Hard Water, Scale, and the Advantages of a Water Softener
Hard water is the most common type of freshwater in the world. In fact, 90% of houses are supplied with hard water. However, this is not harmful to the people in the home. It simply means minerals or mineral salts can dissolve in the water. These mineral salts are usually some form of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sulfur, which is sometimes done with bottled water to improve the taste.
The problem with hard water is that it can leave deposits of salts behind in pipes, making it harder to clean dishes, clothing, and even a person’s body. These reasons can be a good motivation to install a water softener system. This article will argue that installing a water softener will benefit almost every water appliance.
The Function of a Water Softener System
A water softener is a device that helps remove dissolved minerals from water and create a better-tasting and cleaner water supply. It is a separate tank attached to the home’s water supply. Inside, salts bind with the minerals in the water, pulling them out and allowing the pure water to filter through.
The ionization is then reversed, and the minerals are flushed away. The tank is filled with mineral water to start the process again. This can be done on a small scale or throughout the home, which is normally recommended if a homeowner is seeing signs that they have very hard water.
Indicators of a Need for Water Softening
Though, for the most part, the mineral salts that water picks up from the surrounding ground are not harmful, they can cause inconveniences that make life more uncomfortable than it has to be. Some of the problems that arise to indicate hard water are listed below:
- Bad tasting water
- Bad smelling water
- Clothes wearing out quickly or smelling badly after being laundered
- Dry hair
- Dry skin
- Lots of soap scum and stains on sinks
- Scale buildup in pipes and hot water tanks
Why Install a Water Softener?
From the above list, it is likely easy for a reader to extrapolate the best reasons to install a whole-house water softener, but they will also be discussed thoroughly in this section.
- Appliances Last Longer: Washing machines and dishwashers tend to last longer without the wear and tear that hard water can cause. The same is true of home water heaters.
- Clothes Last Longer: Clothes will get cleaner and will likely be softer without mineral deposits.
- Less Maintenance of Pipes: Water heaters and pipes won’t need to be flushed annually to remove the hard water scale.
- Healthier Hair and Skin: The minerals from hard water tend to dry out hair and skin, increasing flakiness and itchiness. Skin and hair will retain moisture better when the household uses soft water.
About PlumbCrazy
Offering prompt arrival and fast turnarounds, PlumbCrazy offers high-quality solutions at a fair price. Their expertise ensures individualized attention and top-notch customer service. Call today for water softening services in Abingdon, MD, and the surrounding areas.
