Because water is part of our everyday lives, we often don’t put much thought into the quality of it. However, water quality should be at the top of every homeowner’s priority list because it affects almost everything. From the shine of your hair to the longevity of your appliances and plumbing fixtures, your water at home has an impact.
If there’s a well near your home, can you use it instead of your city’s public water? While it’s an option, it’s important to first determine if the water is hard or soft. If it’s hard, it can cause various issues at home. That’s where a water softener can help. Contact a licensed professional to install one so you can enjoy clean well water.
Is Well Water Hard Water? Here’s Everything You Should Know
If you’re thinking about using well water for your home, you might be wondering: is well water hard water?
First, let’s define hard water. Hard water contains excess magnesium and calcium, whereas soft water doesn’t. Because of the high levels of minerals, hard water is harsher on hair, skin and clothes. It’s also not the best for your pipes and water-dependent appliances, causing scale buildups. Hard water and soft water also have different taste profiles. Because of the excess minerals, hard water usually has a chalky texture. Meanwhile, soft water is more neutral or tasteless, with a smoother texture.
So, is well water hard? Unfortunately, that’s usually the case. Well water is generally hard because it comes straight from the ground. Groundwater flows through layers of soil and rocks, absorbing calcium and magnesium along the way. However, that doesn’t mean all well water is hard.
Calcium and magnesium levels differ per location depending on the natural environment and local geology. Your neighbor down the street could have different water quality than what you’re getting at home. Public water from your city might also be hard if it’s straight from sources like rivers, lakes and reservoirs. The only difference is that your city treats the water before it reaches your tap.
If you use well water at home, here are some signs your water is hard.
Soap Scum Residue
If you feel dry and itchy after a bath or notice you have dandruff, that could be the work of soap scum residue. Hard water leaves soap scum residue on everything it touches, including your skin and hair. It can appear as white or gray film.
Mineral Deposits
As hard water dries, it leaves mineral deposits called limescale on your sink, shower area, dishes and glassware. Limescale appears as white spots or stains that can be frustrating to remove.
Water Pressure Changes
Limescale buildup from hard water can eventually clog your pipes and water-dependent appliances. That lowers the water pressure inside your home, which may eventually snowball into more severe issues like pipes bursting and appliances breaking down.
No Lather
If you’re struggling to work up a lather, no matter how much soap or detergent you use, that’s hard water at work. The excess minerals make soaps less effective and prevent them from lathering. You’ll have a tougher time cleaning your clothes, body, dishes and laundry.
If you discover that your well water is hard, you can solve the issue by investing in a water softener at home. Licensed professionals can perform the installation of a water softener and ensure the unit is working efficiently. They can also return regularly for maintenance checks to ensure your water softener remains in tip-top shape.
Do You Need a Water Softener for Well Water?
Well water is more likely to be hard than other water sources. If you use well water at home instead of public water from your city, it’s worth investing in a water softener for various reasons. While hard water doesn’t pose severe health risks, it can cause issues in your home and damage your skin and hair. A water softener can prevent the frustrating and costly effects of hard water.
Water softeners work by exchanging the calcium and magnesium in hard water with sodium through a process called ion exchange. Some benefits of a water softener include healthy skin and hair, clothes that retain their softness and clean and shiny plates. You’ll also protect your appliances and plumbing fixtures.
Here are the damaging effects of hard water that a water softener can address.
Dry Skin and Dull Hair
Unlike soft water, hard water is harsh on the skin and hair. It strips away natural oils and leaves soap scum residue whenever we shower or wash our hands. Hard water makes it impossible to achieve a good lather, causing us to use more shampoo and soap than normal. That leads to dry, itchy skin and dull hair prone to damage. You might notice dandruff, too. It may also lead to more severe conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Stained Dishes, Stiff Clothes and Plumbing Issues
Hard water doesn’t just damage your skin and nails. Your dishes and glassware will also suffer. Hard water leaves mineral deposits called limescale on these items, which can be stubborn to remove.
You’ll feel a difference in your clothes, too. That’s because the minerals in hard water stick to fabrics, making your laundry detergent less effective. It’ll be harder to achieve a lather, causing you to use more detergent. The unfortunate result is rough, stiff and faded clothes. As for your white garments, they will get a yellowish hue.
Hard water won’t spare your plumbing fixtures and water-dependent appliances, either. The mineral deposits will stay behind as water dries in your sinks and shower area, leaving a white, chalky mess. These minerals will also build up inside your pipes and appliances like your water heater, dishwasher, washing machine and coffee maker. That causes clogs and other issues, leading to expensive repairs and replacements.
Financial Damage
If you notice that you’re stressing more often over plumbing issues, hard water might be the culprit behind your troubles. Limescale buildup inside pipes and appliances is one of the effects of hard water, leading to problems like corrosion and water pressure changes. That means spending repeatedly on repairs and replacements.
A soaring utility bill is another consequence of hard water. As minerals build up in your appliances, they will struggle to perform at their best. They will need more energy to function, driving up costs.
Do you have hard water? If you do, you don’t have to put up with it. Installing a water softener will address the issues you’re experiencing. A licensed professional can install the correct type for your needs, ensure it’s working smoothly and perform regular maintenance checks to keep it working efficiently.
How Do I Tell If My Well Water Is Hard or Soft?
Hard water isn’t something you want to have at home. Homeowners who have this issue often choose to invest in a water softener.
Why is hard water so bad? Not only does it dry out your skin and hair and leave unsightly spots on your plates, but it can also damage your appliances and plumbing fixtures. Soap scum residue, mineral deposits and low water pressure are just some signs you have hard water.
If you’re not sure whether you have hard or soft water at home, here are a few tests you can conduct to assess your water quality.
Check Your Consumer Confidence Report
If you use your city’s public water, it should be easy to tell if you have hard or soft water at home. You should receive a consumer confidence report annually, detailing where your water is from and what it contains. These reports could include your water hardness at home. If they don’t, you can always check in with your local water municipality.
In-Home Testing
One of the quickest ways to test for hard water at home is by doing a soap test. All you need is a clean and clear bottle with a cap, water from your tap and pure liquid soap. Fill the bottle a third of the way with tap water and add a few drops of the soap. Give the bottle a vigorous shake and check for bubbles. If there aren’t any and the water looks milky or cloudy, you have hard water. Soft water should produce copious bubbles and the water will be clear.
Advanced Testing
If you want more thorough testing, purchase a hard water kit or send a sample of your water at home to a water testing laboratory.
Contact the Pros to Solve Your Water Supply Woes
Why is water quality so important? It affects all aspects of life, from your drinking water to your household appliances. Call in professional help if hard water is causing you trouble. Licensed professionals will provide an effective solution and can ensure you have clean water at home.
ABC Can Improve Your Water Quality
With all the drawbacks of hard water, many homeowners opt to have a water softener installed in their home. Fortunately, the plumbing professionals at ABC Home & Commercial Services can do all of the hard work for you, so all you have to do is reap the benefits! We can do everything from testing water quality to installing the best water filtration system for your needs.
