What is Hard Water?

If you have lived within Jacksonville, Florida or surrounding areas, you may have noticed a white powdery substance forming within the appliances, usually the dish washer or shower area. What you are seeing is high mineral content. Hard water is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone and chalk which are largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates. These minerals dissolve into solution and are carried through the water into plumbing distribution systems, thus the term hard water. Very hard water has a measurable level of 7 to 10.5 grains per gallon of hardness minerals.

Hard water levels can very greatly, based on your geographic location you may have very high levels of hard water or moderate to low. Depending exactly on where you live will tell you if you have a moderate to low level of hard water or very high levels. If your hard water level is high you may want to provide a solution immediately. Consequently, if your hard water levels are moderate to low you may take no action at all, or you may opt to control the effects of hard water manually.

Hard water interferes with almost every cleaning task from laundering and dishwashing to bathing and personal grooming. Clothes laundered in hard water may look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy. Dishes and glasses may be spotted when dry. Hard water may cause a film on glass shower doors, shower walls, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, etc. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and look dull. Water flow may be reduced by deposits in pipes.

Water Softeners are a cost effective permanent solution to hard water problems. These appliances filter hard water minerals from the water before it gets a chance to come into the home and cause problems. The captured hard water minerals are then flushed down the drain. Water softeners differ by type, size, technology and price.