Many homes in North Richland Hills get their water from underground sources packed with minerals. If that applies to your home, soap won’t lather, and dishes may come out looking cloudy. Knowing how to tell if you have soft or hard water could come in handy.
Below, you’ll learn how to test your water and, if hard water is wearing down your plumbing, choose some potential solutions. You can also contact the most trusted plumbers in North Richland Hills, TX: Triple A AC, Heating, & Plumbing.
How Water-Based Minerals Change What Happens in Your Home in North Richland Hills, Texas
If you’re unsure of how to tell if you have soft or hard water, start by paying attention to the signs around your home. Hard water carries high levels of calcium and magnesium. These minerals stick to your plumbing, coat water heaters, and leave behind a gritty film on every surface that water touches.
By contrast, soft water rinses clean and doesn’t leave buildup behind. Soft water is much safer for your home’s pipes, water-run appliances, and even your skin. If you’d like to check your specific property’s water, a quick water test or a closer look at how your fixtures react could help you implement preventative measures against long-term damage.
Check Your Soap, Skin, and Shower
Minerals in your water cause residue and skin issues that disrupt your daily routine, even when you do everything right. For example, soap scum forms when hard water reacts with your soap. It leaves a filmy residue on shower doors, tubs, sinks, and your hands.
If your soap won’t lather properly, it might be the minerals interfering. Hard water forces you to use more soap just to feel clean. It also dries out your skin and scalp, causing itchiness and flaking even after you have just showered.
Does your hair look duller, tangle easily, or break with little effort? These annoying skin and hair effects often show up before other signs of hard water. Softening the water would leave your hair smoother and your skin feeling cleaner without extra scrubbing.
Check Your Pipes and Appliances
If your property in North Richland Hills has severe mineral buildup, it likely has hard water clogs in pipes. If so, you may notice lower water pressure and slower fixtures because the mineral buildup shrinks openings – not enough water can get through. You’ll also notice faucet heads and valves clogging.
That same mineral buildup coats your dishwasher and water heater. It has to work harder, which tanks appliance efficiency. Your energy bills will rise, and the equipment will wear out faster.
Knowing how to tell if you have soft or hard water can help you spot these issues early.
How To Test Your Water for Hardness
Are hard minerals affecting your pipes and appliances? Test your water!
Experts sometimes recommend using a clear bottle and pure soap as follows:
- Fill the bottle about one-third full with water from any faucet.
- Add a few drops of pure soap that does not contain detergents, dyes, or perfumes.
- Seal the bottle.
- Shake it well for about ten seconds.
If the water forms many bubbles and suds, your water is likely soft. If the water stays cloudy and lacks many bubbles, minerals are present.
For a more precise result, plumbers will use water hardness test strips, which change color to show mineral levels. You can also request a water quality report from your city.
How To Stop Hard Water Damage Before It Gets Worse
If your property is facing hard water, you have some options.
For example, you might start by using vinegar rinses to remove stubborn mineral stains from your fixtures. Installing a faucet or shower filter and using shampoos made for hard water can reduce exposure and prevent skin irritation. For long-term protection, a whole-home water softener removes calcium and magnesium via salt or potassium-based systems.
Whatever you do, don’t wait to take action against hard water. Protective measures will help you start saving money on repairs, endless cleaning products, and premature appliance replacements. You’ll also enjoy more comfortable showers and clothes that feel softer.
Take Control of Your Water Quality Today in North Richland Hills, Texas
That’s how to tell if you have soft or hard water. In the long term, hard water damages fixtures and puts extra pressure on pipes. Ignoring water line leak causes, like scale deposits, will cause issues in your sinks, dishes, and skin or deeper plumbing issues.
Contact Triple A AC, Heating, & Plumbing in North Richland Hills today for quick solutions!