How To Tell If You Need a Water Softener for Your Home
Are spots and streaks appearing on your dishes and glasses when you wash them? This is one of the telltale signs that you have hard water in your home. Contact a water company in Jefferson City, MO, immediately to inquire about having a water softener installed.
Hard water contains higher-than-usual levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system, clogging the inside of pipes and damaging plumbing fixtures and appliances.
So, do you need a water softener? Here are several other signs that will suggest it’s time to install one.
Reduced Water Pressure
If your home’s plumbing system is experiencing reduced water pressure and this problem has been worsening recently, hard water could be to blame. It may cause mineral buildup inside pipes, limiting how much water flows through them and resulting in water pressure problems.
Installing a water softener will prevent minerals from accumulating on the interior of pipes. This will help prevent water pressure problems from impacting your home.
Limescale Buildup
Is there a white or yellow residue building up on the faucets or showerheads in your home? This is another sign that you might have hard water entering your home.
You can confirm your suspicions by looking for this same residue on the following:
- Sinks
- Bathtubs
- Shower walls
Seeing this residue in any of these areas will indicate that the answer to the question, “Do you need a water softener?” is probably “Yes.”
Trouble Lathering Soap
When you wet your hands and rub soap between them, it should respond by forming bubbles. If it doesn’t, you might initially think you aren’t using enough soap. However, this could show that hard water has taken hold in your home.
Hard water makes it difficult for soaps, including detergents used in your dishwasher and washing machine, to produce a lather. It may also leave a persistent layer of soap scum on many surfaces throughout your home, making it challenging to keep them clean.
Dry Skin and Lifeless Hair
Everything from cold weather to sun exposure might dry out your skin, so you shouldn’t automatically assume that your home has hard water just because you’re experiencing this symptom. But if you’ve ruled out the other possible culprits, consider the possibility that the cause may be closer to home.
While you’re doing this, check the condition of your hair as well. The minerals in hard water may leave it looking dull and lifeless. Installing a water softener could quickly solve any issues you’re having with both your skin and hair.
Stiff and Discolored Laundry
Getting your laundry done regularly is already a tall task, and hard water might make it even more of a chore. Its high mineral content will likely make your laundry feel stiff when you pull it out of your washing machine.
It might also discolor some clothing and cause certain fabrics to wear out sooner than expected. If any of these signs present themselves, you will know the answer to the question, “Do you need a water softener?” is “Yes.”
The Benefits of Installing a Water Softener in Your Home
Purchasing a water softener for your home will require an investment, but it will be well worth it once you experience all its benefits. For starters, it will leave your dishes and glasses looking and feeling cleaner every time you wash them in your sink or run them through your dishwasher.
A water softener will also provide you with these benefits:
- Water that looks, tastes, and smells better coming from your plumbing fixtures
- Improved water pressure throughout your home
- Faster cleaning times in your bathrooms and kitchen
- Softer skin and healthier hair
- Fewer laundry-related issues
A water softener might also extend the lifespans of refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances.
Do You Need a Water Softener? Schedule a Free Test To Find Out
Mid-MO Water Solutions, formerly EcoWater of Mid-Missouri, will help you answer the question, “Do you need a water softener?” Let us perform a free test to determine whether or not you have hard water in your home so you can see if you should seriously consider installing one.
Additionally, we will help you select the right softener for your home to provide it with enough plumbing protection and show you how you can start saving money with one. Contact us today to learn more about how this simple installation could benefit you and your home.