Hard water is water that has a high mineral content. Typically, you'll find higher levels of magnesium and calcium in this water. Most city water is treated to ensure residents don't have hard water. However, this type of water is relatively common in more rural areas. According to the EPA, more than 23 million households nationwide use drinking wells for water. For these households, hard water conditioning is a necessity. Let's take a closer look at why water softening is essential.

Plumbing Issues

Hard water is known to cause plumbing issues. The limescale builds on the inside of your pipes, much like food or hair clogging your drain. Over time, this leads to poor water pressure, which can result in the corrosion of your pipes. This is a costly repair that can be avoided with hard water conditioning.

Hair Damage

If you've ever taken a shower with hard water, you're well aware that it can damage your hair. Your hair will feel dry like straw regardless of what shampoo you use. The more minerals in the water, the more it dries your hair, eventually leading to breakage

Skin Conditions

Hard water can also result in dry skin. You may notice your skin is particularly dry or irritated after a shower or bath. People with dehydrated skin will need to use lotion and avoid daily showers until they contact a professional about hard water conditioning. Excessive minerals can additionally worsen certain skin conditions, like eczema or psoriasis.

Inefficient Cleaning

When you use laundry detergent or dish soap, you should be able to trust that things will come out clean. However, that doesn't happen when you have hard water. Instead, clothing and dishes can wind up with a film on top of them. It's common for clear drinking glasses to have a frosty look due to the buildup of soap scum. You'll have to use extra soap to make sure everything is clean, which can be a hassle and also takes a toll on your wallet.

Appliances

Limescale can damage your appliances like it does your pipes. Over time, the small deposits will slowly build up. If you have a water line that goes to an automatic ice maker, it can get clogged. The heating element on your water heater can also be damaged by hard water. You may run into various problems with your washer or dishwasher, too.

Whether you're currently dealing with any of the issues described above or want to prevent them before they occur, hard water conditioning is vital. Kaufman Well Drilling is the name you can trust for all your water softening needs. Contact us today to learn more!