Water spots on dishes. Crusty build up on the dishwasher or around the faucets. The need to use more laundry soap than is recommended to get clothes clean.
These are just some of the problems caused by hard water. So what exactly is “hard water?” It is water with a higher than normal mineral content. The two most common culprits are magnesium and calcium. Much of New Mexico groundwater is high in mineral content and considered to be hard water. While hard water does not pose a health risk, it does cause a host of issues for a homeowner.
1. Mineral build up.
One of the most obvious signs of hard water is mineral build up in the home. Particularly, this is common around faucets and other sink or shower fixtures and in the dishwasher.
2. Difficulty Cleaning.
Hard water can result in difficulty cleaning in a number of areas. Dishes—whether washed by hand or in a dishwasher—often come out with water spots. Shower walls and doors are coated with a thick residue that is created when the minerals combine with soap, making cleaning difficult.
3. Reduces the life of your appliances
Mineral build up is obvious on shower doors and faucets but it also forms to places you can’t see like your water heater and dishwasher. Hard water can decrease the working life of water-using appliances by up to 50%, causing the need to seek out replacement appliances much sooner.
4. Plumbing Problems
Similarly, hard water can cause mineral deposits that clog and over time can deteriorate the pipes, especially if you have copper plumbing in your home. The mineral buildup eats away at the plumbing which can cause pin hole water leaks over time.
5. Excess Soaps & Detergents
Additionally, hard water makes soaps and detergents less effective, which commonly causes homeowners to use additional soap in order to ensure clean dishes and laundry. Finally, many homeowners turn to expensive chemicals and cleaning agents in order to fight the effects of hard water.
Recognizing hard water in one’s home is the first step in dealing with the problem. Once hard water is identified, a homeowner can seek out solutions, such as water softeners which work to decrease mineral build up and eliminate hard water issues. A quick simple test can find out how hard your water really is so you can find a solution that works best for you and your family.