Is Hard Water Costing Your Family More Than Money?
Hard water is perhaps the most widespread problem in American homes today. According to the United States Geological Survey, 89.3% of US homes have hard water – and Fullerton, CA is not exempt from this statistic. Hard water is simply water that has high mineral content, consisting mostly of calcium and magnesium. Hard water is generally not harmful to one’s health; however it is hard on one’s pocketbook and belongings.
The simplest way to determine the hardness of water is the lather/froth test: soap or toothpaste, when agitated, lathers easily in soft water but not in hard water. Hardness in water can cause water to form scales and a resistance to soap. In fact the calcium and magnesium causing the water hardness partly block the oil emulsifying action simple soap formulations use in cleaning action. The calcium and magnesium form an insoluble precipitate observed as a soap scum and extra large amounts of soap have to be used to counteract this. This obviously shows that having hard water costs your pocketbook in the amount of soap you must use in the shower, the clothes washer, and the dishwasher to simply get things clean. The long-term impact that hard water can have on household plumbing and appliances can be extremely costly. The calcifications left behind from hard water can cause corrosion that leads to expensive repairs or even appliance replacements for water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers.
There is a simple way to stop this invariable leak from your pocketbook; a good quality water softening system will solve that hard water problem. With a water softener installed in your home, you will see a considerable decrease in the amount of soaps and detergents needed for even the largest of projects. Less soap and detergent means a longer lifespan of usefulness for clothing and household fixtures. Clothes can last 33% longer with up to 80% savings on soap and cleaning aids and up to 75% savings on wear and tear of your plumbing and appliances. A good quality water softener can save an average family of four between $1,400 and $1,700 per year and can be quite inexpensive to purchase or rent.
There are many products on the market today such as filtration systems, ceramic media, and even magnets that claim to condition your water, but only a water softener or a reverse osmosis /water purifier system can actually soften hard water. With a water softener , your glasses and dishes can sparkle again, your fixtures and shower doors are clear again, and rust and hard water soap scum stains can be a distant memory. A little time and effort spent now on choosing and installing a water softener in your home can save you a lot of time and money cleaning later.
