Water spots on dishes. Poor lather from your soap. A white, chalky substance around your faucet. Are you familiar with any of these issues? If so, you might have hard water in your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, hard water is defined as alkaline water containing dissolved salts that interfere with industrial processes and prevent soap from lathering.
White, chalky calcium buildup indicates hard water.
Water hardness is measured by the concentration of calcium and magnesium in the water. In Oklahoma, the water can be particularly hard. HydroFlow USA’s water hardness report says that the state averages 146 parts per million, with the city of Lawton, Okla., coming it at the highest levels at 161 PPM. The city with the softest water is Stillwater, Okla., with 123 PPM. Residents can use HydroFlow’s interactive map to get details on individual Oklahoma zip codes.
Hard water isn’t harmful, but it can cause a lot of problems around your home’s plumbing. A water softener could help fix these issues. Here are five signs that you may need a water softener.
1. Spotty Dishes
Have you noticed spots or streaks on your dishes even after they’ve been washed? This is a common sign of hard water. When you wash your dishes, the minerals found in hard water can stick to them, leaving behind those annoying spots and streaks. A water softener removes these minerals from your water. This means cleaner dishes without the extra scrubbing.
2. Dry Skin and Hair
Do you or your family members often have dry skin or hair? Minerals found in hard water can make it difficult to rinse off soap and shampoo. This leaves a residue on your skin and hair, which can make them feel dry and itchy. With a water softener, soft water will rinse away all the soap leaving your skin and hair feeling softer and smoother.
3. Minimal Bubbles
If you find that your soap doesn’t lather up the way it should, your home probably has hard water. The minerals in hard water often interfere with the way soap works. Instead of making a nice, bubbly lather, your soap might feel slimy or like it’s not working at all.
When a water softener is installed to remove these minerals, soap lathers up the way it’s supposed to. This makes cleaning easier and helps you use less soap.
4. Dull and Rough Clothes
When clothes look dull or feel rough even after being washed, hard water may be the culprit. The minerals in hard water can get trapped in the fibers of the clothes during the wash. This can make them look faded and feel stiff.
If you install a water softener, your clothes will come out of the wash looking brighter and feeling softer. You’ll also find that they last longer because the minerals won’t break down the fabric as quickly.
5. Chalky Residue On Faucets and Fixtures
A sure sign of hard water is the buildup of a white, chalky substance around your faucets and fixtures. This is called limescale, and it’s made up of the same minerals found in hard water. Over time, it can build up and cause plumbing problems.
A water softener prevents limescale from forming. This not only keeps your faucets and fixtures looking clean but also helps protect your pipes and appliances.
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If you are still unsure if your residence has hard water, Homewater 101, a provided or water treatment solutions, offers an easy way to test water at home using an empty plastic bottle and pure liquid soap. While this test may work for some, a hard water test from a dedicated plumbing company can provide the certainty you are looking for. At Air Assurance, we can help.
Hard water can cause aesthetic problems as well as issues on the interior of your plumbing, which could lead to costly repairs or replacements in the future. If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your home, it may be time to think about getting a water softener. A water softener can help improve the quality of your water and make your home a more comfortable place to live.
In Oklahoma, where hard water is common, Air Assurance can help with the installation of a water softener in your home. Schedule an appointment today. Your dishes, skin, hair, clothes, and plumbing will thank you!