THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT HARD WATER

With the right knowledge, you can beat hard water while improving water quality, and get clean clear pipes all year long, this is why choosing a water softener is important!

In this blog post we'll be exploring the ins and outs of hard water, discuss potential solutions and answer some common questions about dealing with this pesky problem. So grab a cup of tea and settle down as we go over our water softener buying guide and tell you all about how to best handle hard water once it strikes.

What is hard water and why does it affect your home?

Hard water is water with minerals in it like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can cause scale buildup on fixtures, faucets, and other appliances over time. This can cause problems like scaling and bad laundry quality, among other issues. A water softener will help protect your home from these issues by removing the minerals from the water, and in turn giving your home 'soft water'.

Not only can hard water cause mineral buildup in plumbing fixtures, but it can also affect the taste of drinking water. Hard water imparts unpleasant tastes and odors to drinking water, making it unappealing.

Hard water can be a nuisance, but it doesn't have to ruin your home. By understanding the effects of hard water and investing in a good quality water softener, you can protect your pipes from mineral buildup and save yourself time and money on repairs down the road. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to enjoy clean clear pipes all year long - no matter how hard the water is!

The benefits of using a water softener to combat hard water buildup

Water softeners are an essential tool for anyone with hard water in their home. These systems work by removing the minerals that cause hard water buildup and replacing them with sodium or potassium ions. The process of exchanging these ions is referred to as ion exchange, and it works by using a resin bed filled with tiny beads to trap the minerals and replace them with sodium or potassium. As the water passes through the resin bed, the hard minerals are collected and replaced with softer ions.

A water softener provides a variety of benefits to households with hard water. The most obvious benefit is the prevention of hard water buildup on fixtures, faucets and other appliances. This can cause scale buildup, poor laundry quality, damaging laundry machines, and other issues that can be very difficult (and expensive!) to repair.

A water softener helps to protect appliances, fixtures, and the plumbing in your home from corrosion. Over time, hard water buildup can eat away at the pipes and cause costly damage. By switching to a water softener, you can reduce the risk of pipe corrosion and keep your plumbing fixtures functioning properly for years to come.

How a water softener improves health and hygiene at home?

Soft water can have a significant effect on both your health and hygiene. Because hard water contains mineral deposits, it can leave behind residue on skin and hair after bathing or showering. This residue can cause dry skin, irritation, dandruff, and even scalp issues like psoriasis or eczema. Soft water helps to reduce the mineral buildup on your skin and hair, leaving it feeling softer, smoother, and healthier.

There are many significant health benefits that should not be overlooked. Soft water helps to reduce the amount of soap scum left behind on dishes and other unsightly stains after cleaning. Soap scum can contain harmful bacteria and other microorganisms, so removing it from your kitchen and bathroom surfaces is important for both hygiene and overall health.

Another great benefit of a water softener is it can help with softer clothes. First, the lack of mineral buildup on fabrics helps to reduce wear and tear during cleaning. This means that clothing will stay looking newer for longer, while also reducing fading from regular washing and drying cycles.

Second, hard water can severely reduce the effectiveness of laundry detergents. Softened water allows for more efficient use of detergent, which can help get clothes cleaner while also reducing the amount of soap used. This can lead to significant cost savings over time (and who doesn't want to save money these days?) and helps protect fabrics from damage caused by excessive amounts of soap residue.

What are the different types of water softeners available?

There are a variety of water softening systems available to households with hard water. Each type of system has its own set of benefits, depending on the needs of the homeowner, whether it be salt-based, magnetic, or a salt free water softener.

Salt-based System

Salt-based water softeners are a popular and affordable option for households with hard water. These systems use sodium chloride, or salt, to soften the water by removing the minerals that cause hard water buildup. Although they are an effective way to improve your home’s plumbing system by eliminating mineral buildup, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. They require regular maintenance and can be costly to install and maintain.

Potassium System

Potassium systems are also popular, as they use potassium chloride to soften the water and are a salt free water softener option, which is great for anyone on a low sodium diet. The pros of installing a potassium based water softener are vast. One of the most significant benefits of these salt free systems is that these systems don't require any regular maintenance or frequent filter changes like salt-based systems. This helps to reduce costs and makes them more cost-effective in the long run. Furthermore, potassium systems are also more environmentally friendly since they don’t discharge any pollutants into local water sources.

Dual-Tank Water Softeners

Dual tank water softeners consist of two resin tanks. These styles are typically the most suitable water softeners to use in well water because they are more able to filter heavy minerals. These tanks work as a salt-based softener but the other tanks provide the household with fresh water during the regeneration cycle. Softeners with dual tanks are not required in most homes but may cause difficulty in installing. These also cost more than the others and need charging.

Magnetic System

Magnetic systems are a newer type of system that uses magnets and electricity to soften the water without any added chemicals or salts. Due to there being no salt or chemicals it is safe for drinking water and to water your plants with. But it should be noted that magnetic systems do not remove minerals in your water, instead, they alter the chemicals composition of the water to prevent severe scaling.

How much does it cost to install a water softener?

The cost of installing a water softener system varies depending on the type of system you choose and how large your home is. Generally, salt-based systems are the most affordable option, with installation costs ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 for a standard sized house. Potassium systems will cost slightly more to install, coming in around $3,000 to $5,000. A magnetic water softener system is the most expensive option with installation costs ranging from $4,000 to $6,000.

Potential problems with installing a water softener system?

Installing a water softener system can be a great way to protect your home from hard water buildup, but there are potential problems that could arise.

Hard water mineral deposits can cause scale buildup and corrosion in pipes, leading to costly repairs. And if you choose the wrong type of system for your home, you could end up with salt or potassium buildup in the pipes which can also damage them over time.

Investing in a quality water softener is key when it comes to avoiding these issues, as well as allowing you to save money in the long run.

Research different types of systems available and find one that best suits your needs - this will help ensure that you get the most out of your investment while protecting your plumbing fixtures from mineral accumulation and other potential problems down the road. Additionally, consider having an expert come out regularly to inspect and maintain your water softener system so any issues are caught early on before they become major problems!

If you're still unsure about how to choose a water softener that fits your needs or need help installing one for your home, contact us today for professional advice and installation services. We are here to make sure that dealing with hard water becomes as easy as possible! 

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• Clare Martin

  Posted on tuesday 6 february 2024 08:23

  It's good that you mentioned that with a water softener, we can prevent hard water from building up in our fixtures, faucets, and appliances before it causes damage to our plumbing system at home and eats away at the pipes. I noticed how cloudy our water appeared this morning when I was about to wash the dishes after breakfast, so I need the issue dealt with as soon as possible since I knew it wasn't good to ignore hard water for too long. I'll keep this in mind while I look for a contractor in Kissimmee to hire for the water softener system installation I need at home soon. https://cuttingswaterworks.com

• Thomas Clarence

  Posted on monday 11 december 2023 17:35

  I like how you mentioned that a water softener can make your clothes softer. It seems like it would be a good idea to have softer clothes in the wintertime when the weather is really cold. Your skin can get really dry in the winter, and soft clothes can help you stay comfortable. https://www.olympicsprings.com/water-treatment/

• Clare Martin

  Posted on friday 29 september 2023 09:11

  I'm grateful for your warning when you told us that hard water leaves behind residue on the skin and hair because of the mineral deposits it contains, which can cause dry skin, irritation, dandruff, and scalp issues, which is why it is recommended to have a water softener to reduce the mineral buildup. I was washing the dishes this morning when the water coming out of the faucet in the kitchen at home suddenly turned cloudy and solid white, so I was wondering if this was what they called hard water. I'll have to look for a licensed installer operating in Saint Peters to hire for the installation of my water softener at home soon to bring back healthy and clean water inside the house.

• Henry Killingsworth

  Posted on friday 25 august 2023 16:24

  You made an interesting point when you explained that there are a variety of water softeners available. I would imagine that mineral and metal levels in your local drinking water could affect what kind of system you should get. It seems like it could be a good idea to have your water tested before you purchase a softening system. http://1st-choiceplumbing.net/services/water-filtration-softener-systems/

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