How Very Hard Water Affects Your Family
While not a direct health threat, very hard water's effects are felt daily. The high mineral content prevents soap and shampoo from lathering effectively, leaving a residue on your skin and hair. This leads to:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle hair and an irritated scalp
- Soap scum buildup on shower doors and fixtures
For families with infants, using hard water to prepare baby formula can contribute to the total mineral intake, which is a factor to consider.
Choosing the Right Filtration System for Robbinsdale
With hardness at 11.7 GPG, a simple pitcher filter won't protect your home's infrastructure. Here’s what makes sense:
- Good Solution: Salt-Free Water Conditioner. This system is often sufficient for this hardness level. It doesn't remove minerals but alters their structure to prevent them from forming scale inside pipes and appliances. Pair it with an under-sink filter for drinking water.
- Best Solution: Whole-House Water Softener. For those who want to eliminate hardness entirely, a salt-based softener is the most effective choice. It removes the minerals, providing benefits you can feel on your skin and see in your laundry.
A whole-house softener (around $1,500 installed) pays for itself in 11.9 years through annual savings of $126 on energy, detergent, and extending appliance lifespans. It also eliminates the need for bottled water, which costs the average family $600-$900 per year.