The Hidden Costs of Having Hard Water In the MetroWest

Have you ever sipped a glass of water, then wondered why it tastes unusually stale or sweet? You’re likely dealing with one of the many hidden costs of having hard water in the MetroWest.

While funny-tasting water and a crusty white buildup in your shower stall are annoying, the problems can get much worse. When these hardness levels go unchecked, they can wear out your appliances and shorten their lifespans. It can even cause clogs well out of reach of any drain snake or clog solution. 

Hard water problems are common, but they have solutions. Once you learn about these hidden costs, we’ll share some plumbing resources for reducing hardness levels in your home.

What Causes Hard Water in the MetroWest?

Hard water comes from aquifers and other groundwater sources, both of which contain soil and rock that come into contact with the water. While water hardness can be caused by all kinds of minerals, the most common culprits are calcium and magnesium. Bellingham and Franklin are just a few areas with higher-than-average amounts of these minerals in everyday drinking water.

Massachusetts distributes most of its water through massive reservoirs, such as the Quabbin Reservoir. These rivers and lakes are filled with sediment that, despite mostly being filtered out, occasionally leaves traces of calcium and magnesium in your water supply. 

It’s important to note that water hardness isn’t inherently bad for you. In fact, it can be quite healthy in moderation! Your body needs a regular supply of calcium for healthy bones and magnesium to regulate your blood sugar. However, excessive hardness can cause problems for your pipes and appliances.

The Key Difference Between Municipal Water and Private Wells

Another factor to consider when reviewing your water source is the difference between municipal water and private wells. Municipal water is a government-regulated supply for public use that may still have issues with mineral balance or chlorine levels.

Private wells lack funding and government regulation, meaning they tend to have more sediment build-up or pH issues. If you use a private well, you’ll be dealing with the hidden costs of having hard water in the MetroWest more often.

Figuring out whether or not you have too many minerals in your water comes down to testing. You may find your water quality is better or worse than what you expected after hiring a plumbing service.

What Is the Hardness Scale for Water?

The hardness scale for water is a measurement system that determines how many minerals are present in your water supply. Water filtration and testing services usually measure these minerals by mg/L (or milligrams per liter).

The hardness scale for water starts from 0 at the lowest and 300 at the highest:

• 0 to 30 is considered very soft, with very few minerals present. 

• 50 to 100 is considered somewhat soft.

• 100 to 150 is considered a little hard, but not usually enough to be concerning.

• 150 to 200 is moderately hard and often warrants calling a water softening service.

• 200 to 300 is very hard and starts causing problems like clogs or funny-tasting water.

• 300 and over is extremely hard and needs professional help.

The hidden costs of having hard water in the MetroWest show up gradually. Not only does this issue not go away on its own, but it also causes several household problems that eventually reach your wallet. 

3 Hidden Taxes of Hard Water in Your House

Water quality is an important element of a healthy home, and not just for your daily water bottle. Even your appliances will start to feel the burden of high hardness levels.

Alongside scummy sinks and off-putting water, you’ll eventually see these hidden costs of having hard water in the MetroWest.

1. Worse Water Heater Performance

Your water heater needs a smooth interior to quickly generate heat. When minerals stick to the sides of your heater, it creates a buffer that slows down the heat transfer process and makes your equipment work too hard.

You might deal with side effects like very slow heating or no heat at all. Particularly thick layers of sediment buildup can cause up to a 25% reduction in your heater’s efficiency. In other words, worse performance and wasted money.

2. Challenging Clogs 

Minerals don’t just wash away. They have a nasty habit of sticking to the inside of your piping to gradually turn into clogs months later. 

Fixing these clogs isn’t as simple as pouring a little drain solution down your kitchen sink, either. Since hard water travels throughout your entire piping system, it can build up in areas too far for you to reach. This issue can result in spending more money on drain clearing services for clogs that just don’t seem to go away. 

3. Shortened Appliance Lifespan

Do you want to enjoy your coffee maker or dishwasher as long as possible? Hard water has other plans, taxing your systems behind the scenes with constant mineral buildup.

Appliances operating at high hardness levels may struggle to filter consistently, drain water well, or remain energy-efficient. They might deliver a lackluster performance (like a pot of coffee that takes far too long to brew) or run for too long, driving up your energy bill.

If all of this sounds frustrating, don’t worry. Water filtration systems have come a long way and are just one of the many resources Notturno can help you enjoy.

How Can Notturno Help Reduce Hard Water in Your Home?

We’re well-versed in the hidden costs of having hard water in the MetroWest. Notturno has been a trusted partner for local homeowners who want to enjoy fresher and softer water without trouble.

When you reach out to us for water-based solutions, you get access to practical services like:

• Water softening to gradually reduce water hardness

• Drain cleaning to clear out sediment build-up

• Water heater installation to stay ahead of the latest technology 

If you’re on a tight budget, check out our coupons and financing options. We’re ready to help you enjoy today’s best water treatment options with reliable tools.

Call Notturno for a Water Quality Inspection Today

The hidden costs of having hard water in the MetroWest don’t have to be your problem. It’s time to test your water so you can get the best plan of action. 

Not only will we test your water’s hardness, but we’ll also look at important details like pH and chlorine levels to give you the full picture.

It’s time to make hard water a thing of the past. Get water quality testing today with Notturno!