Daily Annoyances: Skin, Hair, and Cleaning
While the minerals in hard water are not considered a health risk, they create numerous quality-of-life issues. Residents in Glendale often contend with:
- Persistently dry skin and an itchy scalp due to soap residue that doesn't rinse away.
- Hair that feels dull, brittle, and looks frizzy.
- A constant battle against soap scum on shower doors and fixtures.
The residue left on skin can clog pores and worsen conditions like acne and eczema, demonstrating the tangible daily effect of Glendale's 13.4 GPG water.
Filtration Recommendations for Glendale's Hard Water
For water hardness in the 7-15 GPG range, protecting your home's plumbing is critical. A simple pitcher filter won't do the job. Here are your best options:
- Salt-Free Water Conditioner: An effective, modern solution for Glendale. It alters the structure of hardness minerals to prevent them from creating scale, protecting your water heater and pipes without using salt.
- Traditional Water Softener: Given the water is on the higher end of the 'hard' scale, a salt-based softener offers the most comprehensive solution. It completely removes minerals, providing soft water for bathing and preventing all scale. Based on $144 in annual savings on energy and cleaning supplies, the system pays for itself in 10.4 years.
- Drinking Water Solution: To eliminate the need for costly bottled water, install an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system. It provides purified water on tap for a fraction of the cost of buying bottled water.