Hard water can cause plumbing problems, make it difficult to keep your home clean, and it can negatively impact the quality of your skin and hair. It’s a naturally developing issue, found in freshwater supplies that have high concentrations of calcium and magnesium. Fortunately, if you have hard water, there are benefits of water softener systems.
There are a few tell-tale signs that you have hard water. A white, chalky residue will develop on your fixtures and soap scum will become more prevalent in the sink, shower walls, glassware, and so on. This happens because the hard water actually keeps soap suds from fully developing, leaving behind a scale buildup.
Those minerals can also be left behind before they reach your fixtures. A build-up of minerals will affect the water flow in your pipes, affecting water pressure. If you have hard water, we’re sure you’ve seen the buildup on your shower head, that white crusty gunk that prevents you from getting the full force of water for your morning shower.
Benefits of Water Softener Systems
WHAT IS HARD WATER, AND HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE IT?
Water quality varies from place to place. For example, there is a difference in quality when water from a well is compared with water from a municipality. Minerals can enter the supply when groundwater dissolves things like limestone or iron, and remnants make their way into your home’s water supply.
Without getting too technical, rainwater is relatively “pure” when it falls from the sky. As it seeps from the surface into the ground below (aquifers), it picks up minerals on its way to the water table. The more minerals it picks up, the harder the water becomes.
Although it may taste a little funny, these minerals don’t make the drinking water dangerous. But when those minerals are left behind, they can greatly affect how hot water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines operate. If the hard water buildup on your shower head can affect water flow, imagine what it’s doing to the inner workings of your appliances.
Whether it’s clogging shower heads and the jets in your dishwasher, attaching itself to the heating element of the water heater, or decreasing the effectiveness of laundry detergent, hard water can be quite a nuisance. Not to mention the awful spots and streaks on your glass shower doors and dishes.
Do You Need a Water Softening System?
There are a few ways to test your water to see how “hard” it is. One of the simplest ways to do this is to add a little bit of dish soap to water in a container and shake well. If there are no suds or very few suds, there’s a pretty good chance you have hard water.
You can also talk to your water provider (usually your city or county government) and ask for any recent tests on the quality of your water. There are labs you can bring your water to and testing strips are available at most home improvement stores. Once you know the hardness level of your water you can make a decision about a water softening system.
A water softening system actually saves money in the long run. By keeping your appliances clean, they will last longer and you’ll cut down on service or maintenance calls. Because they don’t have to work as hard, they’ll also be more efficient. And you won’t have to worry about addressing clogged pipes coming into the home, either.
Will the Benefits of Water Softener Systems Help You?
Water softeners work by removing the hard minerals in the water. They do this through the science of ion exchange and can remove things like magnesium, iron, manganese, and calcium, replacing them with sodium ions.
With a water softener tank, the hard water will pass through it and the minerals are removed and pulled from it with a magnetic type of force. The minerals will stay inside the water softener tank and the softened water will make its way through your home.
Long story short: Water softeners allow you to say goodbye to scaly buildup! They can help turn your hard water into soft water. If you have concerns about your water quality and think you could benefit from a water softener, contact our experienced team at Meticulous Plumbing today!
Wondering about how to install a water softener? Worried about water testing or water treatments? How about the amount of sodium or potassium chloride in the water supply? Curious about resin beds, brine tanks, reverse osmosis, or something else? Get in touch with Meticulous!
Your LOCAL Professional Plumbers
We’re also happy to discuss any other plumbing questions you might have. In addition to installing water softener systems, we offer whole-home repipes, help with bathroom and kitchen remodels, and even switch out toilets and fixtures. If it has to do with plumbing, we can help!
Locally owned and operated, Meticulous Plumbing crews have decades of experience with service calls, repairs, and maintenance. We offer a plumbing inspection with every visit in an effort to head off any small issues before they become big problems. Have issues with your plumbing? Give Meticulous Plumbing a call.
