Aside from a basic purity analysis to ensure safety for drinking and household usage, the water that comes from the taps in most homes gets little attention. Important details, like excessive mineral content, may not be noticed unless the water has an unpleasant odor or taste. Unfortunately, however, the continued use of hard water can actually be costly to homeowners in a number of ways. If you are a budget-conscious homeowner, you may be interested to know more about some of the most common costs of using hard water in your home. 

Effects on pipes and fixtures

When water has a high mineral content, the calcium, lime, magnesium, iron, and other minerals from deposits can build up inside the pipes and connections in the plumbing system. Over time, this buildup will result in reduced water pressure and clogs. Since clearing mineral buildup from existing pipes is difficult or even impossible to do, a costly replacement of some or all of the existing plumbing system may be the only remedy. 

Damage to appliances

In addition to mineral buildup throughout the plumbing system, hard water can also be costly in terms of the damage it does to appliances. Tank-style water heaters fill up with sediment and must be cleaned often to prevent damage to heating elements. Tankless water heaters can become hopelessly clogged with mineral buildup and become less capable of providing sufficient hot water for the home. 

Small appliances, like coffee pots and ice makers, are particularly vulnerable to hard water because of the small tubes and connections they contain. Washing machines and dishwashers can also become clogged, inefficient, and unable to perform well when subjected to the use of water with high mineral content.

The cumulative cost of product waste

Another cost of using hard water that is often overlooked is the cumulative cost of product waste in the average household. This includes dish and laundry detergents, shampoos, bar and liquid soaps, and household cleaners. In hard water, these products produce less lather and clean less efficiently. This means family members will use far more product than the recommended amount in an attempt to get satisfactory results.  

Homeowners who want to protect their home and household budget from the potential costs associated with hard water should discuss their situation with a reputable home water softener installation service like Hague  Quality Water of Kansas City Inc. A water quality specialist can provide mineral content information for the local water supply, as well as provide a realistic idea about the potential savings homeowners can expect to get by switching to softened water.