What Is the Difference Between Soft Water & Hard Water?

If you live in Tampa or another part of Florida, chances are good that you have hard water. But what exactly does that mean? What is the difference between soft water and hard water?

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that contains a high quantity of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This occurs naturally during the water process, as water passes through the ground (Tampa’s soil happens to have an abundance of limestone). It’s not considered bad for your health to drink or bathe in hard water; however, it can have a negative impact on many aspects of daily life. For instance, it’s bad for plumbing and water-using appliances; interferes with the effectiveness of soaps, shampoos, and cleaning products; and can leave residue on dishes, clothing, and even your hair and skin.

What Is Soft Water?

Soft water is conditioned water that has been treated to remove unwanted minerals through ion exchange. Having soft water in your home can put an end to all those nuisances hard water causes. With soft water, you’ll find that you won’t need to use as much shampoo and soap, as the water will lather far more easily (which will ultimately save you money, since products can be purchased less frequently). Additionally, soft water thoroughly rinses products out and doesn’t cause residue buildup like hard water does, leaving your hair and skin looking and feeling softer and smoother. Soft water will also keep your clothing’s colors from fading as quickly, as well as prevent spotting and fogging on dishes and glassware. Plus, soft water is safer for your appliances and plumbing because it won’t lead to scale buildup – this means less-frequent calls to your favorite plumber.

How Can I Get Soft Water in My Tampa Home?

You can easily soften your home’s water with the installation of a water conditioning system. Florida Energy Water & Air is a local company you can trust for the installation of quality RainSoft products. Contact us today to schedule a free water test and consultation at your Tampa home.