Water becomes hard when it carries minerals like calcium and magnesium. Hard water causes skin dryness, itchiness, and other issues. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Hard water is not fit for human consumption.
Water softeners remove minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron from water. Water softeners comprise two parts: Resin tank and brine tank. Brine flows from the brine tank to the resin tank.
Water softeners use an ion exchange process to replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions in water. Do not worry. Water softeners do not add too much sodium to your water.
Water hardness can be bad for your household appliances and plumbing. It is responsible for scum rings inside your bathtubs and scale formation on shower heads.
You should conduct a local water quality analysis to know the hardness of the water in your area or region. You should install a water softener if you have water hardness issues in your area.
Symptoms of Hard Water
If you have mineral buildup on fixtures and appliances, you may have a hard water issue. Hard water can cause scaling on shower heads and scum build-up inside bathtubs. It can clog water pipes.
Hard water reduces the effectiveness of soaps and detergents. It can form stinks on utensils and clothing. Hard water can cause skin dryness and leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
The Benefits of a Water Softener
A water softener can improve the overall quality of household water. It lowers the level of calcium and magnesium in your water. In other words, water softeners soften your water.
Water softeners can help protect your skin and hair health. Soft water does not harm your skin and hair health.
Soft water does not leave mineral spots on utensils. Mineral buildup in pipes and appliances lowers the efficiency and lifespan of your pipes and appliances. Water softeners produce soft water that does not cause mineral buildup in your pipes and appliances.
Soft water tastes better than hard water. Hard water leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Water softeners help save energy in water-based appliances, such as water heaters, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
Factors to Consider When Deciding Whether to Install a Water Softener
You should consider the cost of purchasing and installing a water softener. A water softener can cost $1500. The installation cost can increase with respect to the type of water softener.
You can also install other water filtration systems. Reverse osmosis (RO) systems can also help soften water. You should compare the installation and maintenance costs of any water filter before getting it for your household.
Make sure that your water softener meets the needs and concerns of your household. You can get a high-capacity water softener for your household. Water filters, such as reverse osmosis (RO) systems, do not have a high capacity, but you can install a whole-house reverse osmosis system.
Conclusion | Do I Need a Water Softener?
Water softeners can solve the hard water problem for your household and office. They can save energy consumed by water-based appliances, such as refrigerators, water heaters, and dishwashers. Standard water softeners can be easily installed.
You can contact water professionals to install a water softener. The installation cost can vary according to the type of water softener. You should consider the installation and ongoing costs before installing a water softener for your household.