Many people never think about the quality of their water, as long as it appears clean and clear. However, water contains differing amounts of naturally occurring minerals, which can make it hard or soft. If your home has hard water, it can lead to severe issues with your plumbing. To keep your water supply fresh, learn how to tell if you have hard water and how a water softener can help.

How to Know if You Have Hard Water

1. Cloudy Glassware

If you notice that glassware comes out of the dishwasher with an opaque film, that’s a clear sign that you have hard water. This condition is characterized by a high concentration of harmless minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. These minerals build up on glasses or dishes and cause spotting. Installing a water softener helps to filter these minerals out of the water and keeps your glasses shining.

2. Dingy Laundry

The minerals in hard water make laundry soap less efficient and can cause a graying of whites and dulling of colored clothes. Hard water also can make clothes feel rough and eventually wears on the fibers over time. Softening the water will help clothes last longer and retain their actual color and make laundry detergent more effective.

3. Build-up on Fixtures

If you have hard water, eventually, there will be a build-up of white or brownish minerals around the taps and faucet fittings, as well as inside the holes of the showerhead and in the pipes. This not only looks unappealing, but a buildup of lime or calcium scale can decrease water pressure and make a showerhead less effective.

4. Stains 

Hard water will cause unsightly staining in toilets, sinks, and tubs that can be challenging to remove unless you use specific mineral removing cleansers frequently. White water spots will show up on metal fixtures and mirrors, as well. You’ll likely notice a buildup of soap scum in sinks and the tub, a result of the ineffective mineral and soap interaction, similar to what happens with laundry. 

If you have hard water, installing a water softener will improve the results of cleaning and laundry and reduce the need to clean specific surfaces as often. Lammel Plumbing Inc., in Beatrice, NE, sells and installs water softeners as well as provides a full range of residential plumbing services. They are your go-to plumbing choice in the Beatrice area, offering excavation and installation of septic tanks and systems. Call (402) 223-4132 today for a quote or emergency service, or visit them online to see a full range of offerings.