Hard water—which contains minerals including calcium and magnesium— is present in many homes’ plumbing systems. If your house uses a water well, you most likely have hard water. However, these minerals are common in drinking water as well, so it can be difficult to know if your sink is dispensing regular or hard. Below are five signs that this mineral is present in your drinking supply. 

5 Indicators of Hard Water

1. Strange Smell or Taste

An immediate indication of hard water is that your drinking supply smells or tastes strange. If it’s particularly rich in iron, for example, it might taste metallic, or if it smells like rotten eggs, it may contain bacteria and magnesium—or it may just taste like dirt. Regardless, a bizarre taste or smell is a strong indicator that there may be hard water in your plumbing.

2. Mineral Buildup Around Plumbing Fixtures

A visual indicator is a scaly buildup around plumbing fixtures such as sinks, shower heads, and faucets. In other cases, hard water can leave behind rust-like brown or red stains on toilet bowls. This residue occurs due to the buildup of minerals as the water passes through pipes and can be difficult to scrub off.

3. Spots on Your Dishware

Hard water can also leave scaly spots on your dishware. These spots can make the entire dishwashing process more difficult, as it requires you to spend extra effort scrubbing off stains.  

4. Unclean Clothes

Your laundry can be affected by hard water as well. Because of the minerals in the fluid, hard water doesn’t effectively wash away soap or detergent. If you use liquid detergent, your clothes can potentially be stained with the cleaning solution. If you use powder, the hard water can cause it to clump and stick to your garments.

5. Skin Reactions

Aside from your dishes and clothes, you can experience physical reactions to hard water, such as skin irritation. Because the minerals leave soap behind and soak up moisture, bathing in hard water can leave your skin feeling dry and flaky. This can be especially difficult for those with dry skin, particularly children, as the residue can irritate the skin. 

If you suspect that your drinking supply has turned into hard water, contact Do It Right Plumbing and Drain Services in the Greater Minneapolis area. The company’s licensed plumbers work tirelessly to provide full system installations and plumbing repairs, as well as maintenance and inspections. To schedule an appointment, call (612) 388-8524 or visit their website to see a list of their services.