Do You Know the Difference?

Difference Between Hard & Soft Water

While most London homeowners are not able to tell for sure, there are some distinct differences between hard and soft water. There is a certain “feeling” that hard water can have in the shower and throughout the London home.

However, only water engineers can determine the actual level of hardness in your water supply. Because there is a substantial amount of damage that hard water can do over time, it is important to understand the impact of both hard and soft water throughout the home and in your daily life.

The Difference Explained

Hard water feels hard because of the significant levels of dissolved minerals that are present, including magnesium and calcium. Soft water, on the other hand, is mostly composed of sodium. There are also some differences when it comes to how these two types of water react with soap, causing the frustration many individuals experience when it comes to showering and washing dishes.

Hard water causes a film to form when it comes in contact with water while soft water is much more conducive to forming foam. Problems related to this reaction can include the depositing of scale in addition to deterring the formation of lather in detergents.

The Potential Damage

There are virtually no adverse health effects that come with drinking hard water in regular amounts. However, the major damage that occurs over time thanks to hard water occurs in appliances and in other areas of the house.

Spots are likely to appear on dishes, and scale deposits appear in bathtubs. In the pipes, this scale can build up in extreme amounts, causing them to clog, restricting water flow, and damaging the surface of the pipes themselves. It is also possible for scale accumulation to reach the point that the flow of heat from boilers is blocked, resulting in overheating of the equipment.

Hard Water and You

The effects of hard water on the skin can quickly become noticeable as well. The excess minerals dry out hair and skin. Hair that is washed using hard water is often dulled and can retain a sticky feeling.

Some studies have even revealed that hard water can exasperate eczema conditions in children. It can also lead to breaks in hair and a flaking scalp.

Treatments such as dyes and perms will also fade faster with regular hard water use. Still, extremely soft water can have its downsides as well when it comes to cleaning. Hair washed in soft water can still appear to be oily and display little volume once dry.

Knowing the differences between hard & soft water in your London, UK home is important. For more info, call FD Plumbing & Heating at 020 7060 4770 today!