Hard water is water with a lot of dissolved minerals, mostly calcium and magnesium. It isn't a health hazard, but it's hard on your home, your appliances and your patience. Many Florida homes have it. Here are five common signs.
1. Spots on glasses and dishes
When hard water dries, the minerals stay behind as cloudy white spots. If your dishwasher leaves glasses looking dirty even after a full cycle, minerals are a likely cause.
2. Crusty faucets and shower heads
White or chalky buildup (scale) around faucets, shower heads and toilet rims is the same minerals building up over time. It can slowly clog shower-head holes and aerators.
3. Soap that won't lather
Minerals react with soap and make it harder to rinse away. You use more shampoo and detergent, and skin or hair can feel dry or filmy after a shower.
4. Stiff, dull laundry
Clothes washed in hard water can come out scratchy and colors can fade faster, because soap residue and minerals stay in the fabric.
5. Water heater and appliance trouble
Scale builds up inside water heaters, coffee makers, ice makers and dishwashers. Over time that can make them work harder and wear out sooner.
What to do next
The only way to know for sure is to test. Hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm). Once you know the number, you can choose the right treatment, whether that's a whole-home system, a drinking-water system, or both.