If you’ve installed a water softener in your home to help with hard water and mineral build-up, you may be wondering how to know if your equipment is doing its job. There are a few signs that something may be amiss with your setup and that either servicing or replacement is necessary. Here are four to watch for.

How to Tell Water Softeners Aren’t Working

1. Itchy Skin

Bathing in hard water leaves skin dry and itchy. If your softener system is functioning properly, you will immediately feel a difference in the texture of the water, and your skin won’t feel so uncomfortable. Sometimes, this issue comes from not enough salt pellets in the brine tank. If you have a sufficient supply, however, call for service.

2. Mineral Deposits

Hard water will leave spots on fixtures, plumbing components, shower doors, dishes, and glasses. You may also notice scale and mineral deposits building up on faucets, pipes, shower heads, and other areas. When this occurs, it could be time for a replacement, or you just may need a plumber to adjust settings.

3. No Lather

While soft water suds well, hard water barely creates any lather. As you wash dishes or your hands in the bathroom, lack of bubbles is a clear sign the water softener is malfunctioning, which may leave your items looking less clean. Older water softeners or those with a faulty control valve will need replacing.

4. Stiff Laundry

Another area that is affected by hard water is the laundry. Minerals such as calcium and magnesium interfere with water and detergent, forming a sudsy solution, which leaves soap scum behind and a residue on clothing. This causes stiffness and a dingy appearance. Clothing also won’t feel as clean as it used to when the softener was working well.

Serving Kerrville, TX, since 1999, H2O Specialists is the company to call for residential and commercial water treatment needs. These plumbing contractors are available for any project, from drain cleaning to installing water softeners to improve water quality in your space. Call the plumbers today at (830) 895-7575 to schedule an appointment, and visit their website for more information.