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If you’ve noticed a white substance on your plumbing fixtures, you may have hard water. The minerals left behind after running water can leave faucets and tubs looking dirty and can even affect your laundry and dishes. Here’s what to know about hard water and when to call a plumber for help.

What Are the Signs of Hard Water?

Hard water occurs when there’s a high level of minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium, that form a white scale that stains surfaces after evaporation.

The most common signs of hard water are mineral deposits on faucets, showerheads, tubs, and other water-based appliances. This whitish coating can also appear on shower doors, tiled walls, and in your sink basin. Over time, the scale can become so thick that it clogs pipes.

Your laundry can be affected by water with high concentrations of minerals. Clothing will appear faded and dingy, and the material may wear out faster.

plumberDishes and utensils will have a film on them that won’t clean easily, and you may notice soap and detergent don’t lather well. Because of this, your items won’t be as clean as they should be.

Skin may also be itchy and dry after showering. For those with sensitivities or eczema, flareups may occur.

How Can You Treat It?

Even though there are no serious health risks associated with hard water, you’ll want to remedy the issue to protect your appliances, fixtures, and other belongings. To find out the hardness of your supply, have a plumber to test it. A hardness of 7 grains per gallon (GPG) or 120 parts per million (PPM) and higher should be treated.

A water softener is often the best solution. An ion exchange softener replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium or potassium ions to remove hardness. Plumbers can also install water purifiers since they dissolve minerals while treating bacteria and other contaminants in the supply.

 

When you need a plumber to help you solve your hard water issue, contact McGuire Plumbing & Heating. We bring 35 years of service to New London County, CT. From faucet leaks to heating services, our family-owned and -operated plumbing service can handle installations, replacements, and repairs to keep your property safe and running well. For an appointment or emergency services, call (860) 376-3388. Visit the website for more information on our offerings.

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