Water is part of our daily routine—from drinking and cooking to cleaning and bathing. But what if the water flowing from your taps isn’t as clean or safe as you think? Many homeowners deal with hard water, contaminants, and plumbing issues without realizing the impact on their health and home. Fortunately, hard water solutions can help improve water quality, protect appliances, and make everyday tasks easier.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water is water with too many minerals, mostly iron, calcium and magnesium. As water moves through rock and soil, it picks up these minerals.
Hard water is safe to drink, but it can cause plumbing problems, appliance wear, and skin irritation. Over time, minerals build up inside pipes, making them clog. It can also make water heaters work harder and leave stains on sinks, tubs, and dishes.
Signs You Have Hard Water:
- White, chalky buildup on faucets and showerheads
- Spots on dishes and glassware after washing
- Soap that doesn’t lather well or leaves a sticky film
- Dry skin and brittle hair after showers
- Scale buildup inside dishwashers and coffee makers
Knowing how hard water affects your home is the first step to fixing it.
How to Test Water Quality for Hard Water
The easiest way to find out if you have hard water is to test it. There are a few simple at-home methods, but for the most accurate results, a professional water test is best. Here are three ways to check your water:
1. DIY Hard Water Test
A quick way to check for hard water at home is the soap test:
- Fill a clear bottle about halfway with tap water.
- Add a few drops of liquid dish soap (avoid soaps labeled as “moisturizing” since they contain additives that can affect the test).
- Shake the bottle well for a few seconds.
After shaking, observe the results. If the water creates lots of foam, your water is likely soft. If there’s little to no suds and the water looks cloudy, you likely have hard water due to extra minerals like calcium and magnesium.
2. Water Hardness Test Strips
For a more accurate way to check for hard water, you can use test strips. You can easily find these in most hardware or home improvement stores. Not to mention, they’re pretty easy to use:
- Dip the strip into a glass of tap water.
- Wait a few seconds for the strip to change color.
- Compare the color to the chart that comes with the kit.
This test will show how hard or soft your water is, but it won’t tell you exactly what minerals are in it.
3. Professional Water Testing
If you want detailed results, a professional water test is the best option. At Five Star Home Services, we use advanced testing equipment to measure:
- Hardness levels (calcium and magnesium content)
- Chlorine and heavy metal levels (like iron and lead)
- Bacteria or other harmful contaminants
After testing, we’ll explain your results and recommend the best hard water solutions to keep your home’s water clean and safe.
Why Do Hard Water Solutions Matter for Your Family?
Hard water doesn’t just affect pipes and appliances—it can also cause skin problems, hair damage, and higher energy bills. Using the right hard water solutions is important for your home and family.
1. Healthier Skin and Hair
Have you ever stepped out of the shower only to feel like there’s still a layer of soap on your skin or shampoo in your hair?
Hard water makes it harder to rinse off soap and shampoo, which can leave skin feeling dry and irritated. It can also make hair dull and brittle. Installing a water softener removes these minerals, helping your skin feel smoother and your hair stay softer and healthier.
2. Longer-Lasting Appliances and Plumbing
Minerals in hard water build up inside pipes and appliances, making them less efficient and causing early wear and tear. A water softener helps prevent this, allowing your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine to last longer and work better.
3. Cleaner Dishes, Laundry, and Surfaces
We’ve all been there. You pull out a clean glass from the dishwasher only to see it’s covered in little spots. Hard water leaves spots on dishes, makes clothes feel stiff, and causes soap scum on sinks and tubs. With softened water:
- Soap and detergent work better
- Laundry feels softer and cleaner
- Glassware stays spot-free and shiny
4. Lower Energy Bills
When minerals build up in water heaters, they have to work harder, using more energy. A water softener reduces scale buildup, helping your water heater run more efficiently and lowering utility costs.
5. Better-Tasting Water
Hard water can have a metallic or bitter taste due to extra minerals. A water filtration system removes unwanted particles, giving you cleaner, fresher-tasting water.
Investing in hard water solutions doesn’t just protect your plumbing—it improves your water quality, lowers costs, and makes daily life more comfortable.
Signs You May Have Hard Water or Contaminants
If something seems off about your water, it could be due to hard water minerals or contaminants affecting its taste, appearance, or plumbing performance. Here are some warning signs that your home may need hard water solutions:
1. Unpleasant Taste or Odor
Does your water have a metallic, bitter, or chlorine-like taste? A sulfuric “rotten egg” smell could indicate hydrogen sulfide, while a chlorine scent may suggest excessive chemical treatment.
2. Cloudy or Discolored Water
Rusty, brown, or cloudy water could mean there’s sediment, rust, or bacteria in your plumbing system. Hard water minerals may also cause hazy water that leaves behind residue.
3. White or Chalky Residue on Faucets and Dishes
If you notice a chalky buildup on fixtures, spotty glasses, or soap scum that won’t wash away, hard water is likely the culprit. This buildup comes from calcium and magnesium deposits, which can shorten the lifespan of your plumbing and appliances.
4. Stains in Sinks, Tubs, and Toilets
Reddish, orange, or brown stains in sinks and tubs often signal excess iron in your water. Blue or green stains may indicate corrosive water damaging your pipes.
5. Frequent Plumbing Issues
Hard water can cause scale buildup inside pipes, leading to clogs, reduced water pressure, and frequent plumbing repairs. If you’re constantly calling for plumbing fixes, hard water could be the underlying issue.
6. Skin Irritation or Dry Hair
The high mineral content in hard water can strip away natural moisture, leaving skin dry and itchy and hair feeling brittle and dull.
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it may be time to explore professional hard water solutions.
Hard Water Solutions: How to Fix Your Water Quality
If testing confirms that your home has hard water, there are simple, effective solutions to protect your health, plumbing, and appliances. Here’s what you can do:
1. Install a Water Filtration System
Have you ever turned on your faucet and noticed an odd taste or smell in your water? A whole-home filtration system removes chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria, and other contaminants before they enter your plumbing. If you’re mainly concerned about drinking water, under-sink and faucet filters are great for improving taste and quality at specific taps.
2. Use a Water Softener
A water softener removes calcium and magnesium, preventing scale buildup that damages pipes, appliances, and fixtures. Softened water can also help:
- Extend the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines
- Make soap lather better, improving cleaning efficiency
- Reduce dry skin and hair irritation by preventing soap residue buildup
3. Keep Up with Plumbing Maintenance
Hard water deposits can slowly clog pipes and wear down appliances over time. Routine plumbing inspections can catch early signs of buildup and prevent costly repairs. Keeping up with maintenance helps your water system run smoothly and last longer.
4. Flush Your System Regularly
If taps in your home sit unused overnight, water can become stagnant and contain more minerals or contaminants. Running your faucets for a few minutes each morning helps flush out any buildup. Well owners should also shock their system regularly to keep it sanitized.
5. Stay Updated on Water Reports
If you’re on city water, your local provider issues annual water quality reports. These reports list any contaminants found and what treatments were used. Staying informed about your local water supply helps you decide if extra filtration or softening is needed.
Why Choose Five Star Home Services for Hard Water Solutions?
At Five Star Home Services, we specialize in water treatment solutions tailored to your home’s specific needs. Whether you need water testing, a filtration system, or a softener installation, we provide:
- Certified Plumbing Experts – Our licensed professionals offer trusted solutions for water quality issues.
- Customized Water Treatment Plans – Every home’s water is different, and we help you choose the best filtration or softening system for your needs.
- Top-Quality Products & Installation – We install high-efficiency water treatment systems that provide long-term protection for your home.
Take the first step toward cleaner, safer water today. Call us at (833) 405-8009 or schedule online for expert water testing and treatment services. We’re here to help Greater Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati homeowners find the best hard water solutions for a healthier home.
(Sean Moffett is the plumbing field manager for Five Star Home Services. Having worked in the plumbing industry for 23 years, he has seen it all. Sean has worked for Five Star for more than three years. Currently, he lives in Xenia with his wife, Jan, and three children. They include Lily, 19, Caleb, 21, and Lexie, 26. Lexie works in the call center at Five Star. As a local plumber, Sean said being able to take care of our customers’ needs on a daily basis is very rewarding. “When you can go out to a customer’s house and fix an issue that they’re having, you get the chance to make their day a little bit better and relieve that stress from them,” he said. In his spare time, Sean enjoys golfing and hanging out with his grandson, Nolan, who is 4).
