How To Tell if You Have Hard Water

By Rehan Iqbal

I’m sure you’ve heard people talking about water. It affects large parts of the US, particularly in the southwest and Midwest. You might not know much about what makes water hard or soft or what the effects of hard water are.

I’ll be providing you with all the facts regarding hard water and how you can tell if your water is hard. There are several signs that your water may be hard. The most obvious is glassware that appears cloudy after washing and faucets with a whit chalky residue around the outlet. Though the problem runs much deeper than unsightly dishes and faucets.

Old tap aerator in hand close up. Kitchen Sink Faucet on the background.

We should begin this discussion by understanding what makes water hard and how it affects you.

What is Hard Water?

The ground and rocks contain several minerals. As water passes over soil and rocks, these minerals collect in the water. Hard minerals, like calcium and magnesium, can occur in high concentrations in areas where these minerals are abundant.

Although your water may appear crystal clear and taste fine, there are probably millions of invisible mineral particles suspended in the water. As the water evaporates, these minerals remain behind and leave a white powdery substance on any surface that has come into contact with the hard water.

Hard minerals cling to most surfaces, even those you cant see. The inside of pipes and pumps are common places for hard minerals to accumulate.

Is Hard Water Bad For You?

There are no real health risks associated with drinking hard water. In fact, minerals like calcium and magnesium are actually good for you. While the water may sometimes taste a little soapy, it is perfectly safe to drink. The only negative effects that you may observe are dry itchy skin and dull hair if you bathe in hard water.

Higher concentrations of minerals in your water may affect the color. It can have a white or cloudy appearance. Even if your water doesn’t look crystal clear, this does not necessarily mean that it is unhealthy. The most harmful effects of hard water lie elsewhere.

Problems Associated With Hard Water

Blocked Pipes are one of the greatest concerns in hard water areas. Limescale develops when calcium collects and hardens inside your pipes. You won’t know it’s there until the pipes become blocked. This can reduce waterflow and pressure. It can even cause pipes to burst.
Appliances don’t work properly. Dishwashers and washing machines may not clean effectively as hard minerals cling to your clothes and dishes when washed. Limescale in water heaters will make them less efficient.
Damaged appliances. As hard minerals collect inside appliances that use water, they can cause damage. Nozzles and pumps can become blocked causing appliances to stop functioning normally.
Soap is less effective. Soap does not lather properly when using hard water.
Staining of fixtures, sinks, showers, and bathtubs are common. As is white spots on clothing and a film that forms on dishes washed in hard water.
Dry hair and skin. Hard water is not good for your skin and hair. It can cause itching and dry flaky skin and hair.

How Do You Know if You Have Hard Water

There are several signs that will indicate that the water in your home is hard:

Reduced water pressure - As limescale collects in your pipes, it restricts the flow of water. You might notice that water flows slowly when you use a faucet.
Water heaters don’t function properly - Hard minerals collecting inside your water heater may cause your water to heat more slowly and consume more electricity.
Spots on your clothing - Laundry washed in hard water will often have white spots and feel hard, even causing skin irritation in severe cases.
Residue on dishes - It is common for dishes to have a white cloudy appearance after being washed with hard water. You may notice white streaks or generally dull appearance.
Film on your skin - You will often notice a mineral residue on your skin when you wash your hands or bathe.
Itchy flaky skin - Hard water can cause irritation of the skin.
Dull lifeless hair - Your hair may be dry and dull.
Damaged appliances - If appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and coffeemakers need frequent repairs, it could be a result of damage caused by hard water. Common problems of blocked nozzles and pump failure.
Staining of fixtures - It is common for hard minerals to accumulate around plumbing fixtures. You may see a white chalky residue on your faucets and other fixtures in your home.
Water tastes bad - Hard minerals can affect the taste of your water.

Do You Need to Test Your Water?

If you observe any of the signs that you have water, you might want to test your water before deciding what to do about the problem. Home testing kits for hard water are quite common and easy to use.

DIY hard water testing kits won’t give you an accurate scientific analysis of your water – you won’t know exactly what is in your water and in what quantities. However, a basic hard water testing kit will give you a definitive answer as to whether your water is hard or soft.

Laboratory testing will provide a more detailed analysis but can be costly. This can be beneficial if you suspect that there are other contaminants, besides hard minerals, in your water. A comprehensive water test will reveal the exact amount of any water contaminant measured in parts per million (PPM). Even more detailed testing can be done for toxins like lead which require an analysis of parts per billion (PPB).

What Should You Do About Hard Water

Once you’ve established that the water in your home is hard, the next logical step is to rectify the situation. The solution is to install a water softener which will remove or alter the hard minerals, providing you with soft water that won’t damage your appliances and fixtures, or stain your clothing and dishes.

Typically, a water softener for well water or city water is installed on the main water supply to your home. This ensures that all your pipes are protected from limescale damage and ensure that the water you use for washing and drinking is soft.

There are several types of water softeners:

Salt-based water softeners : These use salt to ionize the hard minerals. The minerals bond with the salt and remain in the filter. The ionized minerals are then flushed into the drain. These systems require some maintenance as you have to add salt fairly regularly.
Salt-free water softeners: Instead of salt, hard minerals can be ionized in a process known as template assisted crystallization. A filter containing resin beads alter the crystal structure of hard minerals. The minerals aren’t removed from the water, but they will no longer cling to surfaces. Because salt-free water softeners only change the minerals, not remove them, they also referred to as water conditioners. Salt-free water softeners can last up to 6-years without any maintenance.
Magnetic water softeners: This is an electric device that fits around the water pipe. A magnetic field is generated that changes the chemical structure of the minerals, similar to an ion-exchange resin. These devices are often called electronic descalers. Magnetic water softeners are not as effective as the other types but are relatively cheap and easy to install. They can be used where hard water is not such a big problem.

Do You Need a Plumber to Install a Water Softener?

Most people prefer to have their water softeners professionally installed. The installation requires cutting the main water pipe and installing the water softening system on the main water line. Several fittings are needed. If the installation is done properly, you experience water leaks.

If you are confident about plumbing skills, a DIY installation will cost you less. There are many guides available to show you how to install a water softener.

A magnetic water softener may not be the best solution, but you can install them without cutting pipes and installing additional fittings. The descaler clamps onto the pipe and is easily connected to an electric outlet. This is definitely the easiest way to install a water softener, albeit a bit of compromise when it comes to effectively controlling large amounts of hard minerals.