It’s no surprise that daily water use spikes during the warmer months. But did you know that hot weather can lead to hard water?

Regardless of what climate you live in, water hardness fluctuates throughout the year. Changing seasons and rainfall can alter groundwater and source water. Hard water minerals can become diluted from heavy rain, helping to naturally flush them from public water systems. But in the summer, hard water minerals can increase due to less rainfall and even drought.

While you can’t control the weather, you can take steps to treat hard water in your home.

What is hard water, anyway?

Hard water contains a high amount of minerals (primarily calcium and magnesium). The higher the content of calcium and magnesium, the harder the water.

Have you ever noticed white spots on clean dishes or calcium build up around faucets? Those are all signs that your home has hard water.

While hard water isn’t dangerous, it can take a toll on your appliances, plumbing, and even your health. Trace minerals can slowly build up in your hot water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, and water pipes. Over time, this buildup will decrease appliance efficiency - resulting in higher energy costs and water bills. Additionally, hard water can bind to laundry detergent, fading your clothing colors faster. Hard water can even lead to dry skin and brittle hair.

How to fix hard water

If you’re unsure if you have hot water, the signs are easy to spot. You’ll notice a buildup of white scale on faucets, clean dishes, and sink bowls. You might even notice that your hair and skin feel less moisturized than usual. To confirm if you have hard water -- especially in summer months -- call Ben Franklin for a quick and easy water analysis. Our water testing technology can detect chlorine, trace minerals, and even waterborne bacteria.

A home water softener is the most efficient way to ensure that your family has consistently soft water -- especially as your water use increases during hot summer months.

Already have a water softener? It might be time to add more salt. Your water filter should be half-full at minimum. If adding salt still doesn’t remedy hard water, it might be time to consider a high-efficiency water treatment. Benjamin Franklin plumbing offers water conditioning to remove chlorine and hard water minerals.

Contact your local Benjamin Franklin plumber to get rid of hard water once and for all.