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 Last Revised: 2/3/2025
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Have you ever noticed white spots on your dishes after they’ve been through the dishwasher? Or have you felt like your skin and hair are unusually dry after a shower?Â
These issues are no mystery – they stem from hard water running through your home’s plumbing system. But what exactly is the difference between hard water and soft water? Â
If you’re dealing with these symptoms, you may want to keep reading – in this article, we’ll define hard water and cover the adverse effects on your health and plumbing system before sharing how to test your home’s water supply. We’ll also explore the best solution to hard water: water softeners.Â
At Mattioni, water treatment is what we do. But we know that it can sometimes be confusing to fully understand. We’ve been in business for over 75 years, and we’re here to share what we know to make your homeownership experience less of a burden.Â
Let’s start things off by discovering where hard water comes from and what exactly it is.Â
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What is Hard Water?Â
Hard water forms naturally as rainwater seeps into the ground and passes through layers of soil and rock. As it moves through the ground, water picks up calcium and magnesium, contributing to its overall concentration of minerals and its hardness.Â
These minerals are particularly abundant in areas with limestone, chalk, or gypsum formations – an easily overlooked aspect of our geography. The official threshold that defines hard water is that with a concentration of over 60 ppm of minerals.Â
The good news is that if you have hard water, it’ll make itself known and you can solve it. The bad news is that if ignored, hard water can wreak havoc in many ways. Â
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The Health and Plumbing Problems Caused by Hard WaterÂ
Although hard water is harmless to drink, its high mineral content can take a toll on your body in other ways. For instance, when showering hard water interacts poorly with soap and forms a layer of residue on your skin instead of a lather. This residue can linger on your skin and hair, making them feel less clean despite repeated washing.Â
The long-term effects of showering with hard water can be excessive dryness, itching, and exacerbating of conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Similarly, hair consistently washed with hard water may become brittle, lose its shine, and become coarse due to mineral buildup.Â
Unfortunately, the problems don’t stop there.Â
You already know that hard water can leave white spots on dishes, but did you know it’ll also take its toll on your plumbing system? Hard water notoriously causes scale buildup – a chalky layer of calcium and magnesium on the inside of pipes, fixtures, and appliances. Over time, this can lead to several costly issues if left unaddressed:Â
- Reduced water flow due to scale buildups narrowing pipes, which can restrict water pressure and increase energy use.Â
- Damage and efficiency losses to appliances like water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers as scale buildup impedes heating elements.Â
- Accelerated wear and tear on all plumbing components, which will lead to more frequent repairs or make replacements needed sooner.Â
The impact of hard water reaches far and wide, damaging our health, plumbing, and household energy usage. If you suspect you may have hard water and want to be sure, there are a few ways to test it out.Â
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Testing Your Home’s Water Hardness
Testing for hard water is straightforward and is essential for knowing when a treatment system is needed.  Â
Test strip kits are an affordable way to easily and effectively gauge the hardness of your water. Simply dip the strips into your tap water, or add a few drops from a dropper, and compare the resulting color to the chart provided with the kit.Â
Digital hardness meters are another great way to measure your water’s concentration of harmful minerals. These range in cost (the most affordable options are under $10) and are even easier to operate than a test strip kit. Simply dip the probe into your water, and the meter will display a digital reading of the hardness level with a high degree of accuracy.Â
If you’re unsure of the accuracy of these testing methods or want to get a more thorough evaluation of your home’s water hardness, consult with a professional plumber. A plumbing expert will not only be able to tell you if you have hard water or not, but they’ll also provide you with actionable steps you can take to address it. A Mattioni VIP membership is a great strategy to secure your long-term water quality, as it includes one free water test per year (among many other benefits).Â
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Addressing Hard Water with Water SoftenersÂ
Dealing with hard water doesn’t have to be complicated. Depending on your water’s hardness level and your household needs, a water softener might make sense for you.Â
Water softeners are installed close to your main water line, and contain a tank filled with resin beads that attract and absorb calcium and magnesium ions and exchange them with sodium, which is harmless. The mineral ion exchange process results in soft water, which is then sent on its way throughout the rest of your home’s plumbing system. They must be replenished with new resin beads periodically to retain their effectiveness. Â
Water softeners are a direct solution to hard water that can keep your home’s water supply healthy for you and your plumbing system into the foreseeable future.Â
If you have other concerns about the health and safety of your water, consider exploring other systems designed to keep it clean and drinkable.Â
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Next Steps: Ensuring Your Home’s Water QualityÂ
Now that you understand what hard water is, where it comes from, ways to test for it, and how to address it, it’s time to take action. Follow these steps to ensue your water is working for you, not against you:Â
- Test your water using one of the methods described above.Â
- Evaluate your household’s needs, including health considerations and plumbing concerns.Â
- Research and choose the best water softening system for your situation.Â
- Consult with a professional plumber at any step in the process to ensure optimal results of your water softener installation.Â
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The Clear Choice for Better WaterÂ
Knowing the difference between hard and soft water is more than a matter of curiosity – it’s an investment in your home, health, and finances. By taking the time to test your water and explore treatment options, you can enjoy healthier skin and hair, longer-lasting appliances, and a plumbing system free from scale buildup and efficiency losses.Â
When you’re ready to bring in a professional plumber, reach out to our friendly staff at (610) 400-8510 or book a consultation directly online. Â
With over 75 years in business, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners solve issues with hard water – and we’re here for you too.Â
Don’t let hard water be an ongoing burden. Take control today and experience the benefits of soft, high-quality water for years to come.Â