What’s in your water? This is a question that many people don’t think to ask, but it is an important one. The answer depends on where you live. If you live in an area with hard water, then your water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. In this blog post, we will discuss what hard water is, the effects that it can have on your home, and what you can do about it.
Are you looking for a water treatment or filtration solution for your Tacoma home? Reach out to our experienced plumbers today by calling Bob Larson Plumbing LLC.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can cause a variety of problems in your home, including:
- Deposited limescale (a hard, crusty buildup) on faucets, dishes, and glasses
- Clogged pipes and toilets
- Reduced efficiency of water-using appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines
- Soap scum buildup on showers, bathtubs, and sinks
Hard water can also have negative effects on your physical wellbeing, including dry, itchy skin and brittle hair that splits and breaks easily.
What Can You Do About Hard Water In Your Home?
If you have hard water in your area, you can install a water softening system to mitigate the effects hard water has on your home. Water softeners are household systems that a plumber can install for you. They work by removing hard water minerals from water. This process improves your home’s water quality and turns hard water into soft water.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Water Softener?
Once a water softener removes hard water minerals, water can better absorb soaps and detergents, which means less soap scum and residue on dishes, clothes, skin, and hair. In other words, the things you clean will actually feel clean.
Water softeners also help to prevent crusty limescale buildup in pipes and appliances. Limescale forms when hard water gets warmed up, so this buildup tends to form in water heaters, faucets, pipes, and water-using appliances. Having access to soft water will prevent limescale problems with these appliances and plumbing fixtures and increase their lifespan.
In addition to these benefits, water softeners can also help improve the taste and smell of water. Hard water can often have a metallic taste and odor. By removing the minerals that cause water hardness, water softeners can make staying hydrated more enjoyable.
What About Other Substances In My Water?
In some cases, hard water may be the least of your concerns. A number of contaminants may be found in household water. These contaminants can come from a variety of sources, such as water treatment facilities, private wells, and natural springs. Some common contaminants include:
- Sediment from soil erosion
- Chemical contaminants (such as nitrogen, pesticides, metals, etc.)
- Microbes (likes viruses and bacteria)
Keep in mind that there are a variety of water filtration systems available, depending on what you’d like to filter out of your home’s water supply. Before investing in a water filtration system or a water treatment system for your home, it’s a good idea to discuss your options with a professional so that you can be sure you’re getting a system that does what you need it to do.
Tacoma Water Treatment and Filtration for Homes
At Bob Larson Plumbing LLC, we offer multiple water treatment options to help you address your home’s water quality concerns. Whether you’re interested in a water softener or a filtration system, our Tacoma plumbers have the expertise to assist and provide you with a top-quality installation. Schedule an appointment with us today by contacting us online or calling us at (253) 676-9275.