Answering your popular questions on hard water
Hard water is something that many households will have, accounting for around 60% of the UK’s water supply. While not directly a problem, it can lead to certain issues around the home and with health. As such, you may have a question or two on hard water. In this article, we answer all your popular questions on hard water.
An overview of hard water
What is the difference between hard water and mineral water?
Hard water is categorised by the presence of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These are added through natural processes. Mineral water is water that has been sourced from rich in certain minerals, such as potassium, iron, calcium carbonate and magnesium sulfate.
Is tap water hard or soft?
Tap water can be soft or hard, depending on the area you live in. In the UK, northern regions of the UK generally have much softer water. North Yorkshire has one of the softest water supplies. The east and southern regions of the UK have the hardest water supplies, with London experiencing the hardest water supplies.
Why is CaCo3 used for expressing the hardness of water?
CaCo3 is used to express water hardness as the main contributors of water hardness are calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+). Calcium carbonate is a common compound that forms when these ions react with the carbonate ions in the water.
In what circumstances is water considered to be hard?
Water hardness is measured according to the extent of calcium and magnesium minerals present. This is typically measured in mg/L or PPM. Anything between 120 and 180 mg/L is considered hard. Anything over 180mg/L is considered very hard.
What is the difference between hardness and TDS in water?
Hardness and TDS are related but not the same. Generally, water hardness only measures the calcium and magnesium in the water. TDS (total dissolved solids) measures the total of all mineral elements, including calcium and magnesium.
Why is cold water hard and warm water soft?
Cold water has much more dissolved oxygen than hot water and absorbs more carbon dioxide as a result. Heating the water causes the carbon dioxide to leave, shifting the equilibrium towards calcium carbonate. However, boiling water to remove hardness is only a temporary solution.
What happens when soap is added to hard water?
Hard water is a bad reactant with the fatty acids found in hard water. This poor reaction results in a substance called
soap scum. This is a sticky residue that is difficult to remove from surfaces. This same soap scum builds on the skin, causing problems to your natural skin’s health.
What is the relationship between PPM and hardness?
PPM (or parts per million) is a measurement of the concentration of a substance in a solution. In terms of hard water, this refers to the concentration of calcium and magnesium minerals. The higher the PPM, the greater the water hardness.
How is hard water formed?
Hard water is formed through natural processes. It is formed when soft water percolates through limestone and chalk rocks. This causes the rocks and minerals to dissolve into the water. This water eventually ends up in reservoirs, which account for the largest source of our water supply.
Hard water and health
Is hard water bad for you?
What are the health effects of hard water?
Hard water does not pose a threat to human health. Drinking hard water can contribute to our recommended daily mineral intake of calcium and magnesium. Some
research suggests drinking hard water can provide cardiovascular benefits. However, the research is inconclusive.
Despite this, washing with hard water can lead to several health-related effects. For instance, a poor reaction with soap leaves an insoluble soap layer on the skin. This blocks and clogs the pores, making it difficult for the skin to remain properly moisturised.
In turn, this can lead to damage to the skin barrier. This is reflected through sore, dry, and itchy skin. This leads to the worsening of eczema conditions for anyone experiencing this condition. The same applies to the scalp, leading to a negative effect on hair.
What is the permissible limit of hard water for drinking water?
While there is no legal requirement for water hardness, the
World Health Organisation states that hardness levels above 500 mg/litre are generally unacceptable. Anything over 300 mg/litre is considered very hard.
Can hard water cause kidney stone disease?
No, there is no direct correlation between drinking hard water and kidney stone disease. The major causes of kidney stone disease are not drinking enough water, inactivity, a high-fibre, low-protein diet, and a personal or family history of kidney stones.
Comparing hard and soft water
Which one is better for you, hard water of soft water?
Both
soft water and hard water are considered safe to drink. Hard water contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium, whereas soft water contains higher levels of sodium (salt). However, hard water can be a cause of several health issues, such as dry skin, worsening eczema, and scalp soreness.
What is meant by hard water and soft water?
Water is considered hard or soft depending on the amount of trace minerals present. The greater the mineral content, the harder the water. These minerals include calcium and magnesium, alongside iron, zinc, manganese, and aluminium.
Which is denser, hard water or soft water?
There is no difference in the density between hard and soft water.
What are the pros and cons of having soft water?
The pros of soft water are:
- Increased energy efficiency
- Cleanses the skin more effectively
The cons of soft water are:
- High sodium content
- Different taste
How do I test if I have hard water or soft water?
There are a couple of telltale signs that indicate whether you have hard or soft water. Hard water will typically leave spots on glasses and silverware after a run in the dishwasher. Mineral stains will also be a common problem on taps and surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen.
Which is found in nature, hard water, soft water, or both?
Water is naturally soft. Rainwater that falls from the clouds is soft. However, as it percolates through limestone and chalk rocks, it dissolves the minerals, leading to hard water. As a result, it is possible to find hard and soft water in nature.
Hard water around the home
What are the problems caused by hard water at home?
There are a range of problems associated with hard water at home, including:
- Scale deposits
-
Stiff and rough clothes
- Increased water bills
- Reduced appliance lifespan
- Inefficient heating systems
How does hard water affect your heater?
When hard water is heated, calcium carbonate and magnesium join together into solid clumps that form limescale deposits. These deposits build up on the nearest hard surface. This leads to a heater running much less efficiently as the limescale deposits act as a barrier that affects heating performance. This is one of the biggest
effects of having hard water in winter.
Does hard water damage plumbing?
Yes, hard water can damage plumbing. The build-up of limescale inside the pipes forms a solid layer around the inside of the pipes. Over time, this layer becomes thicker, affecting the water pressure and leading to clogs. Copper piping can also experience corrosion as a result of hard water, resulting in leaks.
Why is hard water not suitable for boilers?
Scaling and clogging are two of the biggest reasons why hard water is not suitable for boilers. When water is heated inside the boiler, it leads to scale deposits. These deposits build up inside the boiler, reducing the efficiency and heating potential of the boiler.
As such, people have to turn up the boiler to achieve the same heating effects. This increases power usage and cost. Over time, the boiler will wear and break down, requiring more maintenance and a much shorter lifespan.
What can hard water do to you bathroom taps?
The build-up of mineral deposits from hard water can restrict the flow of water. As such, the water pressure coming from the taps is greatly reduced. Scale can also form on the outside of the tap, leaving unsightly deposits that are difficult to remove.
Why does water come very slowly in all my taps?
Water typically comes out of taps very slowly due to decreased water pressure. This can be a result of a restricted flow caused by scale deposits building up inside pipes.
Overcoming hard water
How is the problem of hard water addressed?
The problem of hard water can be addressed through water softening or water conditioning. Water softening involves replacing the hard water minerals with sodium. Water conditioning uses a range of processes that change how the minerals interact to prevent scale build-up.
What should you do if you have hard water in your home?
With the many problems associated with hard water, many homeowners may seek a solution. There are two alternatives to overcoming the problems of hard water. The first is a water softener. While this does provide soft water, it can be a very expensive process to operate on a long-term basis.
The other option available is using an
electronic water descaler. While this does not soften water, it provides the same effects and a much-reduced operating cost. The device only uses a small amount of power to effectively prevent scale build-up and associated problems.
What is the best way to remove calcium from hard water?
There are methods you can use to remove calcium from your water. The first method is to use a water descaler. While this does not soften the water, it provides the same effects while leaving the beneficial minerals present.
The other method is using a water softener. This uses the ion exchange process to swap the magnesium and calcium minerals for sodium. As such, using a water softener can often lead to a salty taste in the water. It also requires regular replenishing with salt pallets for the process to work.
Why is sodium carbonate used to soften hard water?
Sodium carbonate is used to soften hard water as sodium is soluble and ionises in the water. It binds the calcium and magnesium ions that are responsible for hard water. However, this only acts as a temporary solution.
How to clean thick, build-up hard water?
A thick build-up of hard water deposits can be a cleaning nightmare as it attaches to hard surfaces. An effective solution for cleaning these stains is using a paste of white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Leave the paste over the scale deposits for 15 minutes, and it should come off much more easily.
How do I clean clogged water pipes with scales?
The treatment for unclogging water pipes with scales depends on the extent of the blockage. Small blockages may be treated with a solution of white vinegar and baking soda that is poured down the drain. However, larger blockages may require more specialised treatment from a plumber.
Does boiling water turn hard water into soft water?
No, boiling water does not turn hard water into soft water. While it does help to remove some of the hard water minerals, it is not within sufficient quantities to make the water soft.
What are the pros and cons of having a water softener?
The pros of having a water softener are that it provides soft water and acts as a permanent solution to address hard water problems. However, operating a water softener can be very expensive in the long term and can leave a salty taste in the water.
Why is salty water coming from water softeners?
Salty water coming from water softeners is a common issue people experience. That’s because water softeners use sodium to neutralise the hard water minerals. An issue with the brine line, drain line, or control system can cause sodium to enter the water, resulting in a salty taste.
Will WD-40 remove hard water stains?
While WD-40 may have some effect in removing limescale or water stains, it is not as effective as other methods. Using vinegar can be a much more effective cleaning hack for getting rid of hard water stains.
How to clean hard water deposists out of a dishwasher?
A common problem with dishwater in houses that have a hard water supply is the recurrence of limescale or water deposits on glasses and silverware or inside the appliance. Using vinegar is an effective hack to help get rid of these pesky stains.
How to stop limescale building up so quickly in my kettle?
One of the biggest telltale signs you have a hard water supply is the build-up of limescale inside the kettle. To remove this, you must periodically use a mixture of 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water. Leave it to sit inside the kettle for 15 minutes. Then, a light scrub should remove any limescale stains.
Did we answer all your questions on hard water? Many people experience the problems associated with hard water, whether it’s around the home or to their health. While drinking hard water does not have an impact, the range of other associated problems can have a big impact.