If you live in one of England’s fine home counties such as Berkshire, you may well be acquainted with water softeners. Perhaps you are new to the area or setting up home for the first time, and did not realise that the south east of England is particularly prone to hard water. Here’s a look at what it is, and the top five signs that you need a water softener.
What is hard water?
Hard water is water that has a high mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium. It occurs naturally in geological areas with limestone or chalk deposits such as the south and east of the UK, because the water is infused with minerals as it filters through the ground. Hard water isn’t considered a danger to health, but it can cause the following issues.
Limescale buildup on appliances
Limescale is a chalky deposit that you may notice building up in your kettle, taps, showerheads, and other appliances that use water. It forms when the water evaporates and leaves behind mineral deposits. It can reduce the efficiency of your appliances and also looks unsightly.
Your skin is dry and itchy
If you are prone to dry skin or have a condition such as eczema, you may have noticed that it is getting worse. This is because the minerals in hard water strip away the natural oils in the skin, making it harder for it to retain moisture. Your skin may be further irritated because hard water makes soaps and shampoos harder to lather and rinse off effectively.
Odd tasting water
Hard water can have an unpleasant taste, with a metallic or salty flavour. This is not harmful but it can discourage you from staying hydrated and make tea and coffee taste worse.
Plumbing issues
Hard water can cause plumbing problems, including clogged pipes, low water pressure and corrosion. This can lead to a great deal of damage and inconvenience.
Less than sparkling glassware
If your beautiful wine glasses are despoiled with spots and stains even when freshly retrieved from the dishwasher, then hard water is the likely culprit, as it leaves mineral deposits on your finest crystal wear. You can mitigate this to some extent by putting a rinse aid product in your dishwasher.
What can you do about hard water?
If you have noticed any of these signs in your home, then you will benefit from installing a water softener. These work by negating the ions that cause hard water and exchanging them for sodium or potassium ions that leave your water soft.
There are a range of different types of water softening devices available, so please feel free to get in touch with us for professional advice.
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