If you notice spots on freshly washed dishes, limescale-(aka buildup) on your faucets or in the tub, or dull-looking clothing, chances are your home runs on hard water. Tampa is notorious for its hard water, which is why many Tampa residents install a water softening system in their homes.
Not sure if you need a water softener? Our plumbing team at Integrity Home Solutions discusses the many benefits of water softening systems to help you decide!
What is Hard Water?
Water is considered “hard” when it has high levels of minerals such as calcium or magnesium, which can be particularly harsh on your hair, skin, and plumbing. The higher the level of calcium and magnesium, the harder your water and therefore the more buildup and issues you will experience.
Calcium and magnesium from hard water can cause bathroom tiles to lose their shine and look dirty, even if your bathroom is clean. It leaves residue on showers and sinks, as well as inside pipes, which could cause plumbing damage over time.
Signs of Hard Water
If you answer yes to any of the following questions when washing dishes, showering or doing laundry, then you likely have hard water:
- Do your faucets have watermarks and spots on them even though you just cleaned them?
- Is there a lot of lime and chalk buildup in the sinks and on the walls of your shower?
- Is your white clothing dingy and are your colors fading fast?
- Does your water taste strange or smell bad?
- Are your skin and hair dry and itchy after you get out of the shower?
- Does your house have low water pressure?
- Are your appliances wearing out more quickly than they should?
- Do your dishes have residue or watermarks on them after they dry?
Nearly 85% of the United States has hard water, and Tampa Bay is no exception.
If you are experiencing any of these issues in your Tampa Bay home, call our team at Integrity Home Solutions for a water softener consultation; 813-473-6007!
Benefits of a Water Softener
There are many benefits to installing a water softener in your house including the following:
Cleaner Hair and Softer Skin
If you enjoy taking long hot showers, soft water can be extremely beneficial for your hair and skin. Because soft water lacks minerals that can dry out your hair and skin, it allows you to enjoy a deeper lather from your soap and shampoo. Beyond the lather of soap, soft water doesn’t strip you of the natural oils in your skin and hair the way hard water might.
With a water softener, your skin will hold moisture better, and your hair will shine with a more balanced pH level.
Money Savings
Since soft water lacks the minerals that can cause buildup in your pipes, you can save money on costly repair bills. Mineral buildup in pipes narrows the path that water can follow, requiring a higher pump pressure.
Mineral buildup can wreak havoc on your appliances and plumbing system.
Installing a water softener allows you to forgo those calls to the plumber and can help your water heater, dishwasher, laundry machines, and other appliances run more efficiently, thus reducing your utility bills!
Cleaner Dishes
If you live in a hard water-drenched area like Tampa, it can be difficult to keep your dishes clean. No matter how many times you clean them, your glass and silverware have a cloudy appearance as soon as they dry.
A water softener can help you overcome this issue, removing hard minerals before they have a chance to build up on your dishes. Plus, since soft water fosters better lathering, you will have more cleaning action in your dishwashing routine.
Softer and Brighter Laundry
A water softener can prevent the negative effects that hard water can have on your laundry while making them softer to the touch and preserving its condition.
- Brighter clothing: If your home runs on hard water, you are washing your laundry in mineralized water that leaves deposits. Over time, these minerals can cause colors to fade and whites to look dingy.
- Cleaner clothing: Soft water cleans clothing more effectively. Because it dissolves detergent completely, you can use less detergent when washing and you might not need to use fabric softeners at all.
Extends the Life of Your Plumbing System
Water that contains high amounts of minerals can cause build-up and corrosion inside the pipes of your home, leading to leaks, rust, and other damage over time.
Soft water doesn’t leave any minerals behind in your pipes thus extending the lifespan of your entire plumbing system and keeping it running efficiently.
Get Softer Water Today
Tampa Bay is well known for its hard water. Don’t let hard water cause buildup on your dishes, dingy clothing, clogged pipes, and dry hair and skin anymore! Call Integrity Home Solutions for a water test and water softening consultation today to experience all the wonderful benefits of soft water.
Don’t wait! See and feel the benefits of a water softener for yourself! Call IHS today; 813-473-6007!
