Does Houston Have Hard Water…And What Can I Do About It?

In 2022, the water quality report for Houston reported the water hardness level as approximately 135 mg/L or about 7.9 grains per gallon, classifying the water as hard. In just one year, the quality of water in Houston has remained relatively consistent. In Houston Public Works’ most recent annual water quality report from 2023, the average total hardness in the Houston area is 137 mg/L or 8.0 grains per gallon.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, nearly 90 percent of American homes have hard water – mineral-rich water containing an overabundance of calcium and magnesium. Hard water is tough on appliances and pipes. It also can be rough on you or your family’s skin and hair.

Houston is known for having some of the hardest water in Texas, with high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This mineral-rich water in tap water can negatively impact your home’s plumbing systems, appliances, and even your skin and hair. Poor water quality from mineral deposits can clog faucets, shower heads, and pipes, decreasing water flow and causing premature wear and tear on plumbing fixtures. You may even notice chalky residue or white spots on dishes, or feel the unpleasant effects of dry skin and dull hair after washing.

If you’re dealing with the common challenge of hard water in Houston, a water softener system is your most effective solution. Culligan Water offers reliable water softeners starting as low as $9.95 per month, making it a convenient and affordable way to address hard water issues.

Houston’s hard water can have adverse effects on indoor plumbing, appliances, and daily life. Homes with galvanized copper plumbing are particularly susceptible to mineral buildup in pipes, leading to reduced water pressure and eventual pipe corrosion.

Mineral deposits can form in water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances, decreasing efficiency and contributing to appliance wear. This can also result in strange taste in drinking water, water stains, and even damage to your plumbing system over time.

Water hardness levels can cause scale build-up on shower heads, faucets, and toilets. This buildup not only looks unsightly but also restricts water flow and reduces functionality.

Hard water in Houston can cause a number of issues for your hair:

Dryness and Brittleness: The minerals in hard water can make hair feel drier and more brittle. This is because the calcium and magnesium in hard water can cause the hair cuticles to raise, leading to hair that feels rough and dry.

Dullness: Hard water can leave a film of mineral deposits on the hair, making it look dull and lifeless. This film can also prevent moisture from entering the hair shaft, further contributing to the lack of shine.

Tangled Hair: The raised cuticles caused by hard water can make hair more prone to tangling. This can lead to increased breakage when combing or brushing.

Scalp Build-up: The minerals in hard water can accumulate on the scalp, leading to build-up. This can cause itchiness, dandruff, and even hair loss in some cases.

Fading Hair Color: If you have colored or dyed hair, hard water can cause the color to fade more quickly. The minerals in the water can also alter the color, sometimes leading to unwanted brassy or greenish tones.

Reduced Lathering: Hard water can reduce the lathering ability of shampoos. This means you might end up using more shampoo than necessary, which can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to further dryness.

Hair Thinning and Hair Loss: Over time, the build-up of minerals can clog hair follicles, potentially leading to hair thinning and hair loss.

The short answer is no. Many people may notice a change in their hair if they move from a location with hard water to a location with soft water, however this change is generally unrelated to the amount of hair you have (or whether it’s falling out)— rather it has to do with the quality of your hair. In general, other changes in your environment may cause hair loss. If you’re not eating a healthy diet, or recently experienced a stressful event like moving homes or starting a new job, the hair loss culprit is more likely that than your water quality.

There are proactive steps you can take to stop hard water buildup from affecting your home or your family. This includes keeping your surfaces around water clean and dry, and using spray cleaner on shower doors and mirrors regularly.

Home remedies can help temporarily. Most solutions involve white vinegar, which is a general household cleaning solution:

Soap scum is the white film that comes from the addition to the fatty contents of soap to the mineral-rich ions of hard water. These are technically called “lime soaps.”

This type of soap is ineffective in washing dishes, clothes or hair. Because of this, more soap is required to form a lather, and more can stick to your hair and skin. Synthetic detergents are less likely to make this reaction.

Fixtures are the hardest places to deal with hard water spots, because often you can’t see the heart of the problem.

An easy way to deal with this, however, is to remove the fixtures (if you can) and soak them in a solution of vinegar or lemon juice. Even if it’s only a few hours, soaking fixtures helps dissolve hard water build up throughout, and can access hard-to-reach places where buildup can be causing the most issues.

If you can’t remove the fixtures, try filling a water-tight plastic bag with your vinegar or lemon solution and tying it to the fixture (rubber bands can be a great way to get this to hold.) Leave it on as long as you can, and you should find your fixtures running clearer than before.

A water softener provides numerous benefits that pay for itself over time.

In addition to reducing chemical exposure when you shower, shower head filters can also improve your hair’s shine and feel, as well as support healthier, softer skin by minimizing contact with chemicals and toxins. If you choose a water filter that softens water as well, you’ll also notice that you need less soap, shampoo, and conditioner to get the job done as soft water helps less product lather up quickly — saving you money with every shower.

Shower head filters can be useful even — and especially — if you live in a dorm, rental home, or apartment, or somewhere that already features whole home water filtration. Not all water filters are created equal, so unless you’ve done the research to know exactly what kind of water filter your water is passing through, it may not make much difference when it comes to your general health, hair or skin care routine.

Softeners and filtration systems need to be serviced regularly to be effective, so if your landlord or property manager isn’t on top of the recommended maintenance, a shower head filter can be a great choice to ensure your shower is not only safe, but easier on your hair and skin. An extra bonus? Your shower will also be easier to clean, since shower head filters make it less likely water will leave unsightly or hard-to-remove hard water spots and residue on the shower and fixtures.

Soap scum isn’t just for your bathroom tiles – it can build up on your skin, too. The minerals in hard water leave a film around your epidermis that clogs your pores, trapping the natural oils and forming blemishes.

The natural oils in your skin work hard to lubricate and provide moisture. The film left around your skin clogs your pores, leaving your skin to feel dry and itchy.

Hard water may cause your skin to age faster. Dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross says many of the impurities in hard water can form free radicals that damage healthy skin cells. This can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. This can also lead to a breakdown of collagen, a structural protein that helps your skin look and feel healthy.

The piping used in home plumbing, whether copper or PVC, does not allow the bacteria to settle and grow. But over time, scaling from the hard water provides a surface for bacteria to grow on, increasing the risk of pathogenic bacteria such as Legionella, which can cause Legionnaire’s Disease.

Lime scale will reduce the flow of water in your plumbing system by clogging pipes. This is particularly a big issue for older homes with steel pipes. Your water pressure can lower over time, possibly requiring a full pipe replacement.

The chronic, itchy skin rash that affects 20 percent of babies and young children is painful for your child, and a pain for you to deal with. Furthermore, while eczema conditions are known to improve with age, there is no true cure, and its regression is unpredictable in nature.

There are many preventative measures that people practice to mitigate the effects of eczema, or the chances of your child contracting it. Most are related to clothing, detergents, bathing, topical creams, certain diets, and prescription medicine.

But what about the effects of hard water on your baby’s skin? From the bathtub to the laundry, the water used during these essential life events can have an adverse effect on your child.

High levels of hard water may be associated with atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Lead author of the study Carsten Flohr, Ph.D. of the Institute of Dermatology at King’s College London, noted the purpose was not to study the causes and effects of eczema, but rather an association of homes that have hard water and the prevalence of eczema within those homes.

“We are about to launch a feasibility trial to assess whether installing a water softener in homes of high-risk children around the time of birth may reduce the risk of eczema, and whether reducing chlorine levels brings any additional benefits.”

Calcium and magnesium can do a number on your laundry. The fabrics can stiffen, and the color may dull if the dissolved minerals are not suspended in water when it is drained.

Many of your laundry detergent molecules are not being used properly, as they bind up the calcium and magnesium. This leaves less of these molecules available to trap dirt and grime.

A water softener provides numerous benefits for homes facing hard water issues. Here are some of the key advantages:

Culligan offers a range of water softeners to meet different needs and preferences. It’s recommended to consult with a Culligan Houston representative or a water treatment professional for a personalized recommendation.

That being said, here are some common types of Culligan water softeners:

When selecting a Culligan water softener for your Houston home, it’s crucial to consider factors like your water hardness level, water usage patterns, space availability for installation, and any specific concerns you have (such as water efficiency or additional water treatment needs).