Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if your home is showing signs of hard water. That’s why Shelton’s Water offers our quick and easy water quality scorer! Check out the common symptoms on the water hardness scale below. While not all homes will experience water hardness symptoms the same, this list will give you a good idea if you’re suffering from hard water. The lower your score, the worse your hard water might be!

Soft Water

Soft water makes everyday tasks in your home easier and more enjoyable. Your appliances – like dishwashers, washing machines and coffee makers – stay cleaner and last longer without mineral buildup getting in the way. You’ll also see a difference in your dishes: glasses will sparkle and plates will shine, free of spots or residue.

Laundry comes out softer, brighter and more comfortable against your skin. Soap and shampoo lather up quickly, making showers feel more refreshing. And your skin and hair? They’ll feel smooth, hydrated and itch-free. With soft water, your home simply works – and feels – better.

Moderately Hard Water

When your water is somewhat hard, the issues may be subtle but still noticeable over time. You might start to see minor clogs or mineral stains in sinks and tubs. Rings on faucets and showerheads become more common, and soap doesn’t lather quite like it should.

Laundry might not feel as soft or look as vibrant as it could, even with fabric softeners. Dishes could come out with a cloudy film, and your showers might leave your skin feeling a bit dry. If you find yourself using more soap or shampoo than usual, it could be due to those extra minerals in your water.

Very Hard Water

Severely hard water makes its presence known. You’ll likely spot a white, chalky residue – known as scale – on faucets, showerheads and inside your appliances. Over time, this buildup can clog pipes and shorten the life of dishwashers, water heaters and more.

Dishware washed in hard water often comes out with spots or a dull film. Laundry may feel stiff and look faded. Showers can leave behind stubborn soap scum and leave your skin dry, tight and irritated. Even your hair might feel rough or unmanageable, no matter what products you use.

What Hard Water Looks Like In Dallas–Fort Worth

If any of the issues above sound familiar, your home is probably experiencing high levels of water hardness – and that’s very typical for the DFW Metroplex. In this region, water hardness regularly starts around 8 grains per gallon (gpg) and can often climb above 10 gpg, qualifying as very hard by national standards.

Why? North Texas sits on mineral-rich soil and limestone bedrock. As water travels through this ground before reaching your home, it collects high concentrations of calcium and magnesium – the culprits behind hard water.