Hard water issues are a major concern for homeowners, especially the ones moving to new neighborhoods. Suppose you don’t address the problem of hard water in your home. In that case, you will be exposing yourself and other family members to many dangers, including clogged water pipes, dirty clothing, waterborne diseases, itchy skin, damaged appliances, among others.

So, you need to find a lasting solution to the problem as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are various ways to fix this problem. Here, we tell you what to do when you realize that you have hard water in your house. But first, let’s understand what hard water is.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is water with high mineral content. Water becomes hard when it permeates through deposits of gypsum, chalk, or limestone, which contain large amounts of calcium and magnesium carbonates, sulfates, and bicarbonates. While these minerals are not completely bad for you, hard water residues could contain harmful bacteria, which could cause serious health problems. So, what do you do if you have hard water in your house?

How to Manage Hard Water

Boil Hard Water

Boiling hard water helps to dissolve the calcium bicarbonate minerals present, making it softer for household use. This is a quick and inexpensive way to fix the problem of hard water. However, it is only a temporary solution because it does not remove hardness permanently. For instance, you can’t eliminate the water’s calcium sulfate minerals by simply boiling it.

Use Water Cleaning Acid

When hard water mixes with soap, it causes a chemical reaction that creates soap scum. This is the white solid buildup found in water fixtures like sinks, drains, shower doors, tubs, and tiles. Also referred to as lime soap, this buildup forms because of positively charged calcium particles in the water, which prevents soap molecules from liquefying. As a result, the soap molecules get stuck in water fixtures. But with a water cleaning acid, you will be able to counter the positive calcium particles, allowing soap molecules to dissolve.

Install Water Softener

The easiest and most effective way to deal with hard water in your house is to install a faucet water softener. There are two main types of water softeners: sodium- or potassium chloride-based softener and a salt-free water softener. To cut the installation cost, you can choose to install just a faucet or an under-sink softener. Talk to your plumber for advice on the best option for you.