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INTRODUCTION:
In this post, we’re discussing how hard water can impact your home and health, something that many Australians are faced with, despite many of us not even realizing it. From one section of the country to another, water hardness can vary, but what is common is the way its presence affects day-to-day living. From ruining appliances to hurting your skin, hard water can exact a silent toll in ways you might not readily suspect. We will discuss what hard water does, how you know what to look for, and what you can do to fix the problem.
1. What Is Hard Water?
Hard water is water that contains a lot of minerals, usually calcium and magnesium. It is created when water flows through limestone or chalk formations and dissolves these minerals. In Australia, water hardness levels differ per location. “Areas such as Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne have hard water, and rural areas can have higher mineral content.” It is safe to drink hard water; however, both its effect on your home and your health can be quite costly.
How Does Hard Water Form?
Hard water is formed when water permeates mineral-filled soil and rock. The latter permeates the same rocks and absorbs calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, which are found in higher quantities in the water. This is “hard” because it can become insoluble when heated and deposit mineral scale. Knowing how hard water develops may provide insight as to what it does in your pipes and household goods.
Typical Hard Water Locations in Australia
Water hardness in Australia is very much influenced by the country’s geography. Frequently, in cities, water hardness is pretty high, caused by natural minerals in the environment. The water in cities such as Adelaide and Perth is especially known to be hard, and this has raised concerns among homeowners for plumbing and appliance maintenance.
2. How Hard Water Affects Your Home
Your home can really take a hit from hard water. It can lead to all sorts of problems, from plumbing woes to appliance breakdowns.
Clogging Pipes and Plumbing Systems
The most worrying aspect when it comes to hard water is the mineral deposits that accumulate in your pipes. Calcium and magnesium can build up over time in your water pipes, eventually slowing down your water flow. This accumulation of scale can lead to blockages, increased water pressure, and even corroded pipes. Therefore, you may be left with the expensive job of replacing the pipe or fixing water damage in your house.
How Hard Water Harms Your Water Heater
Hot water heaters are particularly affected by hard water. The minerals in the water coat the heating elements in the water heater, making it difficult to efficiently heat the water. This can cause your water heater to work harder than necessary, resulting in increased energy bills and wear and tear on the appliance. Hard water can cause damage to water heaters, resulting in costly parts such as heating elements or even the need to replace the entire water heater.
Dishwasher and Washing Machine Troubles
Your dishwasher and washing machine are also vulnerable to hard water harm. Mineral build-up can affect the performance of these devices and cause soap and detergent residues to escape through dishes or clothing. If you have them for a long time, they can lose their effectiveness or stop working correctly, and then you are left spending money on expensive repairs or replacements. In households with very hard water, some have said they’ve had to replace their dishwashers or washing machines years before they should have.
Increased Maintenance Costs
The longer you wait to treat hard water issues, the more you will spend on maintenance. From reading full pipes to diminished efficiency of the appliances themselves, the effects of these problems can very quickly accumulate. There are a number of solutions, but routine care is the best way to increase the life of your appliances and plumbing.
3. How Hard Water Affects Your Health
In addition to ruining your home, hard water can also do a number on your health, particularly your skin and hair.
Skin Irritation and Dryness
Hard water may have minerals in it that make your skin feel dry and irritated. When you wash your face or take a shower, those minerals are left behind on your skin, contributing to itchiness and dryness. What’s more, the effect of hard water can be even stronger for individuals with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema. It can trigger these conditions, resulting in flare-ups and more demands for skin treatments.
Impact on Sensitive Skin Conditions
Hard water can exacerbate sensitive skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and rosacea, which no one wants! The minerals found in hard water can clog pores and contribute to clusters of breakouts. Now, hard water is especially hard on those who deal with acne, since it can prevent skin from doing its job, removing dirt and oil. Eczema sufferers can find that the dryness hard water creates can result in sore, itchy areas on the skin.
Hair Damage and Hair Loss
In terms of your hair, hard water can leave your hair dry, brittle, and more susceptible to breakage. The minerals from hard water leave a film on the hair, preventing moisture from penetrating. This can result in an irritated scalp and dandruff, and can soften the hair follicles, making it easier for the hair to fall out. Hard water-treated hair can often look lifeless and frizzy, and this is something Australians want to avoid when it comes to caring for their hair.
Excessive Soap Use
When hard water is involved, more soap must be used in order to lather, and that soap scum travels back to you, leaving residue on your skin and hair. This may lead to Blockage of pores and even result in other skin problems. Aussies with hard water. If you live in Australia, away from the coast, you most likely have hard water, which means you use more soap or shampoo, which means you use more products and spend more money.
4. Signs You Have Hard Water in Your Home
You may not always know if hard water is present. But there are a few clear indicators that hard water is influencing your home and well-being. Here’s what to look for:
White Streaks and Mineral Deposits
Stains on Fixtures and Appliances. Some of the most common signs of hard water are chalky white spots on sinks, faucets, and fixtures. This film is hard water, and it’s what creates those spots on your sink, showerhead, and even your glassware after the wash. With time, these deposits might get harder to clean and make your sinks look ugly!
Frequent Plumbing Issues
One of which is that you are going to experience frequent plumbing problems like low water pressure, clogs, and leaking pipes. If you experience clogged pipes on a regular basis or find that the water pressure in your home seems to have decreased, hard water may be to blame. Having your plumbing checked is crucial in avoiding any further damage.
Skin Dryness, Scalp Itch, and Lusterless Hair
If you have dry skin, an itchy scalp, or hair that’s always frizzy and unmanageable, these are signs hard water is wreaking havoc on your body. And pay attention to how your skin and hair feel after your inevitable bath or hair washing. If it feels raw, dry, ravaged, it’s time to do something about it.
5. How to Deal with Hard Water
There are a few remedies you can try out if you’re faced with hard water in your home.
Install a Water Softener
The best solution for dealing with hard water is to have a water softener. The mechanism of such devices is to extract calcium and magnesium ions from the water and replace them with sodium or potassium ions. This process softens the water, so it does less damage to your home and body. Water softening is particularly helpful in regions with high concentrations of stored water.
Use a Reverse Osmosis System
https://demandfiltration.com.au/reverse-osmosis-water-filters/For homes with really hard water, you may want to consider a reverse osmosis system. This eliminates impurities and minerals from the water, producing soft water which is easier on your skin, hair, and your entire home. If you are interested in the best reverse osmosis system for high water hardness, they are an excellent option.
Install Shower Filters
If you’re extra concerned about the effects of hard water on your skin and hair, you can easily take it a step further by installing a shower filter. These filters are made to remove minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can be found in water when you shower, so that you end up with skin and hair that is exposed to water that is much softer and less abrasive.
Use Vinegar for Cleaning
Vinegar: For moderate limescale buildup on fixtures and surfaces, try a natural remover. Soak the deposits in vinegar and allow them to sit for a couple of hours until the deposits break down and can be scrubbed away. This can save your appliances and fixtures by avoiding long-term damage.
6. Is Hard Water Dangerous to Drink?
Some people are concerned about the safety of hard water for drinking. The good news is that hard water is perfectly safe to drink. The natural minerals (like calcium and magnesium) found in hard water are nutrients that are beneficial to your health, and their presence in your drinking water supply is not a concern. That said, hard water doesn’t always taste great, and if you drink hard water with too many mineral deposits, you can be left feeling queasy.
Health Benefits of Hard Water
Ironically, there have been findings that show that consuming hard water may have some health properties attributed to the calcium and magnesium content. These minerals contribute to healthy bones and balanced blood pressure, which may prevent heart disease and osteoporosis. But the advantages of hard water are subject to dispute, and it’s important that the water you consume is safe from harmful impurities.
Conclusion:
Hard water is one of those common problems that affects a lot of Australians, and it can have a significant effect on your home and health. With all the wear and tear hard water causes on your plumbing, appliances, skin, and hair, it’s something you don’t want to play around with. With some water softeners or shower filters installed and keeping an eye out for signs of hard water, you can protect your home and your own health as well. Film the problem, and you’ll also save money in the process.