If you’ve noticed stubborn stains on your sinks, dry skin after a shower, or cloudy dishes after a wash, you’re likely dealing with hard water in your Indianapolis home. Unfortunately, hard water can cause a variety of household problems that affect your appliances, plumbing, and even your skin and hair.
In this guide, we’ll explore what hard water is, the telltale signs, and how to fix hard water in your Indianapolis home to keep your plumbing system running smoothly.
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What is Hard Water
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. These minerals aren't harmful to your health but can cause issues for your home and appliances. Hard water is especially common in areas like Indianapolis, where there is a large amount of limestone bedrock.
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Signs of Hard Water
Hard water can show up in a variety of ways in your home, including:
- Stains on sinks, tubs, and toilets: If you notice chalky, white deposits or rust-like stains on your fixtures, it’s likely caused by mineral buildup.
- Soap doesn’t lather well: Hard water reduces soap's ability to lather, making it harder to wash your hands, clean dishes, or bathe effectively. This also causes an increase in soap scum both on your skin and on your surfaces.
- Dry skin and hair: The minerals in hard water can strip your skin and hair of moisture, leaving them feeling dry and irritated.
- Clogged pipes and reduced water pressure: Over time, mineral deposits can accumulate in your plumbing, causing reduced water flow and frequent clogs.
- Spotty dishes and dull laundry: Your glasses and silverware may come out of the dishwasher with spots, and clothes may look dingy even after a wash.
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How to Fix Hard Water
When it comes to fixing hard water in your home, long-term solutions like water softeners and whole-house filtration systems are the most effective for providing lasting protection and improving water quality.
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Install a Water Softener
One of the best options for fixing hard water in your home is to invest in a water softener. Water softeners work by using ion-exchange resins to remove calcium and magnesium from the water, replacing them with sodium or potassium. This process effectively "softens" the water, preventing mineral buildup in your pipes and appliances.
You can either choose a salt-based water softener or a salt-free water softener. A salt-based softener is a traditional system that uses sodium to replace hard minerals. They are highly effective and popular in homes dealing with significant hard water issues.
Meanwhile, a salt-free softener conditions the water rather than fully removing the minerals, making them a good alternative for those looking to reduce sodium intake or lessen environmental impact.
Using a water softener is an effective way of addressing the hard water problems in your Indianapolis home. By limiting the mineral content in your water, they provide a number of benefits such as:
- Extending the life of your appliances and fixtures
- Providing cleaner water and therefore cleaner clothes and showers
- Reducing costs and potential environmental impact
- Limiting plumbing repairs needed
If you already have a water softener system and are still experiencing hard water issues, you may need to have a plumbing professional assess your system to see if any maintenance is necessary.
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Install a Whole-House Water Filtration System
Another great long-term solution to hard water is to install a whole-house water filtration system. These systems still do the work of a water softener and provide all the same benefits, but their all-encompassing filtration addresses more than just your hard water needs.
In addition to softening the water—and solving any hard water problems you may have—these filtration systems remove potentially harmful contaminants from your water including chlorine, metals, bacteria, microplastics, and more.
If you’re struggling with hard water but already have a filtration system, it may be time to have a plumbing professional come and assess your system.
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Hard water is a common issue in Indianapolis homes, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. By recognizing the signs and choosing the right solution for your plumbing system, you can protect your home and improve water quality.
At Ciriello Plumbing, we promise expertise, honesty, and efficiency to the homes and businesses we service in Greater Indianapolis, including Carmel, Fishers, & Greenwood. From residential plumbing repairs to commercial installations, our expert team is dedicated to providing exceptional craftsmanship and unparalleled customer service. For reliable plumbing services you can trust, contact Ciriello Plumbing Solutions today.