Hey there! Did you ever pay attention to those nasty white stains appearing on dishes or that funny substance at the base of faucets? If you have, then you probably are using hard water in your home or business establishment. Oh, do not fret; everyone feels that way at some point in their existence. Many people face the same issue, and the good news is that there’s a simple solution: a water softener.

In this article, we will get to know why people must use a water softener at home and how it can help you a lot.

What is Hard Water?

To better understand Waterrific softeners we must first define what makes water hard in the first place. Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of mineral salts, and accurate, magnesium and sodium are the main ones. These minerals are not poisonous to your body but can lead to a lot of issues in your home.

Problems Caused by Hard Water

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Hard water can be a real headache. Here are some of the common issues it can cause:

Scale Buildup: The deposits that are created from hard water and mainly consist of calcium carbonate are referred to as scale. This is very undesirable since it causes the formation of layers or deposits inside the pipes and reduces the flow of water while over time it corrodes the appliances that use the water.

Soap Scum: On the one hand, it makes soap less effective, creating soap scum on dishes, shower walls, not to mention your skin.

Dull Laundry: Water produced by hard water sources leaves clothes stiff and discolored.

Dry Skin and Hair: The minerals that clog the surfaces of hard water can cause it to rob the skin and hair of its natural moisture making it rough.

How Does a Water Softener Work?

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A water softener is a product that is designed to remove those minerals that make water ‘hard’ and can be referred to as ‘softening’ it. The most popular kind of water softener operates according to a mechanism known as ion exchange. Here’s how it works:

Water enters the softener: Soft water gets into the softener tank from the hard water supply.

Ion exchange occurs: The water flows over resin beads where sodium ions coat the shell of the beads. Calcium and magnesium metal displaces sodium ions and releases the ions in the solution.

Softened water flows out: The water that is softened now goes out into the tank through the now softened water and circulates through your house.

Benefits of Using a Water Softener

With that understanding in mind, understand that it is now time to look at getting a water softener installed in your home.

Prolongs the Life of Your Appliances

Items such as your washing machine, dishwasher, and water heater are common victims of the build-up that results from hard water. Water softener will help you prolong the lifespan of such appliances hence reducing the amount you spend on repairs and even replacement.

Better Cleaning Results

Sparkling Dishes: Say goodbye to those white spots or streaks on your glasses and dishes.

Brighter Clothes: Laundry that is being cleaned with this will be cleaner, softer, and has a brighter color.

Cleaner Bathrooms: No problems of soap scum and mineral deposits in your fittings and tiles ever again.

Healthier Skin and Hair

Soft water does not affect human skin and hair in the same way as hard water does. It assists in retaining the skin’s natural balance of moisture and elasticity as well as making hair sleeker.

Reduced Soap and Detergent Usage

Soft water is one in which the mineral content is low, and due to this, soaps and detergents are effective while in hard water. You even discover that to achieve the same results you need to use less on the surfaces hence will be cheaper in the long run.

Easier Maintenance

Just imagine how much your plumbing system will love you if you help it eliminate some of these extra problems. Soft water also has less impact on the formation of clogs and corrosion hence, it means few plumbing troubles and little expenses on them.

Environmental Benefits

It is therefore a fact that if you have to choose between using a water softener for your home, then think again, because it is beneficial to your environment as well. First, it will help to save the amount of chemicals used in the soap and detergents but also help in preventing chemicals from draining into the water systems. Moreover, more efficiency of appliances means that they require less energy, and this avails a victory for the environment.

Choosing the Right Water Softener

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When it comes to picking a water softener, there are a few things to consider:

Size: Therefore, ensure that the system that is chosen is the right one for your house in size. Take into account the number of people in your home and how much water you use daily.

Type: The water softeners are of varying types; these are the salt-based system, the salt-less system, and the dual system. So before making a decision on which type is suitable for you, do a little bit of research.

Features: Consider the programmable options which include the number of regeneration cycles and warranty period offer.

Installation and Maintenance

Installing a water softener typically involves:

Plumbing Work: How to hook up a softener to the incoming water supply line at your home.

Electrical Work: Once again, the availability of the power source required by the system must be guaranteed.

Bypass Valve: This is especially helpful because you don’t have to pass through the softener at times like when you are watering your plants.

Maintenance is relatively simple. Most systems require:

Regularly Adding Salt: In the case of a salt-based system, it is wise to add salt now and then regularly to top it up.

Cleaning the Tank: Rarely to clean gently, in instances where there is some deposit formed.

Professional Checkups: A once-a-year rendezvous with a specialist to make sure everything is in working order.

Water Filtration: Taking It a Step Further

It is worth knowing that a water softener manages hard water problems but for better purified drinking water you may want to use a filter. Reverse osmosis is an example of water filtration and this will mean that you get water free from contamination and impurities.

Benefits of Water Filtration

Better Tasting Water: Water filters eliminate chlorine and other elements that may alter the taste of water and produce undesirable smells.

Healthier Drinking Water: Lowering lead, bacteria, and other toxic and unidentified particles in water.

Convenience: Using filtered water means that you will not have to use bottled water as your filtered water is available in your tap.

To sum it up, water softeners can have a huge impact on your home, they can affect your appliances, your skin, and your hair. It is the best bet that will reap benefits in several ways, and make your home function as it should.

So if you want to discover more information on water softeners or water filtration systems visit Waterrific. These remedies cover a spectrum of possibilities to assist you in giving you the cleanest, best-tasting water.

Thanks for reading! In conclusion, it is my aspiration that this guide educates you about how and why water softening is a valuable asset at home and to your family. Please feel free to leave any comments/questions below – I would like to hear from you.

The post The Importance of Using a Water Softener at Your Home appeared first on The Architecture Designs.

Water softeners are getting more popular as the years go by. Water softening is both praised and criticized. Homes that benefit a lot from using this system have all good things to say about water softening units. But environmentalists and water-dependent businesses (like farmers) protest the negative after-effects of these products.

But what are water softeners for? And do they really do a good job? Does having one really benefit you and your household? Let’s tackle these issues. A recent blog post by WaterFiltersAdvisor discusses water softener benefits for your home and numerous features

What are Salt-Based Water Softeners?

Water softeners work to treat hard water in areas where water quality is not optimum. Water quality would be considered poor when there are hardness minerals like calcium, magnesium, silica, and more.

You may ask, why would some homes have hard water? Because it depends where you live. Water quality differs between communities and homes. You may get water from your municipality. Sometimes you may get it from your private well. But both of these have hardness minerals that groundwater flows right into your home.

Where do the hardness minerals come from? These come from dissolves rocks like limestone. They also come from dissolved metals found in water like iron.

That’s where a water softener comes in. Through its process called ion exchange, a water softener removes those hardness minerals to replace them with sodium ions. The byproduct is soft water you can safely and efficiently use at home. We say “efficiently” because hard water is not efficient for home consumption. It causes a lot of buildup in your pipes and affects your water-drawing appliances.

How do Water Softeners Benefit You?

Some benefits have just been mentioned above but let’s list them all here below.

Water softeners clear your pipes from scale buildup enabling water to freely flow into your house pipe system.

Softeners protect and extend the life of your water pipes.

Water softeners extend the life of your water-drawing appliances like washing machines, dryers, coffee makers, kettles, and more.

Softeners remove dissolved metals giving you safer water to drink and use for food preparations.

Water softeners improve the taste of your water.

Softening units will have you using less shampoo and soap to shower and to clean clothes and dishes. Therefore, it will save you money in the process.

What are the Drawbacks to Having Water Softeners in Your Home?

There are some negative aspects of having a water softener. Here are some:

The unit and maintenance costs can be costly. It depends on what unit you’ll be getting but costs can range from expensive to a whole lot expensive.

There is a salt brine discharge that can affect the environment.

Water softeners will not disinfect your tap water. If you’re after highly improving the quality and safety of your drinking water, you will need a dedicated water purification system in addition to a water softener.

Water softeners can increase sodium intake. Since it is salt based, it may increase your consumption of sodium when it is used for cooking and drinking. This may not be good for people who must follow a low-sodium diet.

What do Critics say About Water Softeners?

Not everyone is charmed by the benefits of water softeners. Did you know that the state of California has authorized the local agencies to impose a ban on water softeners if officials deem that the move will protect water quality in their county or community? Santa Clarita was the first among state municipalities to ban water softeners back in 2008.

Why? You may ask. What issues do critics have against water softeners? Here are some of those reasons.

A traditional water softener is salt based. And it is not eco-friendly. As the softener unit treats hard water through ion exchange, salt brine water is accumulated. Probably hundreds of gallons are discharged down the drain weekly. And these find their way back into waterways, even groundwater basins, and wastewaters.

Salt-based water softeners which produce chloride in water are a contaminate because they affect water supplies.

Some farmers protest against water softeners because the sodium discharge tends to damage their crops.

What are Alternatives to Salt-Based Water Softeners?

If you’re one of those who want the benefits of salt-based water softeners but through a more environmentally friendly way, here are some alternatives:

Choose water-conserving water softeners. States like Texas allow these types. Because these regenerate upon demand. They are more efficient. They don’t automate on a schedule. So there is water conservation with these types of water softener units.

Choose a portable ion-exchange service. With this type, you request a fresh tank of ion exchange resin to your location. The service hooks it up to soften the water in your home. Then when the tank is already spent, (meaning, it can no longer soften your hard water) you call and request a replacement tank. The company then comes to retrieve the old tank and regenerate it at a special facility under controlled conditions.

Choose water conditioners instead. Water conditioners work the same way as water softeners do but without the salt. There’s no salt brine discharge whatsoever. Using one in your home won’t cause you to add chloride to the environment.

Do you Need a Water Softener in Your Home?

Consider adding one to your home, just check out the designs of your home first. This will better help you place the unit and get you ready for an installation.

It should be clear by now that water softeners are for areas with hard water. And you’ll know if you have hard water at home when you see signs like:

stains on pipes, countertops, and other surfaces

hard or stained clothes after a wash

hard hair after a shower

low water pressure

Bottomline- is Life Better With Water Softeners?

We’ve seen that water softeners definitely have beneficial effects. There are advantages to having one in your home. But there are disadvantages as well. And you’ll find groups who are against the salt-based water softeners. 

Knowing that there are alternatives gives you options. So, evaluate your need for one. And if the benefits outweigh the cost and the negatives, then choose the best means of softening water in your home. Whether it is traditional water softening, efficient ion-exchange softeners that regenerate on demand, or water conditioners that are salt-free; you decide.

The post The Water Softener Salt Debate | Does It Really Benefit You? appeared first on The Architecture Designs.