5 Harmful Effects Of Excessive Exposure To Hard Water

Excessive Exposure

Homeowners with wells as their primary source of water are usually aware that the quality of the water coming from their wells can vary from time to time. Sometimes, the well water can be hard and other times it can be soft.

Hard water has a greater concentration of calcium and magnesium ions than does soft water. These ions are usually present in trace amounts in surface water sources. However, when ground waters get pushed up to the surface through wells, they become hard with high levels of calcium and magnesium ions.

The presence of such large amounts of these minerals causes several problems for homeowners who have wells as their primary source of drinking water.

Keeping reading if you want to know more about how excessive exposure to hard water affects homeowners.

1. Dry Skin and Hair

If you have been drinking and bathing in hard water for a long time, you may have noticed that your skin and hair have become drier than usual. This happens because hard water has a higher amount of calcium and magnesium ions.

These ions react with the fatty acids in the skin and hair when they come in contact with the water, resulting in the formation of soap scum and a buildup of mineral deposits on the skin and hair. The buildup of these minerals on the skin and hair makes them drier and more flaky than usual.

Dry skin and hair can be remedied by using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner while you also consider installing a water softener Herriman, Utah.

2. Teeth Staining

The mineral buildup in hard water is infamous for causing teeth staining. The staining can range from mild yellow to severe brown.

People with sensitive teeth are more likely to experience teeth staining than others do. While you can use toothpaste that has built-to-removes stains as an immediate remedy, installing a water softener is a long-term solution to this problem.

3. Stained Sinks and Bathtubs

Hard water also leaves behind a scaly buildup in sinks and bathtubs. This buildup is usually white or cloudy in color and is often mistaken for soap scum or mineral deposits. It is formed when the minerals in the water come in contact with the soap and other cleaning agents in the water.

This scaly buildup can be quite a hassle to clean, especially from the insides of the sink and bathtubs. Baking soda and vinegar to the water, however, can help clean the insides of your tub and sink.

4. Faded Clothes

Hard water also affects the clothes that you wash in it. If you have been washing your clothes in hard water, you may have observed that they have become faded, especially if they are colored clothes. This happens because the minerals in the hard water react with the fibers in the clothing, causing them to lose their color.

You can minimize the fading of your clothes by using a detergent that contains a water softener. You can also use commercial products like Stash that are dedicated to removing mineral build-up from your clothes.

5. More Costly Bills

Excessive exposure to hard water can also result in a buildup of mineral deposits in heating appliances such as the water heater. The mineral deposits can cause these appliances to break down sooner, thereby increasing your water heater repair costs.

Mineral deposits inside your showerhead can affect its overall performance, making it harder to clean and reducing the water pressure.

In Summary

Hard water is a common problem in the US, especially in the South and Midwest where water is naturally very hard.

The minerals in hard water can leave scaly mineral deposits in your plumbing and fixtures, which will clog the water flow and can also lead to corrosion in the long run. Hard water can also leave mineral deposits in your clothing, which can cause clothes to become dull and faded over time.

The best way to remedy the effects of hard water is to install a water softener in Herriman, Utah.