Water is important to our survival however few of us give a lot thought to its properties or traits. In any case, whether or not we use it for cleansing, bathing, or consuming, this clear liquid is just about the identical in every single place, proper?

Not precisely. You may need heard that water might be exhausting or smooth. Eighty-five p.c of the US has exhausting dwelling water so there’s a powerful probability that the water coming out of your taps is difficult.

However what does it imply for water to be exhausting or smooth? We reveal all on this exhausting water vs smooth water information.

What Is Onerous Water?

As water flows from its supply to your house, it typically collects minuscule particles of dissolved minerals alongside the best way. These can embody calcium and magnesium, each thought of hardness minerals. The extra hardness minerals current, the more durable the water.

Water hardness works on a sliding scale, measured by grains per gallon (gpg) of calcium carbonate. The US Geological Survey measures water hardness as follows:

• Lower than 1 gpg is smooth water
• Between 1 and three.5 gpg barely exhausting water
• Between 3.5 and seven gpg is reasonably exhausting water
• Between 7 and 10.5 gpg is difficult water
• Greater than 10.5 gpg may be very exhausting water

Most American properties have at the very least reasonably exhausting water. Right here in Columbia, SC, our water hardness measures 1-2 gpg, making it one of many few areas of the US with smooth water.

What Is Delicate Water?

As the size above exhibits, smooth water has minimal quantities of hardness minerals. Delicate water areas embody the Pacific Northwest and New England within the US in addition to some overseas international locations, equivalent to Iceland and Scotland.

Chalk and limestone rocks aren’t frequent in these smooth water areas. Which means rainwater–which is of course smooth–doesn’t decide up harness minerals because it flows from its supply into properties.

The Dangers and Advantages of Water Hardness

Whereas many individuals assume that onerous water is inferior, water high quality can differ for each exhausting and smooth water. And, regardless of whether or not water is difficult or smooth, there are dangers and advantages to contemplate:

Contamination

Onerous water accommodates extra minerals however this isn’t the identical as contamination. Contamination refers to germs and micro organism in water.

In distinction, minerals are helpful vitamins in your physique, contributing to good well being from inside. An excessive amount of of sure minerals can trigger well being dangers, equivalent to renal issues from an excessive amount of magnesium. However consuming exhausting water is unlikely to result in an overdose of minerals.

Water Style

Individuals typically count on that onerous water tastes worse than smooth water due to its excessive mineral content material. The truth is, minerals enhance the style of water, which means that softer water lacks style.

What’s extra, the overwhelming majority of US faucet water and all bottled water is difficult water. Since we’re all so used to consuming exhausting water more often than not, it’s extra seemingly that you just’d discover the style of sentimental water unusual and even disagreeable.

That mentioned, the water coming from your house’s taps may style unhealthy for causes apart from its hardness or softness. Water that tastes or smells bizarre is a typical early signal that you might want to repipe your house.

Clogged Pipes

Whereas we’re with regards to pipes, some individuals imagine that the minerals in exhausting water can clog the pipes in your house. Though this isn’t true for contemporary properties, exhausting water can pose an issue for older properties with galvanized pipes. It is because excessive ranges of calcium and magnesium can follow the within of galvanized pipes.

If your house is greater than 40 years previous and nonetheless has the unique galvanized pipes, a full substitute is so as. The zinc coating on galvanized pipes is liable to rusting and corrosion. This could trigger plumbing issues equivalent to low water stress, leaks, and extra.

However extra crucially, consuming water from these previous pipes might be harmful as you could be exposing your self to traces of lead and cadmium. So, whereas the water in your house could also be contaminated, that is due to the fabric of your pipes slightly than the hardness of the water.

Lifespan of Home equipment

The dissolved minerals in exhausting water might be problematic for home equipment equivalent to scorching water heaters and washing machines.

Sizzling water heaters, for instance, ought to final eight to 12 years, and washing machines 10 to 13 years. Common upkeep checks and yearly plumbing inspections can assist be certain that your home equipment final so long as attainable.

Though, householders in areas with very exhausting water might discover it helpful to put in a water softener too. This could lower the scaly buildup inside home equipment and assist delay their lifespan.

Effectiveness of Cleaning soap

One of the crucial apparent indicators of exhausting water is problem in getting quantity of lather from soaps and shampoos. It is because the minerals in exhausting water lower the effectiveness of cleaning soap. In consequence, individuals in exhausting water areas normally have to make use of bigger portions of washing merchandise than individuals in smooth water areas.

Pores and skin and Hair Dryness

Whereas there’s some debate about whether or not exhausting or smooth consuming water is healthier, there’s little doubt that smooth water is healthier in your hair and pores and skin. The dissolved minerals in exhausting water can strip your hair and pores and skin of pure oils. This causes dryness, irritation, and dullness.

What’s extra, having to make use of extra cleaning soap signifies that there it’s tougher to scrub residue away. In exhausting water areas, the mixed buildup of hardness minerals and cleaning soap residue can worsen dryness and result in limp hair and lackluster pores and skin.

Onerous Water vs Delicate Water: Understanding the Variations

As this tough water vs smooth water information exhibits, there are numerous professionals and cons related to each sorts of water.

Whereas a lot of the US has exhausting water, many American householders are selecting to put in water softeners to achieve entry to softer water. In case you’re contemplating this selection too, do not forget that solely a licensed plumber has the information and expertise to put in a water softener in response to all related plumbing codes.

For extra data or to schedule a plumbing service, contact us right here right now at Plumb Time.