Did you know that 95% of homes in New Mexico have hard water? Our soil is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron, which seeps into the ground water. This mineral rich water is known as “hard”, and it is the water that each of us uses every day.
When hard water enters your home, the minerals stick to the objects they come in contact with. This includes pipes and faucets, dishes and clothing, and, yes, even you and your family! Though hard water isn’t dangerous for your health, it destroys fixtures and water-using appliances.
Hard Water Build-Up
Hard water is the cause of the yucky, crusty build-up on your faucets and showerhead. These stains are not just unappealing to look at, but they are very difficult to remove. The internet is buzzing with home remedies for hard water stains and build-up, and, unfortunately, most of them do not work.
You may have heard of using mixtures of vinegar and baking soda, bleach and detergent, and lemon juice to fix the hard water scaling. Unfortunately, these remedies have little to no effect. They lack the power or abrasiveness to take care of the issue. After all, they are literally going up against the elements that make up rock.
Instead of going the home remedy route only to discover that it isn’t effective, consider these three options. They are ranked from good to best.
Good: Oxalic Acid
Oxalic acid is more commonly known as Bar Keeper’s Friend. It is a good option for removing hard water build-up. It does require some elbow grease, but it can do the job.
The problem is that the acid must be rinsed off. Consider what you are using to rinse it with. Hard water, of course. This is a temporary, if somewhat effective, fix for hard-water build up.
Better: A-MAZ
Your local Kinetico dealer provides a product called A-MAZ (amaze) that is designed to remove hard water build-up on your fixtures. It still requires serious elbow grease, but is by far the most effective product. Unfortunately, it cannot remove the build-up that is inside of your plumbing. If you can see minerals on your faucet or shower door, it is in your pipes as well.
Best: Water Softeners
The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” holds true for hard water problems. By installing a water softener that effectively eliminates hard water, you can save yourself money, time, and inconvenience. Soft water can help you avoid multiple plumbing, appliance and fixture catastrophes. Water softeners do not remove current build-up, but they ensure that it stops for good and prevents further build up.
Because of the high mineral content in New Mexican soil, the question isn’t if you have hard water. The question is what can be done about it. Your water may be hard, but the solution doesn’t have to be!