Hard water is caused by minerals that dissolve in water. We know all about hard water in San Antonio and the Hill Country. When hard water dries up and minerals are left behind, spots appear on washed dishes and on shower windows and walls. Hard water can shorten the life of appliances and clog pipes. It can also dry out your skin and hair. It is possible to get rid of hard water by installing a water softener. Magnesium and calcium are to two most common minerals found in San Antonio water.

Magnesium

Magnesium is essential to the human body. It helps with everything from blood pressure regulation to nervous system communication. Too little can be very dangerous, but too much is one of the main causes of hard water. It is natural in rivers, oceans and even rain water, so eliminating it completely from your water isn’t the goal. It is also in unnatural things such as plastic and fertilizers, which is another source of it ended up in your water.

Calcium

Calcium is also another mineral that is naturally in water. It is abundant in the earth’s crust, so it is in our oceans and rivers. Calcium is also essential to the human body, but too much can be dangerous. It forms in large amounts in San Antonio water due to the rocks it passes through underneath the ground.

Health effects of hard water

There is an ongoing debate on whether hard water is dangerous or beneficial to your health. Some doctors say it can help prevent heart disease, while some say it can actually cause it. Some doctors say it has no effect on your health at all. Regardless of the health debate, we know the damage hard water can cause to your hair, skin, appliances, laundry, dishes and pipes. It is best to test the levels of each mineral in your water to see if you are getting too much or too little of either.

At home test for hard water

Here’s a way to see if you have hard water.

Fill a bottle up halfway with water. Add ten drops of liquid dish soap. Shake the bottle up. If the soap suds up and is very bubbly, you don’t have hard water. If there are only a few bubbles, there is a good chance you do have hard water.

If you think you have hard water and want to explore ways to change that, contact Kinetico San Antonio today.

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