Hurricane Home Solutions Inc

Understanding the Effects of Hard Water

websitebuilder • Jun 22, 2022

Understanding the effects and damage caused by hard water can help homeowners tackle the problems it presents...

Many homeowners experience hard water on a daily basis, but don't always fully understand the impact or effect it's having on their home and family. Hard water is essentially the product of an overabundance of dissolved minerals, the most common of which by far is calcium. The effects of Hard Water are not always immediately obvious to every homeowner, and the damage that can be caused to your home and appliances by hard water is generally not immediate.


Hardness in water is generally measured in mg/L, or milligrams of minerals per liter of water. 0 to 60 mg/L is generally considered soft, 61 to 120 mg/L as moderate and 121 to 180 mg/L as hard. Anything above 180 mg/L is “very hard” and should not be ignored.


It’s hard to give a blanket description of the water quality of New York State because things vary significantly from region to region and town to town. Lots of areas in Western New York and also some parts of Central New York are known for having hardness levels well into the range of 100-150 mg/L. 


Top 5 Signs You've Got Hard Water

  • Signs of Hard Water #1: Soap Scum

    Dissolved minerals and soap combine to leave a nasty film on surfaces, dishes and fabrics, making housekeeping even more of a chore. You can often find noticeable soap scum in showers and other water fixtures as well.

  • Signs of Hard Water #2: No Suds

    Hard water makes it difficult to get a good lather while soap won’t rinse away. This requires the use of more soap and cleaning chemicals to get the desired effect.


  • Signs of Hard Water #3: Dingy Laundry

    Soap scum sticks to fabric, making sheets and towels stiff and scratchy while fading colors and irritating skin. This slowly causes clothing and other laundry to degrade faster than normal.


  • Signs of Hard Water #4: Clogged Pipes

    With hard water mineral deposits build up in your plumbing like plaque in an artery. This can have effects on everything from water pressure to plumbing damage and repair.

  • Signs of Hard Water #5: Appliance Issues

    That same build-up creates problems with dishwashers and water heaters, reducing their efficiency and decreasing their lifespan. With very hard water you can expect to have to replace or repair your home appliances more often. 


The Negative Effects of Hard Water

Is Your Water High in Iron and Manganese?

Minerals like iron and manganese are known to cause scale buildup and corrosion in your homes pipes, appliances and fixtures. Over time this damage can accumulate and cause major damage to your home. Appliances that constantly cycle hard water are expected to have shorter life spans and to become less effective over time.


Are You Noticing More Soap Scum in the Sink and Shower?

When dissolved minerals combine with soap they create soap scum, which is tough to wash away from your body. In fact, that so-called squeaky clean feeling on your skin after showering is actually caused by sticky soap scum, which dries out skin and hair while clogging pores and causing pimples.



What is the Real Cost of Hard Water?

Hard Water costs homeowners in the way it affects home and personal cleaning products like soaps and detergents. Hard water causes dishwashers and laundry machines to be less effective and lower their lifespans, requiring more frequent replacement or repair. 


If you want to learn more about water softeners, hard water and other water treatment solutions reach out to us directly here on our website. Hurricane Home Solutions service a majority of New York State from Albany to Buffalo and the North Country. Feel free to call us directly at our office in Rochester at (585) 244-0099.

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