Hard Water Problems: Signs You Need a Water Softener

When you reach for a glass, you notice that the glassware is strangely cloudy. Your laundry is unusually stiff, and your faucets never appear clean. At night, you slather on lotion to combat dry, itchy skin.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you likely have hard water. This water type doesn’t just make cleaning and skincare annoying. Over time, it can shorten the lifespan of your water heater and force it to work harder.

From popular water softeners to effective maintenance tips, we’ll cover some of the problems associated with hard water and what you can do to mitigate these issues.

What “Hard Water” Really Means (And Why It’s Such a Problem)

If you have hard water, it means that there are higher levels of minerals in the water. Calcium and magnesium are normal parts of the water supply, so they’re perfectly safe to drink.

The problem is when these minerals stick to the inside of your plumbing system, fixtures, and appliances. The buildup can gradually restrict the flow of water. In your water heater, it can impact heat transfer, increase wear on your unit, and lead to more frequent repairs. Additionally, hard water can cause other minor annoyances, such as problems rinsing and lathering soap and detergent.

Signs You Need a Water Softener

There are a few common signs you may need a water softener in your home.

White Spots on Dishes, Glass, and Faucets That Keep Coming Back

• What You’ll Notice: You may notice chalky residue on your dishes after they dry.
• What It Means: These mineral deposits get left behind after the water has evaporated.

Soap Scum That Clings to Tubs, Showers, and Sinks

• What You’ll Notice: Your tub, shower, or sink may have a dull film that feels impossible to scrub away.
• What It Means: This occurs if soap reacts with minerals in the hard water. Afterward, it sticks to the surfaces of your tub.

Dry, Itchy Skin or Hair That Feels Dull After Showering

• What You’ll Notice: It may feel like using lotion doesn’t improve your skin’s dryness. Even your hair feels heavy and brittle.
• What It Means: Unfortunately, minerals in hard water can make it difficult for soap to cleanly rinse your skin and hair.

Shampoo, Soap, and Detergent Do Not Lather Like They Used To

• What You’ll Notice: You feel like you have to use more soap or shampoo to achieve the same level of cleanliness.
• What It Means: Hard water is known to reduce the effectiveness of soap.

Stiff Towels, Scratchy Clothes, or Laundry That Fades Faster

• What You’ll Notice: Sometimes, it may seem like the fabric is rough to the touch or doesn’t feel like it was freshly laundered.
• What It Means: This may be related to minerals and excess detergent building up within the fabric.

Clogged Showerheads or Reduced Water Pressure at Fixtures

• What You’ll Notice: When showering or running water, you may notice a lower flow rate or uneven spray. You may also have to clean the fixtures more frequently.
• What It Means: Over time, scale buildup can restrict the aerators and fixture openings.

Frequent Plumbing Annoyances

• What You’ll Notice: Plumbing issues, like leaks and repairs, may happen more often.
• What It Means: Mineral buildup can stress components, which leads to more frequent plumbing repairs.

Bonus Sign: Your Water Heater Symptoms Keep Popping Up

• What You’ll Notice: Pay attention to unusual noises, a sudden drop in your water heater’s efficiency, and inconsistent hot water.
• What It Means: This occurs because scale builds up inside the water heater and affects its efficiency.

What Hard Water Is Doing to Your Water Heater

If you have hard water, there are a few key ways that it is impacting your home’s water heater.

Scale Buildup Acts Like Insulation Inside the Tank or Heat Exchanger

Over time, minerals can settle and harden. This is especially a problem when the water is heated up. As a result, the system can end up using more energy to perform the same task.

You Get Less Hot Water (And It Runs Out Faster)

As the scale buildup accumulates, it can take up added space inside your tank. This reduces the amount of usable water, so you may have to take shorter showers or wait longer for the water heater to heat more water.

Your Water Heater May Get Louder

The accumulation of sediment and scale can cause popping, crackling, and rumbling noises as heat passes through it.

Hard Water Can Shorten a Water Heater’s Lifespan

Thanks to all of these factors, the heating elements, burners, and internal components have to work harder to reach the same temperature. This added strain increases the likelihood of premature wear and unexpected failures.

Tank vs. Tankless: How the Damage Shows up Differently

Depending on which type of water heater you have, the damage can show up in different ways. With a tank water heater, the sediment and scale collect at the bottom of the tank. This increases the amount of noise, slows the tank’s recovery rate, and decreases its efficiency.

In comparison, tankless water heaters are significantly impacted by how scale clings to the inside of the passages and the heat exchanger. As a result, you may experience fluctuating temperatures, reduced flow, and more frequent maintenance requirements.

How to Confirm You Have Hard Water Without Guessing

If you are uncertain whether you may have hard water or not, look for the following clues.

• Spots on your glassware
• Scale buildup on your showerheads and faucets
• Soap that doesn’t lather

There are also other ways to check for hard water. Basic test strips can tell you your water hardness. You can also check your municipality’s water quality report to find out. If you are on a well, you should just schedule a professional water test.

Ultimately, getting a test is essential if you want to treat your home’s hard water. Before you can set up a water softener, you need a professional test and inspection to determine the hardness level, household water use, and the accurate level of water softening required.

How a Water Softener Helps (And What It Won’t Fix)

Installing a home water softener can help in a few key ways, but it does have limitations.

What a Water Softener Fixes

With a water softener, you can achieve the following goals.

• Improve your ability to rinse and lather soap
• Decrease the amount of scale buildup in your appliances and fixtures
• Improve the way your laundry feels
• Reduce soap scum
• Protect your water heater from heavy mineral buildup and resulting damage

What a Water Softener Does Not Fix by Itself

While a water softener has many benefits, it will not fix the following problems.

• Sediment in your water
• Chlorine odors or taste
• Dirty water
• Most water odors that come from the source water or plumbing

Water Softener Sizing and Installation Basics

Finding the appropriate water softener size depends on your household’s size, hardness level, and water use. This decision is also impacted by your peak flow needs, which is when multiple appliances are using water at once.

To install your new water treatment system, you’ll need to have a space near your main water line and a drain connection for the regeneration discharge. You’ll also need a power source for the control head. Wherever you place the water softener, the main goal is to make sure it is treating water before the water can reach the rest of your home.

What to Do If Hard Water Is Already Affecting Your Water Heater

If your water heater is already affected by your hard water, there are a few steps you can take to protect your unit.

Helpful Maintenance Steps

While you can use these DIY steps to protect your system, getting professional water heater repairs and maintenance is the best approach to preventing damage and improving the longevity of your unit.

Start by flushing the tank to remove any sediment buildup. Then, you can check key components to see if they are noticeably impacted by scale.

However, only a few of these components are readily visible, so the best option is to schedule a professional water heater inspection. If you have a tankless water heater, you should schedule a tankless descaling service to improve its performance.

When It Might Be Time to Replace Instead of Repair

You may need a water heater replacement if you notice the following issues.

• Leaks around the tank or connections
• Recurring repairs over a short time period
• Rust-colored water from your hot water tap
• Performance drops that don’t go away

When to Call a Pro

Always call for professional help in the following situations.

• There are loud rumbling or popping noises.
• The hot water seems to be running out much faster.
• The tankless unit experiences temperature swings or flow issues.
• There are signs of moisture, leaks, or corrosion around the unit.
• You’ve experienced repeated clogs or low-pressure issues.
• You need a water softener installed, and you want to have it done the right way.

FAQs

To help you figure out the best solution to your hard water, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions that we hear.

How can I tell if hard water is causing my problems or if it’s something else?

You can tell if hard water is the cause by checking for common signs, such as water spots on glasses, dry skin, and stiff clothing. Because hard water can clog pipes over time, you may notice reduced water pressure. You can also schedule a professional test or buy test strips.

Will a water softener help my water heater last longer?

Absolutely. Water softeners can prevent mineral scale buildup. Because this buildup can clog heating elements and pipes, using a water softener can prevent major sources of wear and damage.

Is hard water the reason my hot water runs out quickly?

Quite possibly. Hard water causes sediment to build up around the bottom of your tank. This forms an insulating layer that makes it harder for the heating element to heat the water and effectively reduces the amount of water that can be heated. To determine if this is the cause for sure, schedule a professional plumbing inspection and maintenance appointment.

Can hard water cause higher energy bills?

Absolutely. When you have hard water, it forms a layer of sediment in your water heater. This makes your water heater work harder to reach the same temperature, which can result in higher energy bills.

However, it’s important to note that there are many potential causes of high energy bills. Because of this, you should always talk to a plumbing expert before beginning any repairs.

Do I need a softener if I already have a tankless water heater?

Yes, you do. Tankless water heaters have smaller, more delicate heat exchangers, so the impact of hard water is often more severe. Over time, hard water can cause scale buildup, increased wear, and a lower system lifespan.

How often should a water softener be serviced?

You should schedule a professional service appointment once per year. If you have an older unit, you may need to get it checked every six months instead.

Between appointments, you should check on the salt levels each month. Once a season, check for leaks and mineral buildup.

Do I still need to flush my water heater if I install a softener?

Yes, you do. The main difference is in how often you have to flush your water heater. With hard water, you often need to flush your tank every 6 to 12 months. Once a water softener is installed, you can often delay your tank flushing to every one to two years.

Is softened water safe to drink?

Softened water is completely safe to drink. The only safety note is for population groups that can’t handle high sodium levels, such as infants who consume formula and patients on a low-sodium diet. Because water softeners replace calcium and magnesium with sodium, they can increase the amount of sodium in your diet.

Prevent Hard Water From Damaging Your Home

For homeowners, the first sign of hard water is often water spots and soap scum. However, these visible signs are only the tip of the iceberg. Inside your water heater, the hard water is causing significant damage.

To avoid expensive repairs, reach out to our experienced plumbers. We can confirm the hardness of your water, address any scale present, and recommend the best softener options for your plumbing system and appliances.

Schedule a water quality and water heater check today to avoid unexpected surprises this season.