Hard water: what to check before buying a softener

Understand the symptom

Water hardness relates primarily to dissolved calcium and magnesium. It can contribute to scale and interfere with soap performance. Visible deposits are a reason to investigate, not a precise measurement.

Use information for your address

Identify the water supplier on your bill and ask about current hardness information. Test the water entering the home before selecting or setting equipment.

Match treatment to the problem

Softening addresses hardness. Taste, odor, and other water-quality concerns may require a different assessment. Explain the actual concern instead of assuming one device treats everything.

Further reading: USGS: Hardness of Water.