shutterstock_11509171The catastrophes that hard water can do on so many things are often discussed. From hair to shower fixtures, hard water can wreak havoc. A proactive approach to protecting your home from hard water damage is the first step in your making sure your bathroom fixtures, pipes, and other assets have long lives. Here are some tips on how to protect your bathroom from hard water damage. What Is Hard Water

Hard water is water that has a high concentration of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. As ground water passes through soil and rocks, the water can pick up these minerals, and become dissolved in the water. The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon (GPG) or by parts per million (ppm). If the water has more than 17.1 ppm or 1 GPG, it is considered to be hard water. 85% of the water in the United States is considered hard.

Since the majority of the water in the US is hard water, most people are affected. Here ae some tips to protect your bathroom from hard water.

  1. Don’t let hard water dry on surfaces
If hard water comes in contact with a surface, wipe it immediately. This will keep the water from evaporating and leaving the mineral deposits behind to do damage on your bathroom surfaces. After showers, use a glass squeegee or a towel to remove the water from the shower doors, fixtures and tiles. This will prevent hard water stains from forming on the surface.
  1. Use a spray cleaner on shower doors
Let’s say you don’t want to squeegee down your shower door after every shower? Well, here’s an alternative. Use a spray cleaner on your shower doors after every use to prevent hard water stains. Some people also use Rain-X as an alternative to this as well.
  1. Use Mineral-Fighting Solutions
There are many solutions to combat hard water stains in homes. There are also many all natural solutions that are safe, yet effective. White vinegar and lemon juice is an excellent way to fight hard water stains in toilets, sinks and on bathroom surfaces. You can use it as a spray, or allow it to sit for the harder to combat stains, then scrub with a brush recommended for the surface.
  1. Purchase a water softener
Water softeners are a great way to treat the whole house for the hard water issue. Water softeners remove the minerals from the water before they have a chance to come in contact with your home surfaces. Water softeners also provide a defense to mineral deposits in your pipes, a problem that simple cleaning solutions can’t fix.