The Top 3 Things Hard Water Does To People In Central Illinois

Did you know that we have some of the hardest water in the United States? Look at the map below. According to USGS.gov our water is as hard as it gets!

Here are the top 3 ways this hard water impacts us.

1. Your Skin 

After years of exposure, the high concentration of minerals in our area takes a toll on your skin. The high concentration of calcium and magnesium causes the following skin issues:

  • Dry Skin
  • Itchy Skin
  • Burning Feeling
  • Acne
  • Rash
  • Tight Skin
  • Eczema

These issues happen because the minerals in the water make it much harder to rinse the soap off your skin. Since you cannot rinse all the minerals off your skin, your skin’s natural oils cannot balance your skin’s moisture. The lack of natural oils leaves your skin dry, clogs pores, and, over time, causes several types of irritations like eczema.

2. Your Appliances

When you wash your dishes, do you ever notice dingy water spots on your clean dishes? Ever seen these same dingy water spots in your shower? You can thank hard water for that. Hard water makes it difficult for soap to stick to a surface. So when you see chalky, dingy residue on your dishes or in your shower, you’re looking at mineral deposits. 

Wait……It Gets Worse 

Has the water pressure from your shower or faucet ever been low? Over time, the minerals in the hard water build-up and clog pipes and valves. As a result, you will experience lower water pressure from your shower or faucet. The main concern is what it does to your water heater, dishwasher, refrigerator, and pipes. The minerals wreak havoc on your appliances, causing them to wear out faster than usual. In addition, the build-up in the pipes causes leaks and other plumbing problems that could end up costing us thousands of dollars in repairs.

3. Your Hair

The water in Bloomington sometimes smells like dirt (especially in the Spring) and the water in Normal sometimes smells like a public pool. They smell this way because Bloomington water comes from the lake. When the water company treats the water, the minerals combined with the treatment give off a dirt smell. The water in Normal is treated heavily with chlorine which gives it that public pool-like smell.

The Chemical Treatments &  Hard Water Minerals Get Into Your Hair

As a result, they create an invisible icky film on your hair. The filthy film prevents moisture from getting into the hair. This lack of moisture is why you or someone you know has dry, dull, tangly, faded colored hair. The minerals in your water also cause build-up on your scalp. This build-up leads to dandruff and itchiness. So if your hair or scalp has ever felt……….

  • Rough
  • Dry
  • Brittle
  • Itchy
  • Have Random Strands Sticking Out

……..you now know why.

I Have Some Of These Problems. What Do I Do? 

There are several ways to solve these problems. The problem with most of the solutions is they require several steps. The simplest solution is attacking the root problem.  In this case, the root issue is addressing our hard water. The easiest way to fix this problem is to get a water softener system installed. I did this two years ago, and the difference is night and day. Through a process called “ion exchange” (I will not bore you with the science), water softeners remove the minerals from your water and soften the water. As a result, the water is cleaner and much better for your skin, appliances, and hair. 

The problem is water softener systems aren’t super cheap. They cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000. Plus, it’s hard to find an affordable and trustworthy company. After a ton of research, the best company for water softener installation in our area seems to be Covenant Plumbing. They have over 400 Google reviews by people in our area, and they have a 5-star rating. They were also voted first in the “Best Of Readers Choices Awards” for Bloomington-Normal. We reached out to them and told them we were writing this article. They were excited about what we were doing and offered to help. They are offering qualified homeowners in Central Illinois up to $200 off their water softener installation plus $25 off any additional service. I wish I had found these guys a couple of years ago when I got my water softener. Covenant Plumbings’ water softener system discount is head and shoulders above the deal I received. If you are looking to invest in a water softener system for you and your family, click the link below to see if you qualify for their discount. We hope this article helps!