Hard Water: Is It a Real Threat? Perspective from a Homer Glen Water Softening Company

You’ve probably heard a thing or two about hard water. In fact, you’ve probably heard a lot of negative things about hard water. Now you might be wondering: is hard water really as bad as people say it is?

While hard water is in no way dangerous for consumption, it undoubtedly has negative effects. Take it from a Homer Glen water conditioning company: these are the negative effects of hard water.

While hard water isn’t dangerous for humans to utilize, it can have some adverse effects on the human body. In particular, it can affect the skin and hair. We’ll explain how below.

The reason that hard water is hard in the first place is that it’s inundated with particles of calcium and magnesium. While these particles aren’t detectable with the human eye, they can wreak havoc on the skin.

How, you ask? By sticking to the skin, clogging skin pores, and preventing the secretion of vital oils. The result of this? Dry and flakey skin.

In some cases, this will become so problematic that it can lead to acne or—even worse—eczema. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to do away with the calcium and magnesium in hard water. All you need is a water softener.

Unfortunately, hard water affects the hair in a similar way that it affects the skin. The calcium and magnesium contained within the hard water cling to the hair, causing it to become dry and brittle.

What happens when hair becomes dry and brittle? It breaks, splits, takes on dandruff, and, in some cases, even falls out. Again, however, you can eliminate this problem entirely by installing a water softener.

Hard water doesn’t stop at wreaking havoc on the body. It wreaks havoc on a variety of other entities as well. The other negative effects of hard water include the following.

When hard water dries on surfaces, it leaves behind trace amounts of calcium and magnesium. While not instantly recognizable, over time, these traces can pile up, presenting as a chalky, white substance.

This is known as limescale, and while it’s not a functional detriment, it can impair the aesthetic of sinks, shower heads, and other metal items that come into contact with hard water.

Calcium and magnesium don’t stop at the surfaces of sinks and shower heads. They build up on the interior walls of water pipes as well. Unfortunately, unlike with sinks and shower heads, they can impair water pipes severely.

In fact, over time, calcium and magnesium can build up to the point where they reduce water flow. If left alone, they can go on to restrict water entirely.

In order for soap to be effective, it must combine with water to create suds. Unfortunately, when it meets up with hard water, it has a difficult time doing so. This is due to the calcium and magnesium in hard water blocking the chemical reaction that usually occurs between water and soap.

Soft water, on the other hand, doesn’t have this problem. Because it doesn’t contain calcium or magnesium, it has a full chemical reaction when mixed with soap. As such, soft water does a better job of cleaning.

Are you dealing with hard water? In need of a water softener in Homer Glen, Illinois? If so, Johnson Water Conditioning is ready to help.

Our team of water purification specialists has installed water softeners in thousands of Homer Glen homes, relieving area homeowners from all the negative effects of hard water. We can do the same for you as well.

Contact us now to schedule an appointment!