It is fair to say that every homeowner expects that their water will be clean, colorless, and harmless; however, this does not always happen. Water with heavy concentrates of minerals like magnesium and calcium, known as hard water, makes its way into homes without notice. First, it shows up as a small spot on a dish or a bit of film on your faucet. But the impact adds up over time, leading to frustration and costly damage. Knowing the warning signs can help keep problems at bay.
White or Chalky Buildup
Chalky film left on sinks, showerheads, and faucets, known as limescale, is one of the clearest indicators that you have hard water. This film results from minerals dissolved in the water.
Your faucets and surfaces will feel gritty to the touch. This film hardens and will impact how fixtures operate over time. For instance, water will not flow from a showerhead properly. The spray may be uneven or barely come out.
Spots on Dishes and Glassware
Hard water is difficult to rinse away. If you notice that there are streaks or cloudy spots on your dishes after handwashing them or taking them out of the dishwasher, minerals are clinging to their surfaces. This can be frustrating, because no matter how much detergent you add, the problem won’t go away.
Many homeowners mistakenly believe that their dishwashers are on the fritz. But the issue is mineral buildup.
Soap That Doesn’t Lather
Hard water also causes soap not to foam well. Many notice that the soap just slides around on their hands or bodies without foaming.
The high concentration of minerals prevents lathering. The same is also true for body washes and shampoos. As a result, you will not feel refreshed after bathing. Clothes may even come out of the laundry feeling stiff because it’s difficult to rinse away detergent in hard water.
Strange Stains in Sinks and Tubs
You may conclude that your sinks or tubs are dirty because you see brown, reddish, or chalky stains. But that may not be dirt at all. Hard water can leave rusty patches or mineral rings.
You will have a difficult time scrubbing away these stains, and even if you manage to get rid of them, they come back quickly. The buildup will eventually damage the surfaces of these fixtures, and you will have to replace them much sooner than you planned.
Appliances Wearing Out Too Soon
Your appliances, such as your washing machine, dishwasher, and water heater, can be negatively affected by hard water. Minerals accumulate inside the appliances and coat the heating elements, which makes them work harder. For example, a water heater filled with limescale must use more energy to warm the same amount of water. This not only puts added strain on these appliances, but it also drastically increases utility bills.
Hard water will not go away on its own. You will need treatment to stop these problems in their tracks. If you see any of these warning signs in your home, it’s time to act and protect your home from long-term damage. For water treatment services in Lexington, TX, call Kimco right away, and we will help you keep these problems at bay.
