Signs That Your Taps Are Affected By Hard Water

With some household issues, a significant part of the solution is knowing what the problem is in the first place, and this is certainly the case with hard water.

The abundance of minerals that characterise hard water can be somewhat frustrating, but in most cases can be easily resolved with the help of a block salt softener if it is caught before the deposit buildups start to cause damage.

A salt softener stops the buildup of limescale and ensures that pipes retain their flow rate, boilers continue to be efficient and kettles do not need to be thrown out, but knowing that hard water is the cause of issues is sometimes a challenge in itself.

With that in mind, here are some telltale signs that taps and other water fixtures in your home are affected by hard water.

Lower Water Pressure

The biggest issue and concern when it comes to hard water is the effect it has on the water flowing through your home. Limescale deposits can build on the sides of pipes, which eventually limits how much water can flow through them and in some cases cause a complete blockage.

If you struggle with the water pressure from taps or a shower, check your area to see if hard water could potentially be causing it.

Broken Appliances

Because the buildup of limescale means an appliance has to work harder to get to the right temperature, it also causes it to break down far quicker than it would in a soft water area.

This is most visible with taps and shower heads, but can also happen with kettles, irons or even entire boilers.

Distinct Taste

Hard water has a distinct metallic taste caused by the magnesium and calcium deposits in it. 

This is often the easiest and quickest way to tell if you have hard water, as water pressure can sometimes fluctuate in certain areas and cause this sign to be missed.