Houston is a city full of life, culture, and constant growth—but one thing many homeowners still struggle with is hard water. Because Houston relies on a mix of surface water and groundwater sources, mineral levels can be high—especially calcium and magnesium, the minerals responsible for hard water.

While not harmful to drink, hard water can impact your home, your comfort, and your appliances in ways you might not expect. If you’ve ever wondered whether your home is dealing with hard water, here’s how to tell if you have hard water in Houston.

1. White, Chalky Buildup on Fixtures

One of the most visible signs of hard water is limescale buildup—that white, crusty residue that appears on:

• Showerheads

• Faucets

• Sink fixtures

• Glass shower doors

• Stainless steel surfaces

In Houston’s warm climate, water evaporates quickly and leaves minerals behind, making buildup appear faster and more noticeably than in cooler regions.

2. Cloudy or Spotty Dishes

If your dishes come out of the dishwasher with:

• White spots

• Cloudy film

• Chalky residue

—your water likely contains high hardness minerals. The minerals bond with detergent, causing poor rinsing and leaving behind visible marks.

Even premium dish detergents struggle to overcome Houston’s hardness levels.

3. Soap Scum That Doesn’t Go Away

Hard water makes soap less effective and harder to rinse. If you see:

• Soap scum on sinks

• A film on shower walls

• Residue in bathtubs

…you’re dealing with one of the clearest signs of hard water.

4. Dry Skin and Itchy Scalp

Hard water leaves a mineral film on your skin that blocks natural moisture. Because Houston’s heat already dries skin, the effect becomes even more noticeable.

You may experience:

• Dry or itchy skin

• Tightness after showering

• Scalp irritation

• Dull or frizzy hair

If your toiletries feel like they’re not working as well as they should, hard water could be the reason.

5. Laundry That Feels Stiff or Looks Dull

Hard water affects how detergent dissolves, leading to:

• Scratchy towels

• Stiff clothing

• Colors that fade faster

• Detergent residue in fabrics

Your laundry can start feeling worn out even when it’s brand new.

6. Reduced Water Pressure

Minerals from hard water collect inside pipes and showerheads over time. This buildup narrows openings and restricts flow.

You may notice:

• Slow-running faucets

• Weak or inconsistent shower pressure

• Clogged aerators

Older Houston homes often experience this sooner because of aging plumbing.

7. Appliances Wearing Out Early

If your water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, or ice maker seems to struggle—or fail sooner than expected—hard water may be the reason.

Hardness minerals create scale on internal components, which:

• Forces appliances to work harder

• Increases energy usage

• Shortens lifespan

• Causes costly repairs

A water heater impacted by scale can lose 20%–30% efficiency.

8. Bad-Tasting Tap Water or Ice

While not always caused by hardness alone, many Houston homeowners experience:

• Bitter or metallic flavors

• Chlorine smell

• Off-tasting ice

A drinking water filtration system paired with a softener solves both taste and hardness-related issues.

Why Hard Water Is Common in Houston

Houston’s water comes from:

• Surface water (like Lake Houston)

• Groundwater wells

• Long distribution routes

Along the way, it picks up naturally occurring minerals. Municipal treatment removes contaminants—but does not remove hardness minerals, meaning they reach your home and begin causing problems.

Hard Water in Houston Is Easy to Detect—and Easy to Fix

If you’ve noticed one or more of these signs, your home likely has hard water. The good news? A whole home water softener removes hardness minerals before they enter your plumbing, improving comfort, protecting appliances, and making your home easier to maintain.

Soft water makes a noticeable difference—from cleaner dishes and softer laundry to healthier skin and stronger water pressure.