Water is an essential part of life. You need it for drinking, keeping your home clean, and washing your body. However, sometimes, it can be so bogged down with minerals that it doesn't perform the way you need it to. Plumbers refer to this problem as "hard water," and this guide will illustrate the signs that it might be the cause of your plumbing woes and how to resolve it. 

How to Tell if You Have Hard Water

1. Scale on Plumbing Fixtures

When hard water is heated, the liquid separates from the deposits, leaving solid scale behind that builds up on the plumbing lines and attached water fixtures. After a while, you should be able to see a white buildup on faucets, showerheads, water heater nozzles, and even at connecting water lines. 

2. Soap Doesn't Lather or Rinse Away

Hard water reduces the cleaning capacity of soap. When using it to wash up in the shower or wash dishes, you might notice it doesn't achieve a nice, bubbly lather. It also becomes difficult to wash the soap off, and in some instances, a scummy residue is left behind on your sink, shower, dishes, clothes, and even your body. 

3. Frequent Plumbing Issues

When limescale accumulates in your plumbing lines, clogs become a regular occurrence. Hard water is known to completely block the lines and cause backups. Deposits left behind in your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine can also cause parts or the entire appliance to fail prematurely. 

What to Do if You Have Hard Water

In most instances, the only real solution for hard water is to see your plumber about water conditioning solutions. This typically involves installing a water softener at either your main water line or beneath fixtures. The device employs a string of negative ions to attract the positive calcium and magnesium ions. After they are removed from the water, the softener then replaces them with positive sodium ions, which are much less harmful to your plumbing system. 

If it sounds like you have hard water, contact the plumbers at Wild West Plumbing Heating & Drain Service about installing a water softener. This family-owned and -operated company provides residential and commercial plumbing and HVAC services to Kalispell, MT, and the surrounding areas. Their team assists with everything from clogged drains to new water heater installations. Call the plumbers today at (406) 752-1244 to schedule an appointment, and visit their website to learn more about their comprehensive list of services.