For something that is pretty formless, it’s hard to wrap your mind around water being “hard.” Believe it or not, groundwater contains metals, causing it to become hard. Hard water can contain high quantities of calcium, magnesium, or other minerals by absorbing them from soil and rocks.
While this sounds like something that may be potentially unsafe, hard water is more dangerous for your plumbing than it is for your consumption. Minerals collected by water can show up in your pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers as “scale.”
Negative Effects of Hard Water
Having water that is too hard can be more than just frustrating or a little annoying-it can cause serious problems for your plumbing system.
- Reduces water flow through pipes, causing them to clog
- Makes it hard for soap to lather
- Leaves soap scum on your tub and shower surfaces
If you have hard water, installing a water softener is the most cost-effective way to get rid of the problem. Water softeners work by taking the hard water in and literally softening it as it sends the water back out as you use it.
