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Clothes washed in hard
water look “grey” and do not fell soft.
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The minerals in hard
water combine with some soils, making them difficult to
remove.
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Hard water can damage
fibres and shorten the life of clothes by up to 40
percent.
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Bathing with soap in hard
water leaves a film of sticky soap film on the skin.
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Soap film may prevent
removal of soil and bacteria.
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Can make your hair dull,
lifeless and difficult to manage.
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Heated hard water forms a
scale of calcium and magnesium minerals (lime scale
deposits) that can contribute to the inefficient
operation or failure of water-using appliances.
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Pipes can become clogged
with scale that reduces water flow and ultimately
requires pipe replacement. Lime scale has been known to
increase energy bills by up to 25%
Is hard water
a health hazard?
Hard water is not a health hazard. Hard drinking water
generally contributes a small amount toward total calcium and
magnesium human dietary needs. It is more of a nuisance and can
be costly however.
How can I tell
if I have hard water?
If your white clothes appear grey and dingy or if you don’t feel
clean when you wash or if there is a white powdery build-up in
your drinking glasses or cups, you may have excessively hard
water. (Much of the water in Southeast
Wisconsin is hard due to the underground streams
that flow through rocky material.) Your water specialist can
test your water and tell you the degree of hardness. Or you can
obtain a testing kit and find out for yourself.
How do you
treat a hard water problem?
In most cases, a water softener can be used. A chemical
reaction involving salt removes the calcium and magnesium.
Water softeners come in many different sizes and types. A water
specialist can assist you in choosing the best one for your
specific situation.
Do water softeners
add unsafe levels of salt to our drinking water?
Because of the sodium content of softened water, some
individuals may be advised by their physician to bypass the
water softener with a cold water line to provide
un-softened water for drinking and
cooking; usually at the kitchen sink. Softened water is not
recommended for watering plants, lawns, and gardens. In
general, water lines to the outside faucets also bypass the
water softener.
REDDISH-BROWN STAINS
What causes
the red brown stains on my fixtures?
Water can contain high levels of iron. This is not considered
hazardous to your health, but it can cause reddish brown stains
on fixtures, tableware and laundry. These stains can be very
hard to remove. When combined with certain kinds of bacteria, a
reddish brown or yellow slime may form that can clog plumbing
and create an offensive odours.
What is the cure
for these stains?
First, the water should be tested to define the type of iron
causing the problem. Once this is known, one or more solutions
may be employed. Often an iron filter system is used.
BAD TASTES OR SMELLS
Why does my
water taste like iron?
Water can contain high levels of iron. This is not considered
hazardous to your health, but it can cause the water to have an
unpleasant taste. Combined with tea for coffee, it can produce
a black appearance and a harsh taste. If used for cooking, it
may cause vegetables to turn dark.
My water smells awful. What’s wrong?
Unpleasant odours can be caused by a wide variety of issues. For
instance, a failing water heater can cause your hot water to
smell. Well issues can cause a strong odours and possibly unsafe
condition.
What’s the
solution to bad tastes or smells?
Some detective work on your part or with the assistance of a
water specialist is required. Testing may be appropriate.
Solutions can include various kinds of filters, chemical
treatment, aeration, or other actions.
You can call us,
describe the issue and we will offer further advice.
