A water softener is usually necessary for areas where the concentration of these metal cations exceeds seven parts per gallon (ppg). Almost fifty percent of the US falls under this category. For places not supplied by rivers or lakes, most people rely on their local utility companies to perform water treatment by removing the hardness in their water.
Five Ways a Water Softener Can Help You and Your Home
1. Water softeners can reduce the corrosion on pipes and fixtures and significantly reduce the build-up of limescale on dishes, pipes, toilets, plumbing fixtures, and even appliances. In this regard, their lifespan is extended, thereby reducing the chance of them needing early replacement, which is a great cost-saving to your home.
2. Hard water makes it difficult for the detergent to lather. Soft water enables soaps and detergents to work more efficiently and effectively on your clothes and on your skin. This may reduce the dryness of the skin and improve the quality of your clothes.
3. Softened water in general feels much softer on the skin for most people, which means more comfortable and soothing showers and baths. This can do wonders for your mental health while at home.
4. Water that has been softened tends to leave less soap scum, mineral stains, and residue on sinks and fixtures, which makes the cleaning process less onerous for moms and cleaners.
5. Since softened water is such an efficient and effective cleaning agent, your water bill is likely to be reduced. You’ll no longer be wasting money, time nor water by re-washing dishes or clothes, nor even by having longer showers in order to feel properly cleaned.
Water Softener Systems
Household water softener systems work by running hard water through tree and plant resin covered in positively charged sodium ions with a net electric charge. The sodium concentration in the coating replaces the calcium and magnesium contained in the water.
Water softening systems require constant maintenance. Sodium pellets are needed to keep the resin electrically charged. The resin can start to harbor bacteria and fungi if not properly maintained, so regular cleaning and maintenance of the equipment is essential for optimal water safety.
Water safety is of even greater concern with water softening systems due to the additional
sodium content it places in drinking water. For this reason, some drinking water systems use potassium pellets instead of sodium pellets in their softening systems, especially for persons on low-sodium diets. In addition, other waters softening systems use citric acid, magnets, or other ways to reduce the calcium and magnesium content of home water.
How Does a Water Softener Work
A water softener basically converts hard water to soft water. Depending on the type of water softener used, the filtration process may vary. There are 3 main types of water softeners: ion exchange, salt-free, and reverse osmosis.
1. Ion exchange softeners are commonly used in the household to soften water. This type
of water softener removes the calcium and magnesium from the water and replaces
them with sodium or potassium ions, thereby removing the adverse effects of hard water. It also helps water-based appliances last longer. How it works is that salt pellets are used in a large tank to carry out the exchange of these ions in the water.
2. Salt-free softeners use mechanical filters to remove calcium primarily as it passes through the membrane. No chemicals are used, so the minerals in the water are not affected. It isn’t very effective on really hard water which may be very magnesium-dense.
3. Reverse osmosis works by softening the water through a somewhat osmosis process to filter it, hence the name. With pressure, hard water is passed through a semipermeable membrane, which filters up to ninety-eight percent of most impurities.
These softeners can be quite expensive, but they filter large quantities of water at a time and are very effective in removing other impurities, in addition to calcium and magnesium. Whether your water comes from a well or the municipality, using reverse osmosis in Austin is a smart idea.
How to Install Water Softeners
The level of difficulty in installing a water softening system will highly depend on your home, your pipes, and where you plan to install your water softener. We recommend that you hire a professional if you have no experience in doing these kinds of home improvement projects, especially those involving pipes. If you get it wrong, the consequences can be disastrous.
If, however, you have DIY experience in pipe installation or plumbing and feel comfortable with cutting through pipes, you may be able to do the installation and improve the water quality in your home.
Bear in mind that for some regions, installing a whole house water softening system requires you to adhere to building codes and you may need a permit as well. If a permit is required, your work will need to be inspected by the relevant bodies. Contact your city before commencing in order to find out which systems require a permit.
Call Lone Star Water Service Today
We all need clean drinking in our homes and places of business. Bottled water gets pricey over time and the continued use of plastic is not good for our environment. The alternative, to use tap water, is not the healthiest solution, regardless of your water source. Using treated water is the next option to consider. Our prices for water softeners are competitive and affordable.
Many property owners who want a water softener in Austin can figure out which system is best for them. The benefits to owning a water purifier and softener system are vast; preservation of your pipes and appliances and clean, healthy water for your family.
Don’t hesitate to contact us to find out how we can get your water softening system up and running.
