You may have heard that Utah has hard water, but what does that mean for your home and family? Let’s take a closer look.
You might wonder if there is a safer alternative to the water you currently have. Here’s everything you need to know about the water in your home and the dangers you need to watch out for.
What Is Hard Water?
“Hard water” is water that has high mineral content, particularly minerals like calcium and magnesium. Every home has varying levels of water hardness depending on the mineral content inside the water. While soft water can sometimes taste salty, the harder alternative can appear cloudy or have a funny taste. It can also leave a cloudy film on your dishes and lead to calcium buildup on your faucets.
You might have high levels of minerals inside your water without even knowing it. You can look up the hardness of the water in your area in the Environmental Working Group’s tap water database.
Dangers of Hard Water for Your Family
Water with high levels of calcium and magnesium is usually safe to drink, but other elements in your water can cause serious harm. Here are some of the dangers this water can pose to your family.
- Health Effects of Hard Water – It’s nearly impossible to remove all chemicals and sediments from drinking water. That’s why trace amounts of harmful chemicals like chlorobenzene and dichloroethane might be present in the water you drink. These chemicals are associated with kidney disease, liver problems, and increased cancer risk, even in small quantities.
- Impact of Hard Water on Skin and Hair – Minerals present in water can have serious drying effects on your skin and hair. When you shower, the minerals form a film over your hair and skin that makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate. Over time this can lead to eczema, brittle hair, dry scalp, and itchy skin.
- Hard Water and Clothes – Just like the film from minerals clouds your dishes and covers your skin and hair, the water in your home can deposit a layer over your clothes each time you wash them. This issue causes clothes to be dull and wear down faster and shortens their life. The same thing happens to your appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. Mineral deposits left behind from flowing water can cause premature breakdowns and clogged pipes.
Quick Quality Plumbing Is Here
Sick of dealing with the harmful effects of hard water on your home and family? Quick Quality Plumbing is here to help. We offer a full line of water softeners and filtration systems that will leave you with peace of mind knowing the water in your home is safe. Our professionally licensed plumbers are available 24/7 to help you pick and install a water softener, as well as help with any other plumbing needs you have. We are located in Orem, Utah, and serve clients across Utah County, including Lehi, American Fork, Provo, and Spanish Fork. Contact us today for a free quote!
