If your water supply is too hard, it can have a variety of negative impacts throughout your home. For example, if your water hardness level is too high, it could place too much pressure on your pipes, potentially damaging your plumbing system. Furthermore, the excess calcium and magnesium ions could also damage your appliances. This means that you might have to spend money repairing or replacing them that you might otherwise not have to.
While hard water can have a negative impact on your plumbing supply, it can also have a negative impact on certain aspects of your health. Some of the top signs of hard water affecting you are skin irritation, dry hair, and dull or brittle nails.
Take a look at a few important points below, and do not hesitate to reach out to an expert who can help you.
What Exactly Is Hard Water?
So, when we talk about hard water, what do we mean? We are talking about a water supply that has a large concentration of hard particles, usually magnesium and calcium ions. While you need calcium and magnesium in your body to power essential functions, having too many hard minerals in your water supply can cause some adverse side effects.
For example, these minerals could collect in your pipes, restricting the flow of water throughout your home. It might mean that your water pressure is a bit low.
In addition, these minerals can build up inside the pipes of your appliances, forcing them to work harder than they might otherwise have to. This could cause certain internal components to wear out more quickly, meaning that you might have to repair or replace your appliances.
If your water hardness level is too high, it can have some negative impacts on your health as well.
Signs of Hard Water and Mineral Deposits on Your Hair, Skin, and Nails
There are several examples of negative impacts you might notice if your water hardness level is too high. Some of the most common impacts that you might detect include:
Dry Hair
Hard water can have a negative impact on your hair. When you wash your hair, you probably use a clarifying shampoo and conditioner to remove contaminants, debris, and dirt. If your water hardness level is too high, you might notice that your shampoo is not nearly as effective, as you may have a difficult time forming inadequate lather. This might make it difficult for you to clean your hair and scalp properly.
In addition, you might also notice that your hair is a bit limp and dull. It might not have the same vitality that it usually does, and the color of your hair might even start to fade. If you add extra color to your hair, you will probably notice that the coloring products do not work as well.
You will need to reduce the water hardness level in your shower if you want to fix this issue and ensure healthy hair growth. Otherwise, you might notice more hair loss, hair breakage, and other signs of damaged hair due to mineral buildup.
Irritated Skin
Hard water can also have negative impacts directly on the surface of your skin. For example, you might find that you are itching and scratching your skin more often than you usually do, particularly your scalp. Then, when you scratch your scalp, you might notice your skin starting to flake, so you may even see more dandruff falling on your shoulders, arms, and chest.
While hard water can have a negative impact on your scalp, it can impact the skin on other parts of your body as well. If you have eczema or atopic dermatitis, you might notice that your symptoms start to get worse. Your skin might start to turn red, and you might need to itch and scratch all over your body, particularly when you get out of a hot shower.
You may even notice some unusual residue on the surface of your skin after washing your hands. There might be a strange film that you simply cannot seem to get off easily because your water hardness level is too high.
Brittle Nails
If you expose your nails to hard water, including your fingernails and toenails, your nails will eventually start to get dull and brittle. Your nails probably have some nice color to them, but if you chronically expose them to hard water, they will start to get a bit dull.
In addition, your nails might start to get brittle as well. This might mean that it is easier for you to break or scratch your nails, which can become frustrating. This problem will only get worse if you continue to wash your hands with hard water, so you need to rectify the issue as quickly as possible.
How To Get Rid of Hard Water
So, if you are looking for ways to get rid of hard water, there are several options available. First, you might be wondering how to get rid of those annoying mineral deposits in your hair and on your skin. Then, you will need to find a way to remove hard water from your plumbing system entirely.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinses Make a Great Hair Mask
If you want to get rid of hard water deposits from your hair, you may want to try using apple cider vinegar. Numerous types of vinegar have been shown to break down mineral deposits, regardless of where they are located. Of course, you need to choose a relatively minor vinegar that is not going to sting or damage your hair and skin.
Apple cider vinegar could be exactly what you need. First, you need to take one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Then, mix the apple cider vinegar with two cups of filtered water. You need to put the water through a water filter before you mix everything together.
Then, mix the ingredients thoroughly, and apply them to your hair. It should be enough to remove any hard water that might be present in your hair.
Invest in a Water Softener System
Even though this rinse can be beneficial for your hair, you also need to figure out how to get rid of hard water from the plumbing system in your home. The best way to do so is to go with a water softener.
A water softener has been specifically designed to remove excess magnesium and calcium ions from your water supply. The water in your home will be put through an advanced system that will replace the calcium and magnesium ions with other positive ions, such as sodium and potassium, giving you soft water that is not going to be irritating to your body or plumbing supply.
There are plenty of water softeners available, and you need to figure out which one is best for your needs. If you are looking for the best water softeners on the market, look no further than DROP.
Get Soft Water for Your Home With the Right Water Softening System From DROP
You should not have to deal with irritated skin, frizzy hair, and brittle nails. The best way to rectify these issues is to invest in a smart water softener from DROP, and experience the many benefits of soft water.
At DROP, we have a variety of systems available, including a our water filters and smart water softeners to ensure you have a steady supply of quality water throughout your home. Take a look at our selection of products today, and give us a call to speak to a member of our team.