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Soft Water Vs. Hard Water

Undoubtedly you’ve heard the terms soft water and hard water, but what do they mean and what does that mean for your home?

Hard Water: water containing dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. The water’s “hardness” is due to the concentration of dissolved minerals.

Soft Water: water that has been treated to remove the calcium and magnesium, leaving behind only the ion sodium.

Natural rainwater is considered to be soft water as it falls from the sky. Once the water reaches the ground and flows through the rocks, it picks up minerals from the dissolving soft rocks. Water that flows through harder rocks, like granite, remains soft water as the granite does not dissolve.

Hardness levels are calculated by the concentration of dissolved minerals and are measured in grains per gallon (gpg)

Soft water - less than 1 gpg
Slightly hard - 1-3.5 gpg
Moderately hard - 3.5-7gpg
Very hard - 7-10 gpg
Extremely hard - over 10 gpg

But what does this mean for you and your home? There are benefits and downfalls to both hard and soft water. Each serves a different purpose and you can decide which option is best for your household.

Hard Water

Many people enjoy the taste and health benefits from the minerals in hard water. This makes hard water an excellent choice for drinking water; however, it is not as good for your home.

Hard water can lead to dingy clothes, spotty dishes, filmy bathtubs, and dull hair. Soaps become less effective as they react with the magnesium and calcium in the water causing them not to lather as well and the hard water is tougher on appliances while using more energy. Also, the minerals may cause limescale build up inside of pipes which will lead to lower water pressure. Between the extra soap, wear on appliances, excess water use (from rewashing clothes and dishes) and the increased energy bill, hard water becomes costly for your wallet and your home.

Soft Water

Soft water is more efficient when it comes to cleaning. Soaps lather better so you receive a better clean in your washers and your shower. You’ll notice that your shower liner remains scum-free and your clothes and skin feel softer. Soft water also helps to save you money with lower energy bills and less wear on appliances.

However, drinking soft water is not recommended for those with heart or circulatory problems as it tends to be higher in sodium. Soft water is also not recommended for older homes with lead piping as it cannot dissolve the lead enough to become harmless.

Not sure if hard or soft water is best for your home? Interested in installing a bypass valve so that you can have the best of both? Call ASAP Plumbing today at 228-865-2727 or visit www.plumbinggulfportms.com and request a free estimate! We can handle all your plumbing needs including installation, repair and full water heater replacement.

Services Offered at ASAP Plumbing:

Joy Young

I called the number and had to leave a message. Within 10 minutes someone called me back. They came out within a few hours and fixed my drain. Clay, my technician, was professional, and knowledgeable with a great attitude (especially on a hot Friday afternoon)! Fixed my problem in no time. Their service is outstanding. And prices are reasonable for the area. I would definitely use them again!

Stephanie Mellott

Stephanie Mellott First of all, they were ON TIME. In fact, the first visit was early! A slab leak is scary, but within the week, I was scheduled for repair. It took a matter of hours. All of the plumbers were polite and worked quickly and cleanly. When the contractor came to assess the damage to the house, he was so impressed by the lack of damage to my home that he asked me for the name of ASAP twice! Highly recommend this company and their services.

Scott Moore

As a property manager I have used ASAP Plumbing for the last 3yrs to service our 300+ rental properties throughout the Charleston area. They are always very quick to respond and they address all of our work orders in a timely manner. They represent the rental company very well while they are on site communicating our the tenants. I greatly appreciate the working relationship we have with the team at ASAP Plumbing and recommend them for any of your plumbing needs, both big and small.

Soft Water Vs. Hard Water