Hard Water Problems

If you live in Tampa you have probably heard about hard water. The Tampa water softener market is one of the busiest in the country. You can't go for very long without seeing or hearing an advertisement for a softener.

So, why is everybody making such a big deal out of hard water. Is it just a bunch of sales hype? Why are Tampa softener companies pushing so hard to get your business?

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

To answer that question you need to know a little about water hardness. This page will help you learn to separate the truth from the hype and allow you to make an informed decision about a water softener.

Water is considered hard when it contains dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. The more minerals it contains, the harder it is. Since these minerals are dissolved, you probably can't see them. "Hard" water doesn't really look or taste any different any different, but that doesn't mean it isn't a problem.

Excessive water hardness can cause several problems in your home. These problems are the reason Tampa water softener sales are so high. The truth is hard water can and does affect families in many ways.

Probably the most easily recognizable problems is it's effect on soaps and detergents. Hard water makes it difficult to create a lather when using soaps and it can significantly reduce the effectiveness of detergents and other cleaning products.

Another very visible effect is the spotting left behind on glassware and dishes. This is due to the minerals in the water being left behind as it evaporates. On your dishes this is just an inconvenience. But the same process can have a much more damaging effect on your plumbing system.

Hard water has several negative consequences for your plumbing system, especially your hot water system. The minerals can cause a build up of scale inside your pipes. This can substantially reduce the flow rate to your home and eventually require an expensive repair.

Your water heater is also at risk from hard water. Scale can build up on heating elements and significantly reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of an electric water heater. Gas models aren't immune either, minerals and scale can have the same negative effects on them.

The bottom line is hard water can create a lot of problems in your home. Some of them are easily visible and some take place "behind the scenes". Even if you are willing to live with the annoyance of the problems you can see, the ones you don't see could wind up costing you a lot of money if not corrected.

Hard Water Problems

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER