Summary:

Hard water affects most Bay Area households and occurs when calcium and magnesium levels rise above about 7 Grains Per Gallon (GPG). It can cause problems like limescale buildup, corroded plumbing, water spots, itchy skin, dandruff, and plumbing emergencies. Homeowners can manage hard water by cleaning fixtures with white vinegar, adding rinse aids to the dishwasher, descaling coffee makers, or installing point-of-use filters. Install a whole-home softener, conditioner, or filter system for lasting protection.

Free Hard Water Risk Assessment Tool for California Homeowners

Hard water is so common that it affects nearly 90% of U.S. households, and it’s especially prevalent here in the Bay Area. Most of the time it isn’t really unsafe to drink or use, but it can be unsightly, unpleasant to drink, and incredibly harsh on appliances like water heaters, washers, or jacuzzi tubs.

Testing is the only 100% reliable way to find out exactly how hard your water is, but it is possible to make an educated guess. Our Hard Water Risk Assessment Tool handles this for you by cross-checking local water testing data for your area so you can decide if a water treatment system is right for you.

To get started, put your Bay Area zip code in at the top. You’ll find helpful information about what we really mean when we say water is “hard,” and how to fix it, further down.

 

The Science Behind Hard Water

Water isn’t “hard” in the sense that it turns solid (unless it freezes in your pipes, which is an entirely different problem). Instead, hardness is a scientific term that refers to how much dissolved calcium and magnesium are present in your tap water at any given time.

Hardness is measured in grains per gallon (GPG) or parts per million (PPM). Anything above 7 GPG is hard enough to cause problems for appliances. At 10 GPG and higher, you’ll start to see corrosion in plumbing or scale thick enough to cause clogs over time.

Wait… Aren’t Minerals Good For You?

Yes! Calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients, but the small amounts in most drinking water don’t meaningfully contribute to your diet or nutrition. You get more from food than you’ll ever get from the tap.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you want to strip them out completely. Aggressive demineralization can make water taste flat and unappealing, or in rare cases, even trigger electrolyte imbalances, so most distillation and reverse osmosis systems will actually add a small amount back in.

What You Can Do About Hard Water at Home

Customers usually tell us that the most frustrating part of having hard water is how much scale it leaves behind on fixtures and appliances. We’ll talk a bit more about permanent solutions in the next section, but here’s what you can start doing right now at home to manage it.

1. Use Vinegar for Buildup

White vinegar dissolves limescale and is safe to use on most surfaces. Wipe down your faucets, showerheads, and glassware. Soak aerators or showerheads overnight if they start to clog.

2. Try a Rinse Aid

Add a rinse aid or splash of vinegar to the rinse compartment of your dishwasher before you run it. It will help get rid of water spots and make your glassware shine.

3. Choose the Right Soaps

Look for washing detergent, soaps, and shampoos specifically marketed to people who deal with hard water issues. They lather up more luxuriously and won’t leave as much residue behind.

4. Clean Appliances Regularly

Descale your coffee maker, kettle, and washing machine at least once every couple of months. It’s best to use a descaling product approved by the brand, but you can also use vinegar in a pinch.

5. Test Your Water

Pick up a hard water test strip kit at your local hardware store to get a quick look at where your water falls before you go for the most expensive option. Sometimes, simple or inexpensive alternatives are enough!

6. Install Point-of-Use Filters

Snap-on filters for showerheads and drinking taps are affordable, easy to install, help with taste, and reduce issues like scaling over time. They won’t soften your water, though, so keep that in mind.

7. Lower Hot Water Temperatures

Set your water heater a little lower. Hotter water causes minerals to deposit faster, so a lower temp can help slow scale in pipes and tanks.

Solving Hard Water With Softening, Filtration, or Conditioning

When at-home tricks aren’t enough, or hard water represents a clear and present danger to your plumbing, it’s time to look at more permanent solutions. Here in the Bay Area, you have three main options: softening, conditioning, or filtration systems. See the chart below for a quick overview.

Solution	What It Does	Best For	Not For	Example Product
Water Softeners	Remove calcium & magnesium using ion exchange	Scale buildup, soap scum, appliance life	Removing contaminants like lead	Hydronex® iGen® Whole-house Water Softener System
High-End Water Filter	Remove chlorine, lead, and chemicals	Health-related contaminants, taste	Hardness/mineral removal	GOODSPRING® CWS Salt Free Home Water Filtration System & Chloramine Filter
Low-End House Filter	Remove chlorine, lead, and chemicals	Health-related contaminants, affordability	Very hard water, full removal	Waterdrop WHF21-PG 5 Micron 2-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System
Pre-Sediment Water Filter	Removes large particles before water enters the system	Protecting main filters, softeners, and plumbing	Fine particle or chemical removal	Reusable Whole House Spin Down Sediment Water Filter 50 Micron

Get an Edge on Hard Water with Caccia

Letting hard water continue to flow into your home unchecked is a recipe for disaster. Problems like scaling and mineral build-up can go unnoticed for years until they suddenly cause a catastrophic failure like a massive water heater leak. That’s why it’s so important to call a professional for help!

At Caccia Home Services, we provide straightforward water treatment options tailored to your budget and goals so you can enjoy clean, safe water without breaking the bank. Our licensed pros can test your water, look for signs of damage you can’t see, and help you install the best possible system for your needs.

Call (650) 294-8504 today or send us a message to schedule an appointment!