Water Softeners
If you are a new homeowner or have recently moved to a new area, the idea of using a water softener may be new for you. Here we will break down what a water softener is, when it’s good to have one, and the benefits you can expect from having softer water.
What is a water softener?
At first, this could sound like an extra device that’s not for you. But you might be wrong to assume that. Water hardness varies depending on where you live, and you could even be dealing with the effects of hard water without even realizing it. “Hardness” in water results from minerals like calcium and magnesium being dissolved in the water and being chemically bound within the water's structure. Water picks up these elements as it travels underground. Unlike a water filter, that can remove particulate matter, a water softener system aims to break chemical bonds and remove minerals from water before it circulates through your home’s plumbing.
How does this process work? It’s called ion exchange. As water flows into a water softener device, it comes into contact with resin beads that have a negative charge due to the softener salt that has been added. This negative charge attracts and draws the positively charged calcium and magnesium out of the water, while simultaneously depositing the sodium ions into the water. The saltwater is also needed to flush out the resin beads from time to time to prevent mineral buildup.
Why have a water softener?
Now we understand what happens inside a water softener, but the question remains: why is this important? Whether you realize it or not, hard water can take a toll on your plumbing, appliances, and even your personal health and wellbeing.
Mineral-rich water may be healthy to drink, but it leaves behind a film that is difficult to clean. On fixtures and within appliances, this film builds up over time to form what’s known as limescale. In-line filters can eventually be blocked, faucets and shower heads can clog, and pipe capacity can be lowered due to constricting lines as limescale deposits grow. Water heaters can see a shorter lifespan and lower efficiency over time.
Skin can be left feeling dry, and the mineral deposits can aggravate eczema and other skin conditions or simply make those with sensitive skin more prone to allergic reactions and rashes. Regardless of how much you shampoo your scalp, it may not feel clean, and hair can feel dry and tangle easily while also appearing limp and oily. Folks with hard water also end up using far more soaps and detergents because the minerals prevent sudsing and make it more laborious to clean. At the same time, clothes end up dingy, dull and rough, even after adequate washing with appropriate detergents.
Who needs a water softener?
Have you related to any of the above mentioned symptoms of hard water? Do you also notice spotting on your freshly washed dishes, scale building up on and around fixtures and faucets, and does it feel impossible to get rid of the soap scum in your shower?
It’s obvious then that you have hard water in your home or office, but a simple water test can tell you for sure. Any home or business owner who has hard water and is looking to mitigate the effects of the dissolved minerals in their water supply needs a water softener system. It will make for easier cleaning, more efficient and longer-lived appliances and plumbing, and fewer skin and hair issues.
Many individuals who have well water are likely to have hard water, but it is possible that city supplied water is also laden with minerals that will build up over time. If groundwater contains calcium and magnesium, these are not things that are removed in the municipal water purification process. They cannot be filtered out since they are bonded to the water itself. So if you are experiencing the telltale signs of having hard water, whether you have well water or city water, installing a water softening system is a good idea.
The only real concern with a water softener system is that it does minimally increase the salinity of water. This isn’t an issue for the vast majority of people, but for those with certain medical conditions or who require very low or no-salt diets, water softening may not be the right fit. Of course, this is purely informational and is not medical advice–your healthcare provider is best suited to answer your questions about whether the salinity from a water softener could be problematic for you personally.
Your Local Water Softening Experts
At Sunrise Springs Water Company, we believe that everyone in our community should have clean, safe, and refreshing water available to them at all times. However even when fresh water is available, the quality of that water may be less than ideal. If hard water is making your life difficult and leading to appliance breakdown and health issues, it could be time to look into a water softener system. When you’re ready to discuss your options and learn more about water softening products, contact our team!