4 Differences a Water-Softening Appliance Makes When You Have Hard Water
A water-softening appliance could make a difference in your daily life when you have hard water. Hard water is fairly common. Your water can be hard if you have well water or city water. Hardness is determined by the amount of minerals in the water, and this varies by location. You can do a simple water test to find out if you have hard water. However, if you do, you probably already know it by the signs it leaves behind, such as water spots and scale. Here are some differences a water softener can make.
1. No More Scale On Glass
If you've noticed your drinking glasses get cloudy or your glass coffee pot has scale on it, that's due to hard water. Hard water leaves minerals behind on everything it touches and that makes glass cloudy and scaly. The cloudiness can be removed with vinegar, but an easier way to deal with scale on your dishes, glasses, and cookware is to have a water softener installed so there are fewer minerals in the water.
2. Appliances Last Longer
The same scale that builds up on a glass coffee pot builds up inside the coffee maker. All appliances that use water can have scale buildup from hard water deposits. This includes your water heater, washing machine, and small kitchen appliances. The mineral buildup can shorten the life of your appliances. Water softening removes minerals and protects your appliances so they have a chance at a longer life.
3. Cleaning Your Home Is Easier
If you like your kitchen and bathroom to be clean and shiny, the job is more difficult with hard water. Hard water leaves spots on faucets and causes buildup on shower doors. It's a constant problem since every time you use the shower or faucets, more water is left behind to leave more spots and scale.
When you have soft water, the problem with water spots is eliminated so your faucets look shiny for longer. Plus, your shower and tub will be much easier to keep clean because you won't have to spend time scrubbing away scale or buying special cleaning products to keep your tile and porcelain shiny.
4. Plumbing Is Protected
Hard water can be hard on plumbing too. You don't get the chance to clean out the insides of your plumbing pipes, so scale keeps building up over the years. Given enough time, the scale could cause problems with clogging and other issues. Water softening helps your water pipes stay clear for longer so your pipes have a long life and you can avoid costly plumbing repairs that could be prevented with a water softener.