Once you’ve had a water softener in your home, you probably don’t know how you could’ve lived without one. However, it can be difficult to tell when it’s time to invest in a replacement until it’s too late. Before you know what’s happening, you will start to notice hard water stains on your drinking glasses or a soapy film on your skin that won’t come off after you’ve showered.
While you can certainly Google “water softening equipment Barrington IL” and find a water softener after you realize that your home is plagued with hard water, it’s best to know when to replace your water softener before that time has come.
Water that Tastes Different
Soft water may not have a flavor, it does have a smoother feeling that makes it more pleasant to drink. Meanwhile, hard water might have a slight chalky taste from the increased mineral content.
Shampoo that Won’t Lather
One of the biggest complaints that people have about hard water is that it just doesn’t lather well when it’s mixed with soap or shampoo. If you suddenly find yourself having to use more shampoo or body wash than usual when you take a shower because you can’t build up a good lather, your water softener may be to blame.
Uncomfortable Clothes
Clothes that have been washed in hard water might feel stiff, scratchy, and downright uncomfortable when you put them on. Adding some fabric softener will alleviate the problem somewhat, but a new water softener will work much better.
Slow Drains and Crusty Buildup Around Your Faucets
Hard water can leave mineral deposits behind in your plumbing over time. This will lead to slower drains as your water has to flow through narrower pipes as well as an unsightly buidup of calcium on the outside of your faucets. This might not appear until long after your water softener has died, but it is still a definite sign that you have hard water.
While hard water technically won’t hurt you, it can still make life a little more difficult. Contact someone near you to install a new water softener if you notice that your water isn’t as soft as it once was.