Hard Water Woes in Fort Collins: Your Guide to Water Softeners and Filtration Systems

If you live in Fort Collins and the CSU area, everyday tasks like doing the dishes can quickly become frustrating because of the area’s hard water. Spots on the dishes, stiff laundry, and a chalky film on shower doors are due to our water source. The Cache la Poudre River is rich in minerals that can end up harming your plumbing systems.

As a homeowner, there are a few important steps you can take to protect against hard water in Fort Collins. Our licensed plumbers can recommend the best hard water solutions and preventative tips, so you can extend the longevity of your plumbing fixtures and prevent costly repairs.

Quick Safety Note: Before you attempt any plumbing work, you need to figure out where your home’s main water shutoff valve is and how to turn it off. Any mistakes while installing a water treatment system can lead to significant water damage if the water is on and a mistake is made. We strongly recommend using a professional plumber for your installation.

What That Sign Likely Means (Symptom-by-Symptom Guide)

If you live along the Front Range, you may experience common signs of hard water. If your home has any of the following issues, you can reach out to our team for a consultation about water filtration and purification systems.

Spots on Dishes & Glassware

Spots on your dishes and glassware tend to be the most obvious signs of hard water in a home. These spots occur due to magnesium and calcium deposits in the water. After you wash the dishes, the water evaporates and leaves the mineral residue behind. 

Although using a rinse aid can make the problem appear to be gone, this isn’t a permanent solution. Getting a water softener in Fort Collins is necessary to remove minerals from your water supply.

Scale Buildup & Low Water Pressure

Take a look at your faucets and showerheads. If there is a crusty, white buildup, it is due to limescale. While you can easily clean limescale off the outside of your fixtures, it is also occurring on the inside as well. Over time, this can restrict the flow of water and damage your home’s plumbing components. 

Scale buildup removal is essential for protecting the longevity of your systems. Over the long run, a water softener is also important for preventing additional buildup and damage from happening.

Stiff, Dull Laundry

If you have hard water in Fort Collins, you may notice stiff fabric after you do the laundry. This is because the hard water minerals get trapped in the fibers of your clothes. As a result, they can look dull and feel rough to the touch. Unfortunately, hard water can also stop your detergent from cleaning effectively. 

By installing a water softener, you can use up to 50% less detergent on your fabric. Soft water can also help you enjoy brighter, softer clothing. 

Dry Skin & Dull Hair

Dry skin and dull hair can occur when hard water leaves behind an invisible film. Besides preventing moisture absorption, this can clog your pores. By getting a water softener, you can enjoy softer skin and hair.

Bad Taste or Chlorine Smell

Sometimes, Northern Colorado homeowners reach out because they notice a foul taste or chlorine odor. This is generally not due to a hard water vs. soft water issue. Instead, the taste and smell are due to the disinfection process the city uses or dissolved solids. Rather than get a water softener, you should invest in a whole-house carbon filter or a reverse osmosis system.

Why Fort Collins Homes Are Prone to Hard Water

As water travels down from the Cache la Poudre River and into the ground, it brings calcium, magnesium, and dissolved minerals with it. While the city treats the water so that it is safe to drink, the dissolved minerals remain in it. From the older homes and aging pipes in Old Town to the new builds in the Harmony Corridor, hard water can have a major impact on the area’s plumbing systems.

DIY Checks You Can Safely Try

As you learn about plumbing maintenance for older homes vs. new builds in Larimer County, there are a few things you can do to prevent the municipal water hardness from damaging your home’s plumbing.

• Do: Use vinegar to dissolve mineral scale on your showerheads and faucet aerators. Soak them overnight for the best results.
• Do: Add a rinse aid when you wash dishes to prevent spots on your glasses.
• Do: Check Fort Collins’ annual water quality report to see the latest hardness data. 
• Don’t: Never use harsh cleaners on your fixtures. The abrasive chemicals can damage the finish.
• Don’t: Never use a store-bought water test kit to determine the softener size you need because they aren’t accurate enough.

When to Call a Professional

You may need a professional plumber in Fort Collins if you don’t already have a water softener installed. While cleaning the mineral scale can help temporarily alleviate the issue, it doesn’t actually solve the underlying problem. To fix hard water, it’s essential to reach out for professional plumbing services in Fort Collins.

At Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we can help you determine the best type of water softeners and water filtration in Fort Collins. We’ll start by performing an accurate water test to determine how hard the water is in grains per gallon (GPG). Then, we’ll review your family’s current water usage. This allows us to determine the right size for your water softener or filtration system for the most efficient, effective results.

The Solution: Water Treatment Systems

Whether you want a reverse osmosis system, water heater maintenance, or a whole-house water filter, our team of licensed plumbers can help. To remedy your hard water woes, you need a system that is expressly designed for the job. 

• Scale and Buildup Issues: If you’re struggling with scale or buildup, a water softener is your best choice. These devices use a method called ion exchange to reduce the calcium and magnesium in the water. Our team can discuss whether a salt vs. salt-free softener is the best choice for your home.
• Taste and Odor Problems: Sometimes, homeowners struggle with unusual tastes and odors. If chlorine or chemicals are the main problem, a whole-house carbon filter is your best bet. To achieve the purest water, a reverse osmosis system is considered the gold standard.
• The Complete Solution: In Fort Collins, the ideal setup pairs a water softener and a reverse osmosis system to reduce the water hardness and achieve a high level of purity.

Protect Your Plumbing System From Hard Water 

Dealing with hard water in Fort Collins is a constant struggle. By learning how to spot dry skin, spots on glasses, scale, and common signs of hard water, you can determine the best system for your needs.

Once you install a water softener, you can increase the lifespan of your appliances and fixtures. More importantly, a water softener can improve your family’s daily comfort. 

If you’re tired of fighting an uphill battle against scale and buildup, Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has the extensive experience and solutions you need. Our certified plumbers can help you prevent major damage and plumbing repairs from happening. We understand local plumbing codes and water quality issues, so you can enjoy a hassle-free experience and superior results.

Call Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today for a professional water analysis and a free estimate in Northern Colorado.