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We've lived in the same house ~ 10 years, original owners. We've never had a problem with the water until recently. Just about a month ago I noticed the water in the kitchen getting "hard", that is, dishes come out from the dishwasher with a residue. Ok, I guess its always been somewhat hard, the shower doors in the bathroom are impossible to keep clear, I just gave up and installed frosted glass. I know they're clean, can't help the residue. But it seems the problem is getting worse, especially in the kitchen.
We're looking at moving soon, and either selling our home or renting it out. We do need to do some fixing up of the place, new paint, carpet, etc. I'm wondering if we should install a water softener at this point? If we're going to keep the property and rent it out it would be to our advantage to get a water softener.
I guess my main question is, has anyone had their water suddenly get harder, and if so, what could be the cause!
City water hardness can change at any time because they usually have multiple sources of water of varying hardness content due to do maintenance needs of/on the system or new sources of water being brought into service.
City water can change but if this is something that hasn't happened for decades and then suddenly does then it is probably not just routine water variances from different sources.
They (municipal water suppliers) may have suddenly changed their water treatment methods. Nonetheless, nothing can be determined without finding out the actual water content through testing or monitored reports. Have you asked your neighbors about any noticable changes?
A softener may be the answer but check water quality first...don't just assume.
City water can change but if this is something that hasn't happened for decades and then suddenly does then it is probably not just routine water variances from different sources.
They (municipal water suppliers) may have suddenly changed their water treatment methods. Nonetheless, nothing can be determined without finding out the actual water content through testing or monitored reports. Have you asked your neighbors about any noticable changes?
A softener may be the answer but check water quality first...don't just assume.
Andy Christensen, CWS-II
And yet if you look at a Water Quality Report of most water companies, either the printed one they must send their customers once per year by Federal law, or on their web site, you will see they state their hardness as Low, Average and High.
That is due to the reasons I stated earlier. So if you test and then size and program on the hardness you found in your test, the city may send you harder water and that will cause hardness to eventually get through the softener.
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