Water Softeners
How do They Work?
Water softeners work by passing water through a specialized tank filled with salts. The sodium ions bind to the magnesium and calcium, leaving your water clean, crisp and free of harmful minerals. Over time, you may need to refill the tank with specialized water softener salt that can be purchased at most hardware and home improvement stores.
Why is Hard Water Dangerous?
There are many issues that stem from hard water in your home, but the two biggest factors are scale and washing:
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Scale: This is sediment that occurs when the magnesium and calcium precipitates out of the water. If you have hard water in your home, you will find scale on your plumbing appliances. Over time, scale damages the appliances often resulting in new replacements. Scale is most dangerous when it collects in your water heater as it can corrode the water heater from the inside and require expensive repairs or replacements.
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Washing: With hard water, washing is increasingly difficult. When hard water combines with soap, it creates a grimy film that is extremely difficult to wash off. Because of this, dishes don’t get cleaned properly, your clothes don’t feel fresh and soap fails to lather properly in the shower. Softening your water will remedy this issue and ensure you get the most from your cleaning products.
Signs You Need a Water Softener
If you notice any of these signs in your home, you may benefit from installing a water softener:
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Difficulty lathering soap.
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Scale on your fixtures and appliances.
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Bad smelling and tasting water.
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Yellow stains on clothes coming out of the laundry.
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Stains on your tiles, shower or tub.