The Daily Annoyance of Very Hard Water
While the minerals in hard water are not considered harmful to ingest, they create daily quality-of-life issues. The primary problem is how minerals interact with soaps and cleaning agents.
- Skin, Scalp, and Hair: Hard water leaves a soap scum residue on your body, leading to clogged pores, dry and itchy skin, and a flaky scalp. Hair can feel limp, dull, and brittle due to the mineral buildup.
- Cleaning Becomes a Chore: That same residue creates ugly spots on your dishes and a permanent film on shower doors and fixtures.
The Right Filtration System for Crestwood Homes
With water hardness at 15.9 GPG, a comprehensive solution is necessary to prevent costly damage. A simple faucet filter is not sufficient.
- Best Solution: A whole-house water softener is the gold standard. It physically removes the minerals, providing soft water to every tap. This protects your investment in your water heater, washing machine, and dishwasher.
- For Drinking Water: To get the best tasting water for coffee, tea, and cooking, pair a softener with an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system. This combination eliminates the need for bottled water, which costs the average family $600-$900 per year.
With annual savings of $171 on energy and appliance longevity, a whole-house softener (around $1,500 installed) can pay for itself in about 8.8 years in a Crestwood home.