Hard Water

Do you have a case of the ‘curds’? Soap curds that is! If you are the recipient of hard water, chances are you have curds. Curds are a by-product of soap dissolved in hard water. If you are not softening your water then it is likely that you experience soap curds. Curd is the scum like substance that coats shower walls, dishes, your skin and hair.

Hard water is obtained from water picking up minerals from the ground as it flows. Magnesium and Calcium are the most common minerals picked up that make the water hard. The hardness of your water is dependant on just how many minerals are in the ground and how much the water picks up. It can sometimes be geographically related.

Signs of hard water are clothes that appear to be dingy in appearance, feel scratchy to the skin and shower doors/walls with a film that is hard to remove. In addition to this, your hair may be dull and lifeless and hard to manage. (And you thought it was just you?) Soap curd can also be left on the skin after bathing. It will leave a film that feels sticky.

The above effects of hard water are mostly a nuisance but consider too that they can also affect the systems of your home and ultimately can cost you money. I knew this might get your attention! Hard water affects your plumbing systems. Calcium and Magnesium deposits can build up in the pipes thereby reducing the flow to taps and appliances.

In hot water heaters, these minerals generate a scale buildup that reduces the efficiency and life of the water heater. Water heaters processing hard water are said to operate 20-30% less efficiently when plagued with hard water scale. This same scale can eventually clog plumbing.