Have you ever stopped and wondered about water hardness?
Many of us live in hard water areas without even realising it. While hard water isn’t harmful to our health, it can be harsh on skin conditions such as eczema and cause frustrating effects on our homes, appliances, and bills.
Fortunately, there is a solution. There are various ways to find out what hard water areas affect your home, and from here, you can take steps to reduce the impact on family and home life.
Whether you’re interested in water softening solutions or simply want to find out ‘water hardness in my area’, keep reading. In this blog, we investigate tricks to find out how hard your water is and what you can do to tackle limescale that comes with it.
What is Hard Water?
Curious about what is hard water? Before we dive into solutions for hard water UK and hard water areas near you, let’s quickly define it.
Hard water has a high mineral content, with elevated levels of magnesium and calcium. This is caused by the geology of the UK, as water dissolves minerals from rocks as it flows through. Over half of the UK population lives in hard water areas, facing common issues like limescale buildup. Water companies don’t soften water for residents, as it’s a costly and energy-intensive process on a large scale. Although desalination plants exist, they’re mainly used for industrial and commercial processes, not residential supply. Plus, some residents actually prefer hard water over soft water!
Do I Live in a Hard Water Area?
Wondering about the hardness of water in your area? Water hardness is determined by the concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and is usually expressed in milligrams per litre (mg/L) or as a degree of hardness. For more details on how hardness is measured, check out this informative article. Knowing whether you live in hard water areas UK can help you address issues caused by excess minerals, such as limescale buildup.
Much of the UK experiences hard water UK, but some regions have higher mineral content than others. If you’re in York, Hull, Doncaster, London, or the southeast of England, you may notice limescale on kettles, taps, and in bathrooms. These are among the most affected hard water areas UK. In contrast, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland generally have softer water due to their geology, resulting in fewer adverse effects.
Check your water hardness now!
Try the Hard Water Checker
Unsure what your water type is? Forget searching for ‘hard water in my area’. We’ve created an quick online tool to help you find easy answers about whether do I live in a hard water area.
Our water hardness checker is here to help you find answers. Simply enter your town or postcode, and we’ll provide you with water answers. If you have levels over 100 parts per million (ppm) in your water, a water softener amongst other water solutions could benefit your day-to-day life.
Don’t wait until you notice a large limescale build-up! Check your hardness today to prevent your appliances from needing a repair.
Try our free hard water checker to see how affected your home is on the water hardness scale.
How to Tell If Your Water is Hard
If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Am I in a hard water area?”, you’re not alone. While our Water Hardness Tool is a quick and accurate way to find out, there are also a few everyday signs that may indicate high mineral levels in your water. From limescale buildup to soap that doesn’t lather well, these tell-tale clues can help you spot hard water in your home.
Around the House
Have you noticed limescale in your home? Limescale is a white build-up of minerals in hard water. This could be around your taps, in your kettle, or on the exterior of any other water outlets.
Hair and Skin
While hard water isn’t harmful to our health, it can impact your hair and skin. The extra calcium and magnesium in hard water can lead to dryness in your hair and skin conditions. Hard water can also cause residents to use more hair and skin products while showering. Try adding moisturising products to your routine or invest in softer water.
Higher Bills
Another crucial sign that you’re in a hard water area is higher bills. Since hard water causes limescale build-ups, you might need to replace appliances or opt for maintenance more frequently. The cost of living is rising, and a water softener could cancel out these frustrating extra payments.
The Bottom Line
Though many worry about ‘hard water in my area’, it’s easy to achieve soft water without any fuss. Whether you opt for a water softener or a water filter, living in hard water areas has never been easier. A Harvey water softener might be your solution if you’re ready to combat hard water issues. Get in touch today to make an appointment or to find out the best options for your home.Want to know more? Explore our latest blog content online.
What If I am in a Hard Water Area?
Once you’ve researched your water hardness and the scale of the problem, you may want to explore your options. Have you been wondering, “How hard is the water in my area?”
At Harvey Water Softeners, we’re continually looking for the best water solutions to help those living in hard water UK areas to reduce the impact of calcium and magnesium on daily life and the home. We always strive for the next solution, from custom smart taps to low-maintenance filters and of course, our range of water softeners.
Here are 4 essential options for hard water areas:
Water Softeners
One of the most popular solutions for tackling hard water and eliminating limescale once and for all is a water softener. These helpful devices remove the calcium and magnesium from your water supply via ion exchange. This leaves you with soft water and no more limescale, it’s kinder on skin and hair, and can reduce home maintenance costs and bills.
Water Filters
Tired of hard water in your kitchen sink? A water filter might be the solution for you. Water filters sit under your kitchen sink and remove the excess minerals from your tap supply. This saves you from ever needing to use and store a water filter jug in your fridge ever again, allowing easy access to soft water straight from your tap!
Drinking Taps
Enjoy a nice cup of tea without the hard water-caused scum on the top! We offer specialised drinking taps with a bypass tap that retains hard water supplies. Ideal for anyone who enjoys the taste of hard water. Not only that, but our drinking taps also provide on-demand boiling water, sparkling water, and chilled water.
Filtered Water Jug
Not ready to commit to a fitted water filter yet? A filtered water jug is an excellent option for those who want a small-scale water softener. Filtered water jugs provide purified water without the chlorine taste from your tap. This leaves your water at 000-010ppm, much lower than standard hard water (100 ppm and above).
A Harvey water softener might be your solution if you’re ready to combat hard water issues. Get in touch today to make an appointment or to find out the best options for your home.
