Difference Between Hard Water and Soft Water

If you were to take a bath with soap and rainwater, you would find it easy and there would be lots of bubbles. We would say that your bath water is "soft.

If you were to use tap water for your St. Michael home bath, you might find it difficult to generate lather, and you may notice a ring around the tub when drained.

In this case, we would say that your water is hard.

Water hardness is generally caused by dissolved minerals in your water. Minerals such as lime, calcium and magnesium.

Nature's Role in Water Hardness

The water coming out of your tap had to flow through layers of rock and stone before it got to you. Along the way, your water picked up dissolved minerals including calcium ions.

It is these minerals and ions that make your water hard. Because it contains essential minerals, hard water may be better for you to drink and it may even taste better to you than the alternative.

When ground water evaporates to form rain clouds, the minerals and ions are left behind. Raindrops falling from the sky during a rainstorm accumulate to form pools of what we call soft water.

What Kind of Water is Best for You?

Appreciable differences between hard and soft water can be observed when doing basic household chores. Hard water is commonly to blame for clothing with a dingy appearance.

Glassware and dishes are subject to spotting, streaks and residue when washed in hard water. Bathtubs and sinks develop rings of soap scum and film when hard water is used exclusively.

Hard water can also stress household appliances causing them to burn more energy. Finally, minerals in hard water will, over time, collect inside your pipes and create layers of lime scale deposits that will restrict the flow of water.

Soft or "conditioned" water will not cause any of the above problems and is preferable to some people. Soft water may contain slightly elevated levels of sodium however, and may not be ideal for drinking.

How to Condition Your Water

Folks who do chores around the house love working with soft water. Soap lathers up better, Glassware sparkles, tubs and basins remain scum-free. Skin and hair look and feel better and healthier when washed in soft water.

Utility bills are noticeably lower in households using soft water. To condition your water and obtain these benefits, you will need to install a water softener in your St. Michael home. Some water softeners use sodium to replace calcium and magnesium ions, but not all them work this way.

Modern water softeners will cost between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars to put in and are easy to install and remove, meaning that you may be able to take them with you when you move.

Knowing the differences between hard & soft water in your St. Michael, MN home is important. For more info, call B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C at (763) 497-2290 today!