The Best Way to Test Water Hardness: Ultimate Homeowner’s Guide

Water hardness is a very significant parameter as far as the quality of your home water. Hard water may lead to the accumulation of scale in the pipes, loss of efficiency in appliances, and spotting of dishes and glass ware. If you are wondering how to test your water for hardness, this guide will take you through the most appropriate ways.

What is Water Hardness?

The hardness of water is the degree of soluble minerals in your water; primarily they are calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not something that is dangerous to your health, but it can be a nuisance in your house.

Signs You May Have Hard Water:

· Soap doesn't lather well

· Spots on dishes or fixtures which are white and chalky

· Stiff laundry after washing

· The accumulation of scale in kettles, coffee makers or water heaters

· Dry skin and dull hair

When you observe these symptoms, the first thing that you need to do in solving the problem is to test your water.

Why Test Water Hardness?

Testing your water helps you:

· Check whether you must have a water softener

· Select the appropriate kind of softener

· Keep plumbing and appliances safe

· Enhance the use of soap and detergents

Knowing how hard the water you are using is will help you save in the long run.

Different Levels of Water Hardness

The hardness of water is normally determined in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm).

In general, they fall into the following categories:

Hardness Level	Grains Per Gallon (gpg)	Parts Per Million (ppm)
Soft	0 – 3.5 gpg	0 – 60 ppm
Moderately Hard	3.5 – 7 gpg	60 – 120 ppm
Hard	7 – 10.5 gpg	120 – 180 ppm
Very Hard	Over 10.5 gpg	Over 180 ppm

How to Test Water Hardness at Home

There are several methods you can use to test water hardness, ranging from simple DIY tricks to more accurate testing kits.

DIY Soap Test

What You Need:

· An empty clean bottle (such as a water bottle)

· Body wash or pure liquid soap (not detergent)

· Tap water

Steps:

· Pour in 1/3 c of cold tap water into the bottle

· Place approximately of 10 drops of pure liquid soap

· Cover the bottle and shake it well (10-15 seconds)

Results:

· Exceptional number of suds plus clear water: Soft water

· Cloudy or milky water: Hard water

Note: This does not provide a numerical output of the test; however, it is a fast indicator type.

Water Hardness Test Strips

Test strips are inexpensive, easy to operate, and can be found in any hardware store or online.

How to Use:

· Turn your tap to cold water and let it run a few seconds

· Wet the test strip by placing it in the water (normally a few seconds)

· Take away and wait until it changes color

· Match strip color with chart

Accuracy:

· Gives results in gpg or ppm

· Perfect for the typical household

NOTE: Brands like Hach, Water Safe, and JNW Direct can be trusted.

Liquid Test Kits

These kits involve the use of liquid reagents, and typically they give higher readings than strips.

How to Use:

· Take a sample of the water in the given container

· Add a few drops of reagent

· Note the change of color, and compare it with a chart

· Others use the titration method (drops are added till the color turns) and you can count the drops and use them to measure the hardness

Pros:

· Greater accuracy

· Calibration of water softener system

· Digital water hardness testers (upgraded option)

Digital testers give accurate results. This is an excellent method when you need to check the hardness regularly.

Features:

· Reusable

· Measures “Total Dissolved Solids” (TDS) which correlates with hardness

· Gives readings in ppm or gpg

Note: It is not calcium/magnesium that is measured by TDS meters, but they can still be found helpful.

Get a Professional Water Test

When you need the precision of the laboratory or have other issues with water (such as lead or iron), then you can seek the services of a professional.

How it Works:

· Technician samples

· Labs analyze numerous elements

· Findings are precise and well explained

Where to Get It:

· Local water purification firms

· Plumbing services

· Environmental labs

· Your county’s water department

How to Test Well Water for Hardness

When using well water, testing becomes more crucial since it is not regulated as compared to city water.

One or both of the methods above should also be considered in testing:

· Iron

· Manganese

· Bacteria

· Nitrates

More advanced testing is available with the assistance of your local extension office or well water specialist.

How Often Should You Test Your Water?

· Once a year if you're on a well

· Every 2 to 3 years for city water

· More often if there is change in taste, pressure, or appliance functionality

What to Do if You Have Hard Water

If you have hard water, depending on your test, the following are different treatment options available:

Install a Water Softener

A water softener is the most widespread method, and it involves the use of salt (ion exchange) to substitute calcium and magnesium with sodium or potassium.

Salt-Free Alternatives

There are systems that utilize filters or conditioners rather than salt. Although they do not make water soft, they may slow the scale formation.

Apply Solution to Appliances

Temporary measures can be achieved using dishwasher additives or washing machine boosters to control the impact of hard water.