Is Your Residential Well Plagued with Hard Water?

Residential Well Hard Water

Does your residential well have hard water? It’s a common problem faced by many homeowners.

U.S. Geological Survey data shows that hard water – water that is high in calcium and mineral content — is common throughout many parts of the United States. As you might guess, many of the domestic wells in Utah and Wyoming are affected, so it’s quite possible that your well has high levels of these minerals.

How do you know if you have hard water? It’s usually pretty easy to tell. Determining how much of a problem it may cause, however, requires a little more detective work.

Top Signs that Your Residential Well Has Hard Water

Have you noticed a chalky film or stubborn spots on your glasses and dishes? Or maybe you’ve noticed an accumulation of white, crusty sediment or scale on your bathroom or kitchen tile, or on your faucets and showerhead?

These are all clues that your well has high levels of calcium and magnesium.

Hardness can also have an effect on your hair, making it look dull and limp. Your clothes may show signs as well, as excess mineral content can leave them looking gray and dingy after laundering.

Over time, if you don’t use a softening treatment, you will see a shorter fabric life for your laundry. Even worse, you may experience problems with your plumbing system or home appliances.

Lather Test Your Residential Well Water

Calcium and magnesium ions do not react well with soap.

These minerals make it difficult for soap products to form a lather. The simplest test to determine whether your residential well is affected is to watch how your water reacts to liquid dish soap.

For the lather test, all you need is an empty plastic bottle and some dishwashing liquid.

Use a bottle that is clean, clear and has a lid. Fill it halfway from the cold tap and add five or six drops of soap. Now, put the cap on tightly and shake the bottle a few times.

Is your bottle full of soap suds that flow out when you remove the cap? Or is there barely any lather? The harder you have to shake the bottle to make suds, the harder your well water is.

Professional Residential Well Water Testing

Your dishes, laundry and hair may tell you that your well has too much calcium and magnesium and the lather test can confirm your diagnosis. But, the only way to determine your level of hardness – and, therefore, the appropriate measures to take to manage the problem — is through a water test.

If you think you have a hardness problem, you could use a home test kit. Howver, experts recommend having a well service professional perform the test instead.

A residential well water expert will inspect your system and test the water. Based on the results, the well contractor can then explain your options for softening and advise you on the best course of action.

An annual test is recommended for most well owners, as your water quality can change over time.

In Utah and Southern Wyoming, Mike Zimmerman Well Service offers professional water quality testing and evaluation services. Balancing the mineral content of your water can improve its quality and extend the life of your plumbing fixtures and appliances.

Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer for commercial and residential wells.