Is all water created equal? As Aquafina drinkers will tell you, absolutely not. The water which runs through your home either falls into the ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ categories. There are noticeable differences between the two and knowing which you have and what effects it has on your home and health is key to living happily in your home. Hard and soft water are topics frequently discussed between homeowners, and you may be wondering: why? What’s the difference? We’re here to give you the 411!
What makes water ‘hard’, and is it worse than soft water?
When water falls out of the sky, it’s considered naturally soft water. As it falls, it soaks into the ground and picks up deposits which are then carried for the rest of its life cycle, right up until it comes out of your tap. While the word ‘deposits’ sounds bad, it’s not! Minerals such as calcium and magnesium bind to water when it turns from soft to hard, and some a argue it’s good for the human body to consume these. Water can be turned back into ‘soft’ water through the addition of sodium, which neutralizes all the added minerals. You might ask yourself: if it’s not bad to consume, what’s the downside of hard water? While it may not be bad for you, it’s not good for your plumbing or appliances.
Hard water leaves deposits on you and your appliances
Have you ever noticed your dishes have spots on them, even after a full cycle in the dishwasher? Those spots aren’t dirt, they’re mineral deposits from the water used to wash them. Hard water clings to things, whether it’s dishes or your body. Having a plumbing system which utilizes hard water means your soap can’t work as effectively, and you may leave the shower feeling a bit too squeaky (squeaky skin isn’t healthy!). It’s called hard water for a reason: it’s hard on your appliances, plumbing, and skin. Over time, the minerals from hard water are known to build up and damage pipes and appliance mechanisms. This could lead to added costs down the road from repairs. If you’re noticing a white build-up around drains or faucets, or have the telltale spots on your dishes, you most likely have hard water.
Installing a water softener has upfront costs, but might save money down the line
So, what should you do if you have hard water? You can install a water softener, which uses sodium to neutralize the minerals in the water. Common in new homes, water softeners are a simple and effective way to keep the build up from hard water from damaging your home’s plumbing. While there is a cost to install and maintain the water softener, it can be a great option if you’re looking to stay in the home for years to come and don’t want plumbing problems to pop up. While it’s by no means a necessity to living comfortably, you may find the transition from hard to soft water a comfortable one. Chances are, nothing negative will happen for considerable amounts of time – but if it does, contact Sin City Plumbing for all your emergency plumbing needs https://sincityplumbing.com/contact-las-vegas-plumber-vegas-plumbing/
