Quick answer: Hard water is water high in calcium and magnesium. Tell-tale signs: white crusty buildup on faucets and shower heads, spotty dishes, soap that won’t lather, dry skin, and scale inside pipes and the water heater. The fix is a water softener for the whole house, or a shower head filter and regular descaling for a budget approach.
How to spot and fix hard water, from a licensed plumber.
Signs You Have Hard Water
- White/chalky scale on faucets, shower heads, and kettles
- Spots on glasses and dishes
- Soap and shampoo won’t lather well
- Dry skin and dull hair
- Reduced flow from scaled-up shower heads
Why Hard Water Costs You Money
Scale builds up inside pipes, water heaters, and appliances, shortening their life and raising energy bills. A scaled water heater works harder to heat the same water.
How to Fix It
Whole-house: a water softener treats every tap. Budget/targeted: a shower head filter helps skin and hair, and descaling faucets/shower heads with vinegar removes existing buildup. Test first with a pressure gauge since heavy scale can drop your pressure — see our water pressure guide.
Related Guides
FAQ
How do I know if I have hard water?
Look for white scale on faucets and shower heads, spotty dishes, poor soap lather, and dry skin. A cheap test kit confirms it.
Scale weakening your shower spray? See low water pressure in the shower only.
Is hard water bad for plumbing?
Yes — it builds scale inside pipes, water heaters, and appliances, reducing flow and shortening their lifespan.
What’s the cheapest way to deal with hard water?
A shower head filter plus regular vinegar descaling of fixtures. For a full fix, install a whole-house water softener.
Related: Cost to install a water softener
Seeing odd color at the tap? Our guide to cloudy, brown, or discolored water decodes what each color means.
Related: if your water also smells, see why your water smells like rotten eggs and how to fix it.
Related from Plumbing Picks: Not sure a softener’s the answer? See Do I Need a Water Softener? — and what hard water really costs you each year in The Hidden Cost of Hard Water.
Fix the 12 Most Common Plumbing Problems Yourself — Free Plumber’s Handbook — including how to tell if your water heater is about to fail
Step-by-step fixes for the 12 most common problems — and exactly when to call a pro. Free and instant, from a licensed plumber. Save hundreds on calls you didn’t need.