Hard Water vs. Soft Water
Texas A&M University released water quality information that cited the value of hard water – and contrary to what many of us believe, hard water can be beneficial to our bodies! “Hard water” has high levels of calcium, magnesium, and other metals as part of its content. The more minerals in the water, the harder the water will be. If your water is “rusty” in coloring and taste, you may have high levels of copper or iron.
We know that hard water problems make it difficult to get a good lather for shampoo or showering, is a laundry wash issue (can stain clothing, making it harder to get clothes clean in the washing machine), and sometimes it has an odor and smells bad. When you have hard water problems, you will be challenged by keeping sinks and fixtures clean; minerals can also build-up inside and on important appliances, like water heaters and ice makers. That’s why we think hard water is a bad thing.
Benefits of Hard Water:
Calcium and magnesium are valuable nutrients.
Hard water is less likely to cause pipe corrosion.
Many say hard water tastes better.
Studies have linked hard water to lower cardiovascular disease mortality.
Hard water has less sodium than soft water. “Soft water can be a significant source of sodium and may be of concern to those who need to restrict their sodium intake for health reasons.”
Soft Water:
is water which has relatively low concentration of calcium carbonate and other ions . It contains less than 85.5 parts per million of calcium carbonate.
An interesting website that compares “anything” cites all the problems associated with soft water: None. The sodium content of soft water pros outweigh the cons for most of us.
Parobek Plumbing: We understand what makes Texas water good your preference – hard or soft water – for your home or property is our concern. In fact, that’s our business: We want to help you realize the best quality, best-tasting water using proper, safe circulation. If you’re dealing with hard water problems, let’s do an inspection to ensure your plumbing fixtures, pipes, and appliances are healthy, then examine ways to solve the problems that can result from the too-hard water. Call us today at (512) 910-8123 don’t suffer any longer.
No matter where you go, you will hear people talk about the quality of their water. This is no surprise considering our daily lives rely heavily on the quality and quantity of water available to us. Not all water is created equal. Namely, some are hard (about 85% of water) and some are soft—and the difference is important.
It comes down to minerals, which are annoying in some circumstances and helpful in others. You could take a shower inSeattle and feel like the soap will never wash out of your hair. A shower in Dallas might leave you wondering if you used any soap at all. The difference between hard and soft water isn’t just a bad hair day—we are talking about serious consequences for your plumbing pipes and fixtures.
Compared to soft water, hard water has more minerals—namely, calcium and magnesium from coming into contact with rocks or soil. That means it can more easily bind with soap to rinse it away. Hard water not only rinses away soap, but it also leaves its own residue behind in the form of soap scum and limescale. Hard water states know the importance of frequent cleaning.
Limescale buildup can be found on faucets, shower heads, glass shower doors, tubs, sinks, granite countertops, water heaters and inside pipes. It eventually reduces water flow and, in extreme cases, clogs pipes and puts water-using appliances out of service. In areas of extremely hard water (hello Texas), lime scale buildup has been known to block pipes completely. Although drinking hard water doesn’t pose a safety issue, it can present problems that can be frustrating and costly for Texas homeowners. When it comes to laundry, hard water causes clothes to look dingy, dulls colors and gives whites a grey or yellow appearance. Over time, hard water can damage fabric fibers and shorten the lifespan of clothes by up to 40%. Washing dishes, glassware and silverware in hard water can cause spots and a cloudy coating – even more so when cleaned in dishwashers because the minerals from hard water are released faster under high heat.
Hard water problems? There are products available for softening your water. If you don’t already have one installed, it’s time to get a water softener and filter. You can offset hard water in your laundry room by increasing heat and detergent use. If you have intensive limescale buildup or clogged pipes due to hard water damage, you can always reach out to your friends at Parobek Plumbing. As a Texas company, we are well versed in the woes of hard water. Call us at (512) 910-8123Best Austin plumbing company.
