Unless you have a water softener, you most likely have hard water running through your pipes. Surprisingly, hard water is found in 80% of American homes. Although a water test can tell you if you have hard water, there are visible signs in your home. Here’s how to tell if you have hard water in your home.
High Utility Bills
Energy bills that are skyrocketing are an indication that you have hard water. Hard water can clog pipes and reduce the efficiency of your water heater. When hard water is heated, magnesium and calcium carbonate scale deposits cause the tank to work harder to heat water, consuming more energy and increasing your utility bill.
White Spots on Your Coffee Maker
A cup of coffee in the morning is essential for a productive day. However, calcium buildup (visible as white spots) can make your coffee take longer to brew or prevent it from brewing at all. A quick fix is to run vinegar through your coffee maker. The acidity of the vinegar aids in the dissolution of mineral particles.
Fabrics fade in the wash, and detergent does not remove stains
Color fading may look good on an old, soft pair of jeans, but it can wreck havoc on colorful bedding! The culprit: calcium and magnesium in your water. These minerals prevent detergents from lathering and removing soil and stains. They can even pierce fabric. Not the look you want on your body or in your home.
Itchy, dry, or irritated skin
Bathing and washing your face and body in hard water can clog pores, cause itching, and irritate your skin, especially if you have fair skin. Know that minerals in hard water can aggravate skin conditions.
Scale Deposits, Film, and Soap Scum Residue
White scale deposits, film, and soap scum residue found where water evaporates and dries are sure signs of hard water. They appear as: Scale deposits on your kitchen and bathroom faucet fixtures; white spots on silverware; film coating your glassware; and soap scum residue on your bathroom tiles and around your tub.
Household appliances do not function properly
Hard water can harm household appliances such as your dishwasher, water heater, washing machine, and boiler (which costs thousands of dollars to replace). The sediment that accumulates from hard water mineral deposits not only reduces water flow and clogs valves, but the pH level in the water can cause erosion. This can cause your appliances to wear out 30 times faster than those that run on soft water.