Effects of Very Hard Water on Skin and Hair
While drinking hard water is not a health hazard, showering and bathing in it can lead to chronic discomfort.
- Dry, Itchy Skin: Hard water minerals react with soap to form a residue that doesn't rinse away easily. This film can clog pores and strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.
- Dull, Brittle Hair: The same mineral residue builds up on hair shafts, weighing them down, preventing moisture absorption, and leaving hair feeling straw-like and difficult to manage.
- Quality of Life: The constant battle with soap scum on showers, sinks, and fixtures is a direct result of the water's high mineral content.
Choosing the Right Water Filter for Kendall
For hardness levels above 15 GPG, a comprehensive, whole-house system is the only sensible investment.
- Top Recommendation: A traditional, salt-based water softener is essential. It is the only technology that physically removes the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness. For purified drinking water, we recommend pairing it with an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) filter.
- The Payback: A professionally installed water softener costs around $1,500. With annual savings of $202 on energy and cleaning supplies, the system pays for itself in approximately 7.4 years—not including the cost of replacing a water heater years ahead of schedule.
By eliminating the need to buy bottled water, an RO system can save a family an additional $600-$900 per year, accelerating the return on your investment.