Have you recently noticed some issues when washing your dishes, doing your laundry, or taking a shower?
If so, the water in your home may be too hard, and you may need to invest in a water softener. How do water softeners work? Why is it important to install a water softener in your home?
Check out this guide to learn everything you need to know about water softeners.
What is a Water Softener?
A water softener is a filtration system that removes hardness from water. It does this by removing metals and minerals that cause scale buildup and wreak all sorts of havoc on your household.
When someone says that water is hard, they mean that it contains a high concentration of minerals, specifically magnesium and calcium. Both of these minerals bond easily with other types of metals, and over time, the bonds build up to form an unpleasant residue. In fact, hard water got its name from the hardened mineral deposits it leaves behind.
How Does a Water Softener Work?
So, how does a water softener remove the mineral deposits from water? Water softeners remove hardness from water through a process called ion exchange.
When hard water enters a soft water mineral tank, it flows through a bed of plastic resin beads. These beads have a negative charge, as they’re charged with sodium ions. The magnesium and calcium minerals in hard water have a positive charge.
Since opposites attract, the positive magnesium and calcium minerals latch onto the negative resin beads and remove them from the water. When the beads grab onto the mineral ions, sodium ion gets released, and the bed of resin strips the hardness from the water as it passes through the mineral tank.
Then, softened water can flow into your home.
Why is Water Softening Important?
Installing a water softening system in your home is important to remove the negative effects of hard water. Here are some of the primary benefits of adding a water softening system to your home:
- Protect pipes and appliances from mineral buildup
- Get softer skin and silkier hair
- Use less soap
- Less scum and scale buildup (This also means you have to spend less time trying to remove the buildup from your sinks, showers, and other surfaces. This can help you save money on cleaning products.)
- More efficient washers and dryers
- Fewer stains on your dishes
And, let’s not forget that you’ll also have better tasting water!
How to Choose a Water Softener
If you’ve decided that a water softener is right for your home, the next step is to choose the right one. To find the right water softener for your needs, you first need to look at how much water your family consumes, as this will determine what size water softener you need.
You’ll also want to consider your budget and the installation method. You can always call a plumber to install your water softener for you. You can also check out Rainsoft reviews to find the right water softener.
Time to Soften Up Your Water
Now that you’ve read this post, it’s time to get a water softener for your home. Soon, you’ll notice a difference when drinking water, cleaning with water and washing with water.
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