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Do you often see white spots on your shower’s glass door? Do your clothes feel stiff after washing? You may be troubled by hard water problems that can harm your wallet every day. Let’s take a closer look at how having the right solution can protect your home and save you money!
Hard water has high levels of minerals dissolved in it, primarily calcium and magnesium. Minerals responsible for hardness enter your water supply when groundwater flows through limestone, chalk, and gypsum deposits. While these minerals won’t cause any harm to your health, they will create serious issues for the water system in your home.
The level of hardness determines which types of water run through your pipes. The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm). Soft water has a hardness level of 0-3 gpg, but the water is considered hard when this level exceeds 7. Hard water becomes a major problem for homes when the hardness level is between 10-15 gpg or higher.
The issues caused by hard water extend well beyond those of insufficient soap lathering. The cumulative effects can, over time, result in expensive repairs or replacements. Here’s how:
Over time, calcium carbonate deposits accumulate around the faucets and inside the showerheads. This leads to a reduction in flow rate and lessens water pressure, which in turn forces the plumbing system to work harder.
Home appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines usually get hard water scales. The buildup of calcium and magnesium in an appliance directly affects its efficiency. For example, the scale formed inside the water heater hampers its heating efficiency by requiring more energy to heat the water. This, eventually, increases your utility bills.
Soap scum is one of the most common signs of hard water and is described as the sticky layer that is left behind once soap lathers with water containing excess minerals. This looks bad and reduces the efficacy of soaps and detergents in their function of cleaning clothes, dishes, and even the body.
Scaling resulting from hard water can eventually clog your pipes. This will lead to reduced water pressure and increased likelihood of leaks. That’s when expensive plumbing repairs start stacking up.
Let’s enter the hero mode of this story: the water softener. Through a process of ion exchange, these systems are made to remove calcium and magnesium ions of larger molecular weight from hard water.
Within a water softener, hard water flows into a tank filled with resin beads. The beads are negatively charged and tend to attract the positively charged sediments of calcium and magnesium. With these minerals binding to the beads, sodium or potassium ions are released in exchange. This process converts hard water into soft water.
Once the resin beads are saturated with minerals, the system then removes the bound ions during a process known as regeneration, which allows the beads to be reused to soften more water.
Installing a water softener system needs an initial investment; however, the gains in value that you achieve are undeniable. The benefits you gain are:
Water softeners help maintain pipes, faucets, and appliances by protecting them and keeping them in good condition. By removing hard water’s damaging minerals, you avoid expensive plumbing damage repairs that reduce efficiency.
Reduced plumbing issues, in addition to scale-free appliances such as your water heater, help lower your maintenance costs over time. Not to mention, fewer plumbing problems mean lower maintenance costs over time.
Without soap scum, your skin and hair will feel cleaner, your clothes will look fresher, and your dishes will shine. You also won’t have to spend as much on detergent. So, that’s another reason to go for water softeners.
When scale reduces, your plumbing works better, and water pressure in your home improves. You’ll see this right away in your showers and faucets.
A water softener system installed by professionals is a valuable addition to your house. It significantly boosts the resale value of your home, especially if it is in a place where hard water is common.
Evaluate your family size and water usage to determine which water softener system fits best. Remember that not all softener systems are created equal.
Before finalizing a water softener for your needs, make sure to have your water tested. This act will help you determine the hardness level of water and select the right capacity, as well as the features of your water softening system.
Regular maintenance makes sure that your water softener works at peak efficiency:
Some newer and advanced water treatment systems include smart alert technology and mobile apps that notify users when maintenance is required.
If you are concerned about low water pressure, white scale stains, or frequent plumbing issues, it’s time to act. Installing a water softener can help make your drinking water taste better and keep your clothes cleaner.
At Magnificent Plumbing, we have helped many homeowners get better water and avoid expensive plumbing issues by installing reliable and high-performing water softener systems. Our team of licensed professionals can help check the quality of your water, suggest the best water softener system for you, and make sure it is installed professionally. This is our way to ensure optimal performance by a water softener.
Also read: How to Install a Water Softener in Your Home: A Simple Guide