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How to Tell If You Have Hard Water

It’s easy to take water for granted. You turn on a faucet and out comes clean, clear water healthy enough to drink. Yet sometimes, have Hard Water  that looks, smells, and tastes just fine may not be.

water is a common problem in American households. And while  water can be an essential source of calcium and magnesium, water that is too high in mineral content can be unhealthy. What’s more, water can negatively impact other aspects of your life, like cleaning and bathing, and can lessen the lifespan of water-using appliances.

What Is  Hard Water ?

Water hardness is determined by the number of dissolved minerals, specifically magnesium and calcium, in the water supply. As water moves through soil and rock, it dissolves minerals so that they seep into the groundwater. An over-abundance of these dissolved minerals results in water.

Symptoms of  Hard Water

If you have , you are most likely experiencing the following symptoms:

• Mineral buildup (white spots) around faucets and fixtures
• Soap scum on shower walls, doors, and curtains
• Dry, itchy skin after you shower or bathe
• Skin that feels “squeaky clean” but isn’t
• Flat, dull, dry, or brittle hair
• Need more soap, shampoo, or detergent to work up a lather
• Clothing that fades in color or doesn’t feel clean after washing
• White spots or stains on just-cleaned dishes and glassware
• Odd odor or taste to water
• Premature wear and tear to appliances
• Low flow from water fixtures and faucets
• Frequent clogs in fixtures or pipes
• Water heater elements failing

How to Eliminate Hard Water 

The only proven way to eliminate  in your entire home is with a whole-house water softener. Water softeners work by removing the calcium and magnesium in the water supply through an ion exchange. There are two types of ion exchange water softeners:

• Sodium chloride, the most effective ion exchange softeners, add small amounts of sodium to your water supply.
• Potassium chloride softeners are a great alternative for people who cannot have sodium, however they can be problematic for those with kidney problems.

Suppose you would prefer not to have sodium or potassium added to your water. In that case, we can install a reverse osmosis filter to remove these substances after softening the water.

At Messmer Mechanical, we have the expertise and the outstanding products to correct any water quality problems you might be facing…and that goes for city and well water alike. Contact us today for a FREE in-home water test to determine if you can benefit from a water filtration system.