Key takeaways
- Hard water leaves scale on fixtures and inside heaters.
- Test your water before you buy a softener.
- Softeners fix scale, filters fix taste.
- Tankless heaters in hard water need yearly flushing.
Why the water is hard
Water that passes through limestone picks up calcium and magnesium. Much of Middle Tennessee sits on limestone, so many homes in and around Nashville have moderately hard to hard water, though it varies by source and neighborhood.
Hard water is not a health risk, but it is rough on plumbing and appliances.
What it does
Scale builds on faucets, shower glass and inside pipes. It coats heating elements and heat exchangers, which makes water heaters work harder, shortens their life and reduces efficiency. Soap lathers poorly, so you use more of it, and laundry feels stiff.
You will usually see white crusty buildup around faucet bases and on glasses from the dishwasher.
What to do
Start with a test. Hardness is easy to measure, and the result tells you whether a softener is worth it. A salt-based softener removes the minerals that make hardness. Filters improve taste and remove chlorine but do not soften.
For a tankless heater, schedule a yearly flush whether or not you have a softener.
Related services
Quick answers
Is hard water bad for my health?
No. Hard water is generally considered safe to drink. The problems are scale, soap use and wear on appliances.
Do I need a softener and a filter?
They do different jobs. A softener removes hardness minerals, and a filter handles chlorine, taste and sediment. Many homes benefit from both.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.