Hard Water
What is hard water?
A problem very common to Pennsylvania, hard water is water that has a high mineral content. Typical minerals are calcium, magnesium and iron. Most homes in the area have hard water, regardless of whether it has been supplied by the municipality or a private well. More often than not, homeowners don't realize that they have been supplied hard water or the harm that it can cause. Central PA Soft Water can install a water purification system in your home to resolve these issues.
Common signs of hard water.
Common issues include... dry skin, skin irritation, coloring or damaging of hair, clogging pipes, damage to boilers, water heaters or other water using appliances.
Is hard water harmful?
Much of the water we use contains traces of minerals. Water is considered hard if it has a high concentration of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium in it. These elements are picked up by groundwater as it passes around and through soil and rocks. Although Hard Water is not considered dangerous, there are some issues that make it problematic:
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Property Damage—Over time mineral deposits from hard water can build up, erode, and discolor shower heads, plumbing fixtures, drains, water appliances (like your washing machine) and rubber faucets creating leaks and significant damage. Softened water can reverse the effects of scale build-up in clogged pipes, too.
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Skin Irritations and Dull Hair—Washing in hard water can cause your skin to be dried out and itchy. If you have skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and Psoriasis, it will cause these conditions to flare and inflame. Washing hair in hard water can contribute to mineral build up and that makes it dry, frizzy, and straw like.
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Cleaning and Clothing—Scaling, which is the mineral deposits left behind on all surfaces are difficult to remove and can cause chemical reactions with cleaning products making them less effective and meaning more product is required to properly clean surfaces. This in turn can create more aggravation for sensitive skin. Clothes washed in hard water also have a shorter life span due to damage done to their fibers, can look soiled, and be scratchy and coarse to touch. Hardness ions consume soap, therefore you need to use more soap to overcome this. You will use 50% to 70% less soap and laundry detergent in the shower, clothes washer, car washing, dish washer, etc.
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Added Energy Costs—Hard water causes a scale barrier to form on hot water elements and decreases efficiency. This scale can fall off the heating elements and start filling your hot water tank with calcium. This is a good place for bacteria to hide and grow, causing musty water odor and health problems. If you install an on-demand hot water heater, a water softener is a must to keep it working properly, otherwise it will get consumed by hardness scale, making it impossible to super heat your water. The use of a water softener can eliminate these problems and provide a healthier water environment for your family.