Water Hardness - How to Check for Hard Water
Hard water can negatively impact appliances by causing limescale buildup, leading to reduced efficiency, increased energy consumption, and shortened appliance lifespan. The minerals in hard water, like calcium and magnesium, form deposits that can clog pipes, filters, and heating elements. Many consumers may decide to check for water hardness in the area where they live.
Checking for Water Hardness
The following is a list of steps that you can take to test your water for hardness:
If you live in a municipal area, check with your local water company.
If you live in a rural area, or some suburban areas, contact your local water company or a county extension agent.
Have your water tested by a laboratory. You can have your household tap water tested for hardness, dissolved solids, iron, PH, and amount of corrosiveness by an independent, EPA certified laboratory. For more information, check out our Water Softener - Determining Your Water Hardness article.
What Is Considered Hard Water
Soft water is 0-3 gpg (grains per gallon).
Medium water is 3-7 gpg.
Hard water is 7-12 gpg. Anything over 12 gpg is very hard, and a water softener is recommended.
If you have the hardness in "parts per million" (PPM) or "milligrams per liter" (MgPL) and need to convert to "grains per gallon" (GPG), use the following formulas:
PPM / MgPL to GPG: Divide by 17.118.
GPG to PPM or MgPL: Multiply by 17.118.
Example: 300 PPM divided by 17.118 = 17.5 GPG
Note: "Milligrams per liter" is the same as "parts per million".
Video - What Is Hard Water
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