Hard water may seem minor, but it can have a significant impact on your comfort, plumbing, and budget. If you’re dealing with spots on dishes, dry skin, or buildup around faucets, hardness could be the reason.
What Is Hard Water and Why Does It Matter?
Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals are naturally occurring and safe to consume, but they can create issues inside your home.
Over time, hard water can:
- Reduce the lifespan of appliances by causing mineral buildup
- Leave chalky residue on dishes, faucets, and shower doors
- Make soap and shampoo less effective
- Leave your skin feeling dry or itchy
It’s a common issue in Central Illinois, and many homeowners experience its effects without realizing the cause.
So why does it matter? The longer hard water goes untreated, the more damage it can cause to your plumbing, appliances, and comfort.
Knowing what’s in your water is the first step toward cleaner, healthier water—and better long-term results for your home.
Causes of Hard Water
Hard water originates from your local environment. As groundwater moves through layers of mineral-rich rock, such as limestone, chalk, or gypsum, it absorbs calcium and magnesium. These minerals dissolve into the water, increasing its hardness.
Several factors affect how hard your water is:
- Source – Well water tends to be more complicated than municipal water.
- Geology – The more mineral-rich the local soil and rock, the higher the hardness.
- Plumbing system – Aging pipes can amplify the effects of hard water by accumulating scale.
Even low levels of these minerals can lead to costly issues, especially in your water heater and major appliances.
Tired of Dealing with Hard Water?
At C-U Trade Services, we make understanding what’s in your water easy. Whether you’re dealing with mineral deposits, poor taste, or skin irritation, we’ll help you find the best fix. We offer a FREE water test—no pressure, no obligation—just answers.
Visit our showroom to collect your test kit.
Health Implications of Hard Water
From a health standpoint, hard water is generally safe to drink. It contains trace amounts of calcium and magnesium—both essential nutrients. But when it comes to your skin, hair, and overall comfort, hard water can be less forgiving.
Common effects include:
- Soap is not rinsing off properly, causing dry or itchy skin
- Scalp buildup and dull-looking hair
- Stiff laundry and faded fabrics
- Soap scum on showers and tubs
Hard water can sometimes exacerbate symptoms for people with skin sensitivities or eczema. Most homeowners prefer the feel of softened water, which tends to be gentler and more effective for cleaning.
Measuring Water Hardness
Testing is the only way to know if you suspect your water is hard. We offer professional water testing to help you understand your exact mineral levels.
Hardness is measured in:
- Grains per gallon (gpg)
- Milligrams per liter (mg/L)
We also check for other concerns, such as iron bacteria, sediment, chlorine, or unusual odors.
Common signs that it’s time to test include:
- Greasy, gritty, or stringy water
- Orange, red, or black water tint
- Rotten egg or musty odor
- Sand, sediment, or cloudy water
- Green or blue stains on sinks and tubs
- Bitter, salty, or metallic taste
What a Water Treatment System Can Do
Based on your water test results, we’ll recommend a system tailored to your specific concerns. Water softeners are ideal for removing minerals like magnesium, lime, calcium, radon, and non-oxidized iron. If you’re dealing with chemical contaminants, a whole-home filtration system can reduce chlorine, pesticides, detergents, hydrogen sulfides, ammonia, and other organic compounds. For more advanced protection, reverse osmosis systems can eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria, as well as lead, nitrates, arsenic, fluoride, and chromium-6. No matter which solution is right for you, all of our systems include a 7-year full coverage warranty for added peace of mind.
Your Next Step Toward Cleaner Water
If you notice the signs of hard water—or anything unusual about your water’s taste, odor, or color—don’t wait for things to get worse. A water softener or filtration system can protect your home, improve comfort, and save you money in the long run.
We’re here to help you make a confident, informed decision.
Get Started Today!
Pick up your free water test kit at our showroom.
1153 County Road 1200 East
Champaign, IL 61822
No obligation. No pressure. Just clear, reliable answers—and solutions that work.
