Water contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Although these minerals are healthy for the body, they could be bad for your health if the concentration in the water is too high.

Water that contains an extremely high concentration of these minerals does not only affect your health, they are also harsh on your home appliances, pipes, and clothes. This type of water is called hard water. The higher the concentration, the harder the water.

This article will help you to identify hard water, what you can do to soften it, and why you should consider softening your water if it is hard.

Signs of hard water

The water in your home is hard if you see the following.

You will realize that your soap does not lather easily. Whether it’s the soap for bathing, washing clothes, or dishes, the soap will not lather easily.

You will also notice soap scums on your clothes, dishes, and on your skin when you wash your skin. Your skin and hair feel itchy or dry after washing. The combination of dissolved minerals and soap causes this.

Your pipes may also get clogged often as a result of mineral deposits. You will see watermarks on your faucets even right after cleaning them.

Benefits of water softeners

Using a water softener is a great way to get rid of the minerals that cause the hardening of water. There are several important reasons why you should treat your hard water with softeners. 

Saves money

You can save money in multiple ways when you soften your hard water. You don’t need to worry about mineral deposits clogging your pipes. When mineral deposits fill up pipes they break and you will need to pay for plumbing services often. 

You won’t need to replace appliances as often since they will be more durable. You’ll also save money on soap and detergents. Hard water wastes soap because it does not lather easily compelling you to use more soap. You don’t need to worry about that when you use soft water.

Finally, you will save on energy bills. Hard water usually causes low pressure for your pipes. This is because the minerals fill up the pipes and the water needs to be pumped at a higher pressure for it to get to your homes.

In the long run, the water softener’s price will be considerably lower compared to the expenses accrued when you have hard water running through your pipes.

Improves your health

Using soft water improves your skin and hair health. Both become more moisturized and soft. You will also get access to fresher water when you soften your water. Hard water has excessive minerals and consuming it regularly isn’t good for your health.

Softer & cleaner clothes

Hard water leaves deposits on clothes and makes them feel uncomfortable to touch. Clothes also fade quickly and they don’t get cleaned properly because the soap does not lather well.

Using soft water to wash clothes properly cleans them and since soft water easily penetrates the fabrics, it can remove minerals. The clothes feel soft when you touch them.

Easier on your pipes & appliances

Using a water softener means that there won’t be scum or mineral buildup in pipes and appliances. Your pipes and appliances will last longer since they don’t need to work harder.

Talk to the professionals

Are you on Google searching “water softener near me”? Live in or near Victoria, British Columbia? We can help.

Hard water can cause a lot of plumbing problems. If you are experiencing an issue with your pipes, our team of experts can help you. At Wades Robert Plumbing, we handle all your plumbing needs and give them all the urgency they deserve.



Want to talk to us about hard water or any other plumbing issue? Call us at 250-883-7545 or complete our contact form to get in touch.