Hard Water in Austin: What It's Doing to Your Home and How to Fix It

That white crusty buildup isn't just ugly—it's costing you money. Here's what Hill Country homeowners need to know.

I'm Justin Sims, and if you live in the Austin area, you've got hard water. It's not a question of if—it's a question of how hard and what you're going to do about it.

Central Texas water comes from limestone aquifers. As water filters through all that rock over thousands of years, it picks up dissolved minerals—primarily calcium and magnesium. That mineral content is what makes water "hard."

And that hard water is slowly doing a number on your plumbing, appliances, and fixtures.

How Hard Is Austin's Water?

Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm). Here's the scale:

• **Soft:** 0-3.5 gpg
• **Moderately hard:** 3.5-7 gpg
• **Hard:** 7-10.5 gpg
• **Very hard:** 10.5+ gpg

Austin's water typically runs **10-20+ gpg**—solidly in the "very hard" category. Some areas in the Hill Country test even higher. If you're on well water, you might see 25+ gpg.

To put that in perspective: water in Seattle runs about 1-2 gpg. You're dealing with 10-20 times more mineral content.

What Hard Water Does to Your Home

Plumbing Fixtures and Faucets

That white, chalky buildup on your faucets and showerheads? That's mineral scale—mostly calcium carbonate. It's not just cosmetic.

Effects:

• Reduced water flow through showerheads and aerators
• Stiff or sticky faucet handles
• Corroded finishes on fixtures
• Shorter lifespan for hardware

**On high-end fixtures:** If you've invested in Brizo, Kohler, or other premium fixtures, hard water accelerates wear and diminishes their appearance. It's like running sandpaper over your investment.

Water Heater Damage

This is where hard water costs you real money.

As water heats, minerals precipitate out and settle at the bottom of your tank water heater. Over time, you get a thick layer of sediment that:

• **Reduces efficiency:** The burner has to heat through the sediment to heat the water. Gas bills go up.
• **Causes overheating:** The tank works harder, stressing the metal and reducing lifespan.
• **Creates noise:** That rumbling or popping sound? Sediment.
• **Leads to premature failure:** Tanks fail years earlier than they should.

**For tankless water heaters:** Scale builds up in the heat exchanger, reducing efficiency and eventually causing failure if not addressed.

Appliances

Dishwashers, washing machines, ice makers, coffee machines—anything that uses hot water is vulnerable.

Effects:

• Reduced heating efficiency
• Clogged spray arms and nozzles
• Spotty dishes and glasses
• Scale buildup in lines and valves
• Shortened appliance lifespan

The average dishwasher lasts 7-10 years in hard water versus 12-15 in soft water. Similar story for washing machines.

Pipes

Over decades, mineral scale accumulates inside pipes, particularly hot water lines. This:

• Reduces internal pipe diameter
• Decreases water pressure
• Creates turbulence that accelerates corrosion
• Eventually requires repiping

Your Skin and Hair

Hard water isn't a plumbing issue, strictly speaking—but it's worth mentioning. The minerals make it harder for soap to lather and rinse clean.

Results:

• Dry, itchy skin
• Dull, flat hair
• Soap scum left on skin after showering
• More product needed to feel clean

Cleaning Challenges

Ever notice how hard it is to get glass shower doors truly clean? Or how water spots reappear immediately? That's hard water.

Hard water makes cleaning harder:

• Soap scum builds up faster
• Water spots on everything
• More scrubbing required
• More cleaning products used

Solutions for Hard Water

Option 1: Water Softener (Ion Exchange)

This is the most effective whole-house solution.

**How it works:** Hard water passes through a tank filled with resin beads that are charged with sodium ions. The calcium and magnesium ions swap places with the sodium—hard minerals are trapped in the tank, and softened water flows through your home.

**Periodically**, the system regenerates: salt water flushes the tank, recharging the resin and sending the accumulated minerals down the drain.

Benefits:

• Virtually eliminates scale buildup
• Protects all appliances and fixtures
• Extends water heater life significantly
• Softer skin and hair
• Easier cleaning
• Less soap and detergent needed

Considerations:

• Adds a small amount of sodium to water (not ideal for sodium-restricted diets)
• Requires regular salt refills (about monthly)
• Uses water during regeneration
• Upfront investment ($1,500-3,500 installed for quality systems)

**My recommendation:** For most Hill Country homes, a quality water softener pays for itself in extended appliance life and reduced water heater maintenance.

Option 2: Salt-Free Water Conditioner (TAC/Template Assisted Crystallization)

These systems don't remove minerals—they change their structure so they don't stick to surfaces as easily.

Benefits:

• No salt needed
• No wastewater from regeneration
• Lower maintenance
• Doesn't add sodium

Limitations:

• Less effective than true softening
• Won't give you the "slippery" soft water feel
• Some scale can still form under certain conditions
• Not ideal for extremely hard water

Option 3: Reverse Osmosis (Drinking Water)

RO systems push water through a membrane that removes minerals, contaminants, and impurities.

**Best for:** Drinking and cooking water (not whole-house)

Most commonly installed under the kitchen sink with a dedicated faucet. Great for improving taste and purity, but not practical for whole-house use.

Option 4: Regular Maintenance (No System)

If you can't or don't want to install a softening system, aggressive maintenance can minimize damage:

• Flush water heater quarterly (or more often)
• Clean showerheads and faucets monthly
• Descale appliances regularly
• Use vinegar or commercial descalers frequently

This doesn't prevent the problem, but it manages the symptoms.