Like other parts of the Southwest, hard water (with its deposits of calcium and magnesium) remains a big issue in Houston and in Texas in general. Recent reports have put Houston water at about 8 grains per gallon (GPG) on average, which is considered “hard” by current water quality standards. Hard water can wreak havoc on your home in many ways. Here are 7 reasons why you should get a whole-home water conditioner system like the ones we offer at Houston Water Solutions – one that will combat hard water and more.
Reason No. 1: You’ll Get Softer Skin
In the simplest terms, hard water makes your skin dry. Why is that? When hard water comes in contact with your skin, some of the minerals within the water remain behind. These minerals end up absorbing some of the natural moisture and oils produce by your skin, leaving it drier and potentially causing breakouts or other issues. Hard water also makes it difficult to rinse away soap from the surface of your skin, leaving it irritated. It’s especially bad for those who have sensitive skin, eczema, or psoriasis.
Reason No. 2: You’ll Get Shinier Hair
The same minerals in hard water that make your skin dry also get left behind on your hair. That can translate into hair that feels filmy or limp and looks dull (less shiny). For those who color their hair, it can also make those colors fade more quickly, leading to more frequent treatments. Similar to the effect of soap on skin, hard water can lead to residual shampoo in your hair, and hair that’s hard to lather. In the worst cases, hard water can even cause thinning hair and hair loss.
Reason No. 3: You’ll Get Less Scaling on Sinks and Faucets (and No More Spotty Glasses or Dishes)
When you have a hard water problem, over time you might notice ugly scaling and buildup of minerals you see on glasses and dishes, ceramic tile, and on water fixtures such as sinks and faucets. One of the issues with hard water is that it also reacts with cleaning products, creating soap buildup and soap scum. Finally, really hard water will inhibit suds, meaning you need to use more soap to clean. Using a whole-home water conditioner will soften your water, eliminating those issues.
Reason No. 4: Your Pipes Won’t Get Clogged
The same scale buildup that occurs on sinks also can build up within your pipes, eventually getting to the point of restricting water flow, which means more calls to the plumber. Why not keep your pipes clear and avoid those costs by investing a whole-home water conditioner?
Reason No. 5: Your Appliances Will Use Less Energy and Will Last Longer
Because it causes buildup in pipes and other issues, your water-based appliances (dishwashers, water heaters, refrigerators) have to work harder, expending more energy for the same tasks. Over time, that buildup will also cause your appliances to wear out faster – in some cases, it shortens the life of appliances by one-third. Having softer water will mean longer-lasting appliances that use less energy.
Reason No. 6: Your Water Will Taste Better
Some people say hard water can have a “metallic” taste to it, while others compare it more to a chalky or chemical taste. That’s typically because of the amount of dissolved minerals in it. Because a whole-home water conditioner removes those minerals, you get cleaner, better-tasting water, which will also improve anything you put water into – coffee, tea, or other drinks and food.
Reason No. 7: You’ll Get a Water Filtration System Included
One of the benefits of getting a whole-home water conditioner system from us is that it also includes a reverse-osmosis water filtration system that can remove the contaminants found in your water such as E.coli / bacteria, disinfectants, arsenic, lead, and much more. That means you will not only be rid of pesky hard water deposits, but also those chemicals and impurities that can be potentially harmful to you.
Conclusion
We hope this article has been helpful. You can get started by simply requesting a free water quality analysis from us at Houston Water Solutions. We’ll send a technician to your home and test your water right away, getting you the results quickly so you can make the best decision.