If you live in the Kent area you are no doubt well aware of how hard the local water is. Did you know why this is however and what you can do about it?
Hard water is water which contains a high amount of dissolved minerals (primarily calcium and magnesium) and the hardness of your water supply is dependent on the types of rocks that the naturally soft rainwater passes through when it hits the ground. The rainwater is filtered by stones and mineral deposits. If it passes through soft rocks such as limestone and chalk, it will collect calcium and magnesium minerals thus becoming ‘hard’. Water hardness is measured by the number of mineral deposits in your water at a value of parts per million (ppm). To give you an idea, a soft water area would have under 60ppm. A very hard water area would have more than 180ppm.The county of Kent has particularly hard water due to the underlying soil being comprised largely of chalk and clay. This type of soil contains an abundance of calcium and magnesium minerals which are then collected by the rain as it falls. The majority of our water supply comes from groundwater from a chalk aquifier, with the rest being abstracted from rivers and collected in reservoirs. You can see how hard the water is in Kent and the rest of the UK here.
In a hard water area such as Kent the impact that hard water has on your home is hard to ignore! When the minerals in the hard water are combined with heat they will form a chalky build up known as limescale. This will be particulary noticeable in your kettle, on your taps and your shower head. Whilst there are various chemical products on the market which can remove limescale, this can be costly and timeconsuming and does not stop the limescale from coming back. You may also notice unsightly water marks on your dishes and surfaces as well as your laundry becoming rough and faded. This is due to the mineral deposits being left behind once the water has evaporated. Your skin and hair may also feel uncomfortable and dry. Hard water does not combine well with detergents meaning that residue is always left behind, no matter how much you rinse. The lack of lather will also mean that you have to use more detergents and soaps as well as additional softenening and moisturising products. Your energy bills will also be higher due to buildup in your pipes and heating system. With prices on the rise, nobody needs any additional costs right now!
Whilst we can't change the geological makeup of Kent, there is certainly something that can be done about the hard water once it has enterd your home! By installing a water softener at the point of entry, the minerals are removed before the water flows out to your household, thus preventing any of the issues mentioned above. There are a range of different options available, with one to suit every home and budget. Water softeners are extremely easy to maintain too. You just need to make sure the salt is topped up and have a service every few years or so. At Aqua Soft we can offer you a full water softener service from start to finish. From initial advice and quotation to installation, maintenance and salt supply, you can trust our team of experts to look after you.
If you are struggling with the hard water in Kent, please get in touch today to arrange your free, no obligation home survey. Our experts will recommend the best solution for your home and family meaning that you can banish that pesky hard water for good!
