When everything is working the way it’s supposed to, you might assume that tap water is pretty consistent in terms of what’s in it and how it can affect your home and your body. In reality, that’s not the case. There are various ways tap water can differ, especially hard water versus soft water. So, exactly what’s the difference? In short, water hardness refers to the amount of dissolved minerals in the water. The higher the concentration of minerals, the harder the water is considered. Areas that use ground water tend to have hard water because as water moves through the rock and soil, it dissolves small amounts of naturally occurring chemicals along the way and brings them along for the ride. People with hard water often opt to install water softening systems in their homes. Over time, hard water moving through the pipes of your house can result in scale buildup, gradually causing them to close up, which reduces water pressure. Other ways you’ll notice hard water effects is in spotty residue on dishes washed in hard water, more detergent required to get laundry clean, mineral buildup around faucets, slow-flushing toilets, rusty rings in the toilet bowl, and slow sink and tub drains. Hard water also affects your body. Your hands will feel slimy after washing them with soap and water, shampoo fails to lather when you wash your hair, your hair will feel dry, your skin will become dry and itchy, and you will likely notice metallic-tasting tap water. If you’re noticing any of these things at home, there’s a decent chance you’re dealing with hard water, and may want to consider looking into ways to soften it.
