Hard water exists in approximately 85% of American households. So, if you believe your household has hard water, you are probably right. But how do you know for sure if you have hard water? And how does hard water affect laundry?
Hard water typically consists of higher-than-normal levels of calcium and magnesium. The more of these minerals you have in your water, the harder the water. Sometimes, hard water is harmless. Other times, it can cause serious issues with your plumbing. If you require the help of a local plumber in the Arizona area, look no further than Plumbing by Jake for help!
Signs You May Have Hard Water
The best way to tell if you have hard water is when you notice that chalk-like white build-up around the faucets in your home. Another way to tell is if you notice a change in the color of your hair, and you haven’t recently dyed it. Hard water can change your hair a brassy color, like red, orange, or yellow.
So, of course, it stands to reason that if hard water can affect your hair color and your faucets, it must have some effect on your laundry, and it does.
Here are some additional issues that may signal to you that you have hard water:
- Less water pressure in your shower head
- Glassware that has mineral build-up and breaks easily
- Consistently dry skin and hair
- Ever-increasing water bill
- Clogged pipes and drains, particularly those connected to your washing machine and dishwasher
If you think you may have hard water, you may be interested in pursuing a water treatment plan. If so, you can count on our team at Plumbing by Jake to provide you with an efficient and cost-effective plan that will soften your water and improve the quality of life for both your family and your appliances!
How Hard Water Affects Your Laundry
Unless you treat your water, the excess calcium and magnesium will cling to the fabrics in your laundry and cause it to feel stiff. Hard water can also discolor the fabric, leaving the colors in your laundry looking dull. In extreme cases, water can be so hard as to compromise the fabrics in the fiber, causing them to break. The result is holes in your expensive clothes and fabrics.
Hard water can force you to replace more than just clothes sooner than you expected. It can also cause appliances to break down, and it can force you to use twice as much detergent trying to get your laundry clean. When you treat hard water, there are a host of comforts that come along with such treatment, including:
- Your bathroom fixtures stay clean and don’t get that chalky build-up, leading to less effort and money spent on your part trying to keep them clean
- It’s easier to keep your hair looking the way you want it to look
- You save money on your energy bills, as well as repair and replacement costs, when your appliances are running smoothly
- Your clothes last longer and look cleaner
The bottom line is, treating your hard water both saves you money and improves your family’s comfort level.
Confirming Your Suspicion
If you suspect you have hard water, you can purchase a water testing kit as a DIY option. You then send out the sample to a lab, and the lab will report back with the results. You should strongly consider testing your water if you use well water.
If, however, you’re on a municipal water system, the administration should be regularly informing you of the levels of minerals in your water supply.
Hard Water Issues? Plumbing by Jake Can Help!
If you have hard water, you may require the help of a licensed professional to soften it, saving you hundreds of dollars in costs, clothes, and appliances. At Plumbing by Jake, we have years of experience dealing with hard water. Just call 928-379-7691, or use the contact form on our website to set up a service call.
While hard water may not be an emergency situation, we want you to know that we have a team of emergency plumbers standing by for all of your plumbing needs, emergency or not. We strive to provide our customers with a 100% satisfaction guarantee because we want to be the company you depend on for all your plumbing issues, big or small.
Plumbing by Jake services many locations throughout the Arizona area, including Kingman Mohave County. So, if you need a plumber in the state of Arizona, don’t delay – call Plumbing by Jake today!
