Do you have hard water in your home? Maybe you are not even sure. Angie Hicks, founder of the website Angie’s List, suggests you get your water tested. If your water is hard you need to get a water softener to avoid damage to your pipes, your dishwasher and your water heater, among other things. The best solution, says Angie, is to buy a water softener that uses salt to take away the minerals causing hardness.