Hard water (or water hardness) refers to the mineral content within the water. Water falling from the sky is considered soft because it has yet to come in contact with minerals. The water that comes out of the tap has made a long journey to get there, and along the way, it will have picked up any number of contaminants, minerals, and heavy metals that affect the “hardness.” This hardness can differ depending on the area and source of the water. Below is a map of Australia showing the general hardness in each state. The amount of mineral content determines hardness, measured in milligrams per litre.
It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that hard water would taste different, but that’s not necessarily the case. A metallic taste is a strong indicator of hard water, but there are other symptoms that you can keep an eye out for when evaluating hardness: (Source: https://www.yourathometeam.com/hard-water-guide/) There are differing opinions on whether hard water is actively harmful to people. What we know for sure is that it’s not good for your fixtures. Minerals cause limescale and build-up on fixtures, and that white stuff that bubbles around the bottom of your kettle is a sign that hardness is affecting your appliances. If you’re spending your afternoons wiping down the shower screen, that’s another sign your water is hard. In the video above, we show you the differences, and best of all, this is a test you can perform at home. Researchers from the University of Sheffield and King’s College London have discovered that exposing the skin to hard water damages the skin barrier – which is our defence against outside threats such as bacteria or sun burn – and increases the sensitivity of the skin to potential irritants found in everyday wash products such as soap or washing powder. Source: University of Sheffield Studies show that soft water benefits the skin, especially for people with skin conditions. Our customers often reply and tell us the difference it has made in their skin. On top of that, the harder your water is, the more difficult it will be to get your hands or hair clean, as you’ll need more soap and shampoo. In addition to reducing the lifetime of your appliances and fixtures, hard water can lead to blocked pipes and shower heads that restrict flow due to scale build-up. Our Complete Home Filtration system will remove contaminants and soften your water. Our systems filter to 1 Micron with up to 98.5% chlorine removal, other chlorine by-products and a whole range of heavy metals. For more information on our systems, click here or see if you qualify for a FREE test. We also recommend checking out this article on yourathometeam.com for more details on the effects of hard water and some helpful tips about water hardness.
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Signs of Hard Water
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What is Hard Water and How Can You Test for It?
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