When you have hard water it means that your water has a high amount of magnesium and calcium in it. These minerals come from groundwater absorbing them from nearby rocks and dirt. This type of water can cause many issues. When you shower or bathe with hard water your skin and hair can become very dry. Some people experience a slimy type of residue on their skin when they wash in hard water and it makes for an overall unpleasant experience. When you are using hard water every day it can become a bother in a short amount of time. Water doesn’t suds up quite as well in hard water and the all too common hard water stains appear on your faucets and showerheads.
Additionally, hard water can cause plumbing problems over time. As these mineral deposits build up within your pipes they can cause blockages or water temperature issues. When your hot water tank develops deposits, you may notice a change in how hot your water gets. A lower water temperature can mean the heating element isn’t working properly because of buildup. Pipes can also experience a buildup and can cause a decreased amount of water flow and if untreated, complete blockage. The last thing you want to deal with is a pipe bursting, because this can turn into an expensive repair project. Coffee makers, tea pots, dishes and more can also be affected by these hard water issues.
Luckily, a water softener can help and make a big difference with all of these issues. Utilizing the technology of a water softener can improve the quality of water within your home.
Solving Your Hard Water Problems
You may be asking: How do water softeners work exactly? The goal when using a water softener is to improve the overall quality of the water by removing magnesium, calcium and other minerals. A water softener is filled with resin particles that are covered with sodium or potassium ions. When your water transfers through the softener, the resin particles swap the hard water ions with the sodium or potassium ions to create softer water for your home.
Once the resin particles become flooded with too many hard water ions the system needs to be regenerated. This process requires a flush of the system with sodium or potassium ions to take the place of the hard water ions. For traditional softeners you will have to set a timer on the unit to flush itself, allowing the resin particles to be re-charged. Other water softeners, like the ones we provide at Schultz Soft Water, do not require a timer to be set because they regenerate on demand.
Water softeners require a refill of salt or potassium pellets periodically, and, except for an occasional inspection of the lines to make sure there aren’t any mineral deposits backing up, a water softener is an easy-to-manage investment. You can typically inspect your unit yourself or you can choose to have a professional come out yearly for a quick inspection.
Water softeners solve the issues hard water inflicts on your body and in your plumbing. And, although the water filtered through a water softener is safe and healthy to drink, you may wish to add a reverse osmosis drinking water system to remove the sodium from your tap water. Start the transformation of your in-home water supply by consulting with a professional today.