What You Should Know About Water Softeners

You’ve probably heard of “hard water” and “soft water”, but do you ever wonder what these terms really mean? In a nutshell, the hardness of water is determined by the type and amount of minerals water has in it: the more minerals in the water, the harder it is. 

Hard water isn’t necessarily bad, it doesn’t harm your health and can even be beneficial because it is rich in minerals. However, excessive amounts of calcium and magnesium can be damaging to your plumbing pipes and appliances. 

The minerals in hard water can leave spots and residue on your shower heads and faucets, and more importantly, ruin your pipes. Sediment build-up can also clog, ultimately breaking down your pipes and appliances. Washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers and other appliances have a shorter lifespan due to the excess of sediments hard water causes. 

There’s no need to get too worried about the effects of hard water. In fact, 85% of all homes in the U.S. have hard water. The real issue with hard water is when you notice hard water spots, or you can feel or taste the change in your water, which means that your water has an excessive amount of minerals in it.

There’s good news: tackling the issue of hard water is pretty simple. All you need to do is install a water softener to protect your pipes and home appliances, as well as keep your tap water tasting fresh and feeling clean.

What is soft water, and is it necessary?

If hard water is full of minerals, then soft water is water that has less of or no concentration of minerals absorbed in it. Water is generally soft and only becomes hard when it absorbs naturally occurring minerals from the earth. Water can also become soft through artificial treatments via municipal water treatment plants or from at-home water softeners. 

Aside from helping your pipes and appliances last longer, soft water has many benefits. Soft water combats dryness, keeping your hair and skin moisturized during dry and cold months. Soft water also helps your soap work at optimal efficiency and lather better, and it does not cause water spots or staining which keeps your appliances looking sparkling new for much longer. 

While some people opt for a water softener because they prefer the taste and feel of soft water, a water softener is recommended if the mineral content of your water exceeds 7 parts per gallon.

How do I determine the hardness of my water?

You may be wondering how you can test the amount of mineral content in your water, and luckily it’s a simple process. Water hardness information could be available from your local water utility department, or you can call a local plumbing service to test the levels in your water. 

How does an ion-exchange water softener work?

The most common type of water softener is an ion-exchange appliance. Understanding how they work on a basic level can help you maintain your water softener or know when to call in help for repairs. 

Ion-exchange appliances are usually installed near the point where the water supply enters the house because they treat the water used inside for bathing, drinking, cooking and washing. However, they are not necessary for outdoor irrigation. Ion-exchange water softeners have three main components: a mineral tank, a brine tank and a control valve. 

The mineral tank is the component where the water softening actually occurs. The tank is filled with resin beads, and as water flows through the tank, the negatively charged beads attract and hold the positively charged calcium and magnesium particles in the water, trapping them so that the water that flows on is soft. Over time, the resin beads will become saturated with the minerals and need to be flushed and cleaned. 

The brine tank contains water that’s saturated with salt. The salty water is used to backwash the mineral tank, removing the excess of mineral particles that the beads have removed from hard water, ultimately restoring the negative charge back to the beads so that they can continue to remove minerals. These types of water softeners need to be replenished with salt about once a month, and the expert that installs the appliance will tell you specifically when and how to do this.

The control valve in this type of water softener controls when the resin beads need to be regenerated and flushed. These valves function on a timer and will automatically regenerate the charge of the beads when needed. 

While an ion-exchange water softener is the most common type of softener, there are other options available as well. Have a conversation with a trusted plumber to determine the type and size of water softener that will be the right fit for your needs.

Give Us a Call Today!

Water softeners prevent the problems hard water can cause in your home, and they also save you money in the long run by helping to prevent costly repairs or appliance replacements. Whether you need to combat hard water, or you simply want the other health and cosmetic benefits of softer water, a water softener is a great addition to any home.

If you are unsure if you have hard water, schedule an appointment with us online or give us a call! Our expert plumbers can test your water, check your plumbing and help you find and expertly install the right water softener for your home.