Hard water can be super problematic – it clogs up pipes, leaves behind a nasty residue on dishes and it wreaks havoc on skin. These are just some of the downsides of hard water. So, we’ll explore why you need to invest in a water softener to keep your home safe from these problems!
What Is A Water Softener?
A water softener takes the place of normal, hard tap water. It’s an appliance that’s connected directly to your main water supply and it uses many different methods to soften the water before it enters your home. Some easy ways are through minerals or chemicals – but there are more complicated ones too! The cost of a water softener system varies from $1,500 to $8,000 depending on the model and installation costs. A water softener system essentially removes the calcium and magnesium ions from hard water supplies.
Okay, But What Are The Problems With Hard Water?
- Clogs – it can clog up your pipes or water appliances (fridges, dishwashers, etc) e.g. if you put a blender that has not had any running water on it through your dishwasher, you could potentially damage a water softener because of the minerals in the hard water.
- Residue – it can leave behind a nasty residue on your dishes, so they require more effort to be cleaned afterward and may have cloudy spots or appear spotted after being dried.
- Skin irritation – people who have sensitive skin should invest in a water softener. If you already have a bad reaction to hard water, then soften the water and see if it makes a difference – chances are, it will! When hard water leaves behind a residue or builds up on your skin, this can irritate you.
What Can I Do To Fix These Problems?
Invest in a water softener! There are many different types of water softeners out there that all work slightly differently. The simplest type is a salt-based system that uses salts to remove hard minerals. Another system is an ion exchange system, where the beads inside the unit soak up any ions (both good and bad) to maintain balance in your home’s water supply. Other systems might use reverse osmosis to clean up water – or a magnet system that draws out the minerals.
There are other benefits too! A water softener can help with dry, itchy skin and static electricity. It also helps appliances run more smoothly and your clothes come out cleaner. With a water softener, you’ll want to use less detergent and fabric softener, too. If you’re worried about the cost of a water softener, think about how it can save money in the long-term: you won’t need to buy as much shampoo or detergent, plus your appliances will work better – which means they’ll last longer!
What You’ll Need Before Setting It Up
Before you jump into buying a water softener, there are some things you’ll need to do first. If your home has lead pipes, replace them with PVC ones because this could be dangerous for the health of your family. It’s also important to make sure that all of your plumbing is working properly – if it isn’t, call in the professionals to fix it!
Do I Need Professional Assistance?
Not at all! A water softener is very easy to install and maintain. Spend some time reading the manual so you know how to take care of your system properly. When it comes to maintenance, there’s not much for you to do! You just need to check that the tank containing the salt or whatever else your particular system uses is full and clean the filter as per your manual’s instructions. If you have a salt-based system, simply replace the salt every so often – but read the manual first!
Some Things To Consider With A Water Softener
If there’s a lot of iron in your water supply, it may be best to have two water softeners on hand: one for the iron and one for everything else. Remember too that if you have a well, it may be best to get a separate water softener as opposed to trying to mix two different types of water supply, as this could end up affecting your home’s pH level.
Do your research thoroughly before purchasing a water softener system. It’s an easy way to keep your home safe, clean, and healthy for you and your family. Hard water leaves behind a residue on dishes and it can irritate skin – but softened water will leave you with nothing but sparkling glasses and soft skin. It may also help you save money in the long term and it can put less strain on your appliances.
