The Dangers You Could Face When Consuming Hard Water
If you notice stains in your plumbing fixtures, it could be a sign that you have hard water. This is a problem that will not only cause you to deal with serious plumbing issues in the future but will also affect your quality of life and even the condition of your appliances.
What is Hard Water?
According to the U.S Geological Survey, hard water contains high levels of minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium. It is different from soft water, which doesn't contain any dissolved minerals. Solid deposits can form when hard water is heated. It's a water type that is better for cleaning since it doesn't leave soap scum or stains and is safe for the skin because it doesn't strip natural oils.
Signs of Hard Water in the Home
The following indicates that you're using hard water at home:
1. Reduced Water Pressure
A calcium buildup in the pipes could lead to weak or low water pressure as it causes your pipes to shrink in diameter, leading to reduced water flow.
2. Mineral Stains
Newly-washed clothes can show mineral stains if you use hard water for your laundry. It will also likely result in damaged clothing.
3. Spots
Hard water will leave spots on your glasses and plates. These are usually the remains of calcium carbonate.
4. Film
Soap usually reacts to calcium in the water, resulting in a film on your skin. You'll have to use more water to remove soap scum from your hands.
Is Hard Water Bad?
Hard water is dangerous because it can cause some skin conditions and affect your overall health. It can also lead to the following:
1. Clogged Pipes
Low water pressure may seem like an initial problem if you have hard water, but this can quickly lead to more serious plumbing challenges like clogged pipes or sewage backups.
2. Rust Stains
If you see a rusty-colored ring in your toilet, it indicates that it is reacting to iron in the water. Rust stains are one of the hazards associated with hard water, although it could also be a sign that your water comes from rusty pipes.
3. Hair Problems
Hard water causes dry and dull hair and can also lead to a loss of natural shine.
4. Appliance Deterioration
Scale deposits buildup will make water-based appliances vulnerable to breakdowns. Specifically, equipment performance, efficiency, life span, and longevity will be adversely affected. Some appliances that may break down when you use hard water include refrigerators, dishwashers, water kettles, and washing machines.
5. Poor Water Taste
The taste of water can be affected by the presence of dissolved minerals. Bad-tasting water could indicate algae or sediment buildup. Meanwhile, if your water has a metallic flavor, there could be too much iron.
To clarify, hard water has no known adverse effects on your health. People who are deficient in minerals may even find the calcium and magnesium in hard water beneficial.
6. Soap Scum Buildup
Hard water is the reason why soap scum builds up in your bathroom's plumbing fixtures or walls. It can also result in spots on your kitchenware. To get rid of the buildup, you might need to wash your kitchenware more often and make extra efforts to clean your bathroom.
7. Dirty Clothing
Hard water can damage your clothes and may retain dirt and stains even after several washes. Frequent washing, on the other hand, can cause your clothes to become dingy.
8. Health Risks
There are no adverse health effects from drinking hard water, but studies show the possible consequences of continued consumption. The World Health Organization found that people who drink hard water are likely to experience metabolic alkalosis and renal insufficiency.
A Denver plumbing expert also said that high magnesium and sulfate levels could have laxative effects. Nevertheless, available data indicate that most people can adapt to this effect as long as they continue to drink hard water.
Key Takeaway
Hard water is not entirely bad because the minerals it contains are actually beneficial to your body. Still, there are issues about hard water that you have to be aware of since they can affect the condition of your health and home. For example, minerals from hard water can lead to scale deposits in appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, causing them to malfunction.
Hard water can also affect the functions of your piping systems. It is because hard water can lead to mineral deposits that clog the pipes and interrupt the supply to your home. To prevent these problems from becoming serious, a viable solution that you can look into is the installation of a water softener system. As its name implies, this will work on softening water that you use daily. While a water softener can reduce or even eliminate the minerals found in hard water, it can give you peace of mind knowing that any ill effects that hard water can bring have effectively been controlled.
