Although hard water is not considered dangerous, it can impact the appearance and quality of your household appliances. Many homes contain hard water, but it can be difficult to realize the origin of off-putting stains or residue at first. The guide below discusses how water treatment services can benefit the quality of your water.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. You may notice your hair, hands, dishes, and laundry contain residue, feel slimy after washing, or do not appear as vibrant. If you notice common signs like white build-up, stains, damaged or dull clothing after washing, or soap scum in your shower, you may have a hard water issue. In fact, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, 85% of water in American homes is hard. Water treatment services can determine if this is the case through testing.

What Are Water Treatment Options?

Hard water can be treated chemically with detergents and other materials, or manually with a variety of water softening agents. After confirming that hard water is present, water treatment professionals typically use ion exchange water softeners to replace the build-up of minerals with another substance such as sodium.

During the softening process, hard water flows through the softener, and hardness ions connect to resin beads, dispersing the sodium ions attached to the resin bead. This exchange softens the water to clear up mineral scaling.

What Are Associated Problems?

While it’s not typically a health risk, hard water can lead to a myriad of issues around your household. Hard water can form an unsightly white mineral scale in areas like sinks, dishes, and tubs, and even deteriorate the state of your appliances such as dishwashers and water heaters over time. Additionally, it can interfere with washing anything from dishes and clothes to even your hair, or cause an offensive odor or taste.

When you’re in the market for water treatment and maintenance, turn to Gary’s Pump Service in Danbury, CT. For the past 40 years, this locally-owned and operated company has delivered exceptional, efficient service to improve water quality and maintain it through installation, repair, and maintenance services. To get a free estimate on water well services, call them at (203) 744-7826 or visit their website.