What’s The Difference Between Hard and Soft Water?

Did you know the quality of your water can massively affect the quality of your health and home? Soft and hard water are the two types of water that can significantly affect your home services and yourself. We want to show you the benefits of a water softener installation here at Kinetico San Antonio! 

If you’re wondering how these two types of water make a difference in your day-to-day life, you can compare their benefits! Hard water has a time and a place, but the added minerals can make your plumbing suffer greatly. 

Hard Water

Hard water is water, but with added calcium and magnesium. There may be other trace materials present as well. While this may not seem like a huge difference, hard water can have devastating effects on your plumbing systems and your health.

The higher the amount of minerals present in the water, the “harder” the water is. Because of the minerals, this water causes a variety of plumbing issues that will do long-term damage to your appliances. These range from causing clogs to allowing soap scum to build up, and these problems never truly end well for your plumbing system. 

The effect that hard water has on your health might not be as noticeable as it is on plumbing, but it does prevent you from getting clean. A great example of this is the filmy substance you may get on your hands after washing them. The calcium and magnesium from the water react with the soap, which can prevent your hands from getting clean. 

Soft Water

This water is water without those added minerals. It’s the ideal water for you due to the impact that it can have on your plumbing and your health. The lack of minerals makes it better for showering, plumbing, and cleaning. 

The excess of magnesium and calcium found in hard water can make your hair and skin extremely dry, which is why most people prefer softer water. Turning hard water into soft water is relatively easy. There are plenty of different attachments that you can use to extract these chemicals from your water, removing the risks.

How Can You Tell If Water is Hard Or Soft?

If you’re thinking that your water is too hard for your plumbing and personal health, there are ways to measure how many minerals are in your water. You can either purchase a test for your home from a local water company or choose to look into it yourself. 

To tell if your water is hard or soft, here are some telltale signs you should watch out for:

• Spotty, filmy dishes after drinking water
• Film left on bathtubs 
• “Squeaky” and unclean feeling skin
• Soap that won’t lather

If you notice that your water is hard, then it’s time to invest in a water softener. After minimizing the amount of magnesium and calcium in your water, you should start to notice a big change in your water quality. 

Call Today to Protect Your Pipes

At Kinetico, we can fix your hard water in San Antonio! Whether you’re wanting softer water for your skin and hair or you’re seeing plumbing issues, we are available to fix your hard water problems anytime! We offer plenty of affordable options for residential and commercial purposes, meaning no matter what, you’ll have options available for you.