Do You Need a Water Softener for Your Home?

The Hard Truth About Hard Water

People who rely on the municipal water supply don’t have a choice about the kind of water that flows out of their fixtures, and often, that means having to deal with using hard water at home. While domestic hard water is considered safe for everyday use, the hard truth is that it can be a pain for homeowners. 

This is because hard water contains very high levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which leave a chalky residue that, at best, leaves spots and stains and, at worst, can accumulate in plumbing and appliances, causing them to function inefficiently and wear out faster. This is why water softeners are so beneficial. This post will discuss water softeners, signs of hard water in a home, and the benefits of water softening. 

Water Softener Basics

Water softeners work by neutralizing the effects of the minerals like calcium and magnesium that give water its hardness. This can be done through various methods, giving homeowners more than a few choices when selecting a water softener that is right for their living situation. The most popular type is the salt-based or ion-exchange water softener. This type of water softener contains a resin loaded with sodium ions, which are released as soon as the magnesium and calcium ions bind to the resin, creating an ion exchange that removes the problematic minerals from the water.

For those who don’t like the idea of salt in their water, there is a salt-free softener that uses a template-assisted crystallization (TAC) method instead. Other types of water softeners include reverse osmosis, which uses semi-permeable membranes to filter not just minerals but other contaminants as well; the magnetic softener, which employs a magnetic field to neutralize the water hardness; the dual-tank, which is basically a salt-based softener that uses two tanks to increase the volume of water and minerals it can process; and the shower head softener, which attaches directly to the shower head and uses a filter cartridge to eliminate minerals.

Does Your Home Have Hard Water?

Most people can quickly tell if they need to consider water softener installation at home. Homeowners with hard water can experience discomfort after showering and hand washing when they find their hair and skin dry and itchy. Their dishes may look spotted after cleaning, while bathroom fixtures have hard water stains and scale. 

With hard water in the washing machine, clothes may fade quicker. Additionally, scale can build up in pipes and appliances like the water heater, not only causing energy bills to rise from inefficiency but also causing them to wear out faster and hastening the need for repairs and replacement.

Why It Pays to Have a Whole House Water Softener

There are many benefits of water softening to get rid of hard water. Water softeners not only counteract all the aforementioned negative effects of hard water but also add value by creating savings for homeowners. These savings can be as little as having to use less soap because softened water allows soap to lather easier or as big as extending the life of a home’s pipes and appliances such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and water heaters. 

Delaying the need to repair or replace plumbing fixtures and appliances and improving the efficiency of water-using appliances with a water softener can save homeowners a significant amount of money over time that would have gone to energy bills and covering the cost of replacing these items when they wear out because of hard water residue.

About Marc Francis Plumbing

Marc Francis Plumbing has served Johnson City and the surrounding areas for over eight years. They offer on-time arrival, fast turnarounds, and 24/7 live answers. Call them today for water softener installation services in Johnson City, TN.

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