How Very Hard Water Affects Your Family
While not a direct health hazard, the high mineral content in Findlay's water has noticeable effects. The minerals prevent soap from lathering effectively, leaving behind a residue on your skin and hair. This leads to common complaints of:
- Dry, itchy skin and aggravated eczema
- Dull, brittle hair that's difficult to manage
- A feeling of film or residue on your skin after showering
For families with infants, using very hard water to mix baby formula can introduce a higher concentration of minerals than desired.
Filtration Guide for 21.1 GPG Water
With water this hard, simple pitcher filters won't solve the core problem. Your pipes and appliances need protection.
- Best Solution: A whole-house, salt-based water softener is the most effective choice. It removes the hardness minerals entirely, protecting your entire plumbing system. Paired with an under-sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) system for drinking water, you get complete protection and purified water.
- Alternative: Salt-free water conditioners can be an option if you wish to avoid sodium, though they only prevent scale from sticking rather than removing the minerals.
A whole-house softener (~$1,500 installed) pays for itself in approximately 6.7 years through savings of $225 per year on wasted energy, extra detergent, and premature appliance replacement. This doesn't even count the $600-$900 many families spend annually on bottled water, which an RO system eliminates.