How Do I Know How Hard My Water Really Is?

Most people never stop to ask, how do I know how hard my water really is? They just get used to the little signs; soap that doesn’t lather, faucets that crust over, skin that never feels clean no matter how much lotion you use. But here’s the truth: those aren’t “little” things. They’re warnings.

If you live in Orange County, your water’s carrying more minerals than you think, quietly wearing down your pipes, your appliances, and your comfort. At McCowin Water, we test what others ignore, so you can finally see what your water’s really doing behind the scenes.

I’m Brian McCowin, and I’ve spent my life testing what hides beneath “clear water.”
If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I know how hard my water really is?” – this one’s for you.

What Water Hardness Actually Means

Hard water is destructive.

It happens when water picks up minerals; mainly calcium and magnesium; as it moves through rock and soil. Those minerals build up inside your plumbing, coat your fixtures, and cling to everything your water touches.

You can’t always see it.
But you’ll feel it.

That film on your dishes?
That chalky buildup around your showerhead?
That “tight” feeling on your skin after a shower?

That’s hard water.
And here in Orange County, it’s not rare… it’s normal.

Why It’s Worse Here in Orange County

Our water comes from two main sources: the Colorado River and local groundwater from the Santa Ana Basin. Both are rich in minerals, meaning our tap water comes in loaded with hardness before it even reaches your home.

In most neighborhoods we test; Irvine, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest; hardness levels range between 15-25 grains per gallon.
For context, anything above 10 grains is considered “very hard.”

So if you’re seeing cloudy glassware, soap that doesn’t lather, or dry skin that never seems to improve… your water is sending a message.

The Hidden Damage Hard Water Causes

Hard water doesn’t explode pipes or flood kitchens.
It does something worse.
It kills slowly.

Inside your water heater, scale coats the heating element – forcing it to work twice as hard to do half as much.
In your dishwasher, minerals crust up the jets until your glasses come out spotted and dull.
In your shower, the same minerals mix with soap, leaving a residue on your skin that blocks pores and dries you out.

It’s not just annoying. It’s expensive.

Here’s what we see all the time:

That’s not a scare tactic. That’s Orange County reality.

The Simple Truth: You Can’t Trust Clear Water

If your water looks clean, that’s the problem.
Hard water hides behind the illusion of purity.
It looks harmless because you can’t see the minerals floating inside it.

But the buildup?
That’s what ruins homes from the inside out.

So when people ask me, “How do I know how hard my water really is?”
I tell them:
Stop guessing. Start testing.

How to Test Water Hardness (and What the Numbers Mean)

You can find out how hard your water is in less than 15 minutes.
Here’s how.

Option 1: The Soap Test (Quick DIY)

• Fill a clear water bottle halfway with tap water.
• Add 10 drops of liquid dish soap (not detergent).
• Shake it.

If it foams up fast and stays sudsy… your water’s soft.
If it barely lathers and leaves a cloudy film… that’s hard water.

It’s a simple trick. But it only shows one thing: you’ve got a problem.

Option 2: Water Hardness Test Strips

These strips change color based on hardness levels.
Just dip, wait, and match the color.

Here’s the scale we use in the field:

Most Orange County homes?
Fall between 15–25 gpg.
That’s “very hard” territory… and it explains a lot of the damage homeowners see.

Option 3: Professional In-Home Water Test (Free)

This is what we do best.

When you schedule a free McCowin Water test, our certified technician comes to your home and runs a real-time hardness analysis; using digital testing, not guesswork.
We test:

• Hardness (calcium & magnesium)
• Chlorine & chloramines
• Iron
• pH balance
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
• Even your home’s water pressure

Then we sit down and explain it… in plain English.
No sales pitch. Just truth.

What Your Results Actually Mean

Numbers alone don’t tell the whole story.
Here’s how to read what your results are really saying about your home:

• 0-3 gpg: Your water’s soft. You’re golden.
• 3–7 gpg: Slightly hard. Watch for buildup over time.
• 7–10 gpg: Moderate hardness. You’ll start seeing soap film and scale.
• 10–15 gpg: Hard water. You’re losing money every month.
• 15+ gpg: Very hard. You’re already seeing the damage.

In other words, anything over 10 grains per gallon is silently eating away at your plumbing and appliances – even if everything looks “fine” on the surface.

Real Orange County Stories

Irvine Family: The Mystery of the Vanishing Water Heater
A couple in Woodbridge called us after replacing their water heater twice in five years.
They thought it was a manufacturer defect.
Their hardness reading? 22 grains per gallon.
After we installed a calibrated softener, their heater efficiency jumped 30%, and they haven’t replaced a single appliance since.

Mission Viejo Homeowner: “My Skin Finally Feels Normal Again.”
A mom with two kids called us because of dry skin and dull hair. She’d spent hundreds on lotions and filters from Amazon.
We tested her water. 18 gpg – full of chloramines and hardness minerals.
After installing a softener + carbon system, her words were:

“I can’t believe this is the same water. My skin doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Hardness doesn’t just destroy machines.
It affects people.

Why DIY Tests Aren’t Enough

A strip can give you a number.
But it won’t tell you why your water is hard – or what else is in it.

You need to know:

• The mineral source (calcium vs. magnesium)
• The presence of iron or chlorine byproducts
• Whether your plumbing or city line is adding contaminants

That’s why every McCowin Water test includes both data and interpretation.
We don’t leave you with numbers.
We give you clarity.

What To Do If You Have Hard Water

If your test shows moderate or hard water, here’s the next step:

1. Get a Full System Evaluation.
   Every home is different. We assess your plumbing, pressure, and space to see what fits.
2. Match the Right System.
   A softener removes hardness minerals.
   A carbon filter removes chlorine and chemicals.
   Together, they protect your pipes and your body.
3. Install It Right.
   Our certified techs don’t subcontract.
   We build systems customized to your home’s PSI and hardness level.
4. Enjoy the Results.
   Softer water. Cleaner dishes. Better showers. Longer appliance life.
   And peace of mind every time you turn on the tap.

Why McCowin Water Is Different

We’ve been doing this since 1972.
We’ve tested over 8,000 homes across Orange County.
And we’ve seen one truth hold steady:
If you don’t test your water, your home will.

Most companies sell. We serve.
We test first.
We teach second.
We install last.

No gimmicks. No upsells. Just honesty.

What You Risk by Waiting

Every month you wait to test your water, the damage compounds.

• Water heater efficiency drops.
• Plumbing corrodes internally.
• Skin irritation worsens.
• Detergent and soap costs go up.

And that invisible residue?
It doesn’t go away on its own.

Testing takes 15 minutes.
Repairing damage takes thousands.

Your Next Step Is Simple

You don’t need to wonder anymore.
You don’t need to guess.

You deserve to know.

Call McCowin Water today.
We’ll come out, test your water, and show you; right then and there; how hard your water really is, what it’s costing you, and how to fix it permanently.

Because knowledge isn’t just power.
It’s protection.

Final Word from Brian

I’ve seen every kind of water there is.
Clear, cloudy, rusty, clean-looking… and all of it telling lies.

If you’ve read this far, you already know something’s off.
Trust that instinct.

Testing your water doesn’t just protect your pipes.
It restores peace of mind.

And when your water’s finally right –
you’ll feel it.
Every shower, every sip, every breath.

Let’s start there.

Call us at (949) 569-5736 or schedule your free water test today.

Because around here?
Clear water means clear conscience.