You might have heard of a water softener before, but if you have never realized that you have hard water, you might have never thought about purchasing one. However, if you have hard water in your home, installing a water softener is a good way to preserve your appliances and plumbing fixtures and to otherwise prevent the issues that can go along with this common problem. If you are unsure of whether or not you have hard water, you can first take a look around your kitchen. These are a few signs of hard water that you might notice in this part of your home.

1. Streaky Dishes

Have you found that your dishes never look clean, no matter how much you wash them? For example, do your glasses always have a streaky appearance? If so, hard water might be to blame. With hard water, the extra minerals that are in the water can accumulate on your glasses and other dishes when you wash them, leaving a streaky, dull appearance. Once you install a water softener in your home, however, you're sure to notice that your dishes sparkle and shine like they haven't in ages.

2. Mineral Deposit Clogs in Your Dishwasher

If your dishwasher frequently stops working because the water lines become clogged, you should know that they might be being clogged with mineral deposits. Over time, mineral deposits can clump together in your dishwasher's water lines, causing a dirty appearance upon closer inspection and causing your dishwasher not to operate correctly. After cleaning out the mineral deposits so that you can use your dishwasher effectively, it's a good idea to look into installing a water softener to help prevent the problem from occurring again.

3. Dry Hands After Washing Dishes

Sure, it might not seem abnormal for your hands to be a bit dry and uncomfortable after spending a lot of time washing dishes and doing other kitchen chores. However, there is one potential culprit that you might not have thought about -- your water. Hard water can dry out your skin, so if you notice that this problem is particularly worrisome, it might be time to have a plumber come out to install a water softener.

Installing a water softener in your home can help you avoid hard water-related problems. Consider looking for these kitchen clues that you might have hard water, or talk to a plumber about whether or not you should install a water softener in your house. Contact a business, such as Anderson Water Systems, for more information.