What You Didn't Know About Water Softeners
You worry about many things when it comes to your home. The quality of your water doesn’t have to be one of them. You may think that residue on your dishes and limescale in your bathtub are normal household occurrences, but these could be signs of a bigger problem.
High mineral content in your water, also known as “hard water,” affects everything it touches, including your hair, skin, clothes, food, and appliances. Water softeners help to remove the excess magnesium and calcium that is dissolved in your water, reducing the mineral content, and delivering high quality, softened water.
If you're wondering whether or not you need a water softening system, first understand the early signs of hard water and how not taking care of it now is throwing your money down the drain.
Early Signs That You Need Water Softener Services
Hard water can be easily identified with some simple tests. If you know what to look out for, you can correct this problem fast and cost-effectively. One test you can easily perform to see if you have hard water is to pour tap water into a glass. If the water looks murky or hazy, that can be a sign of hard water.
Water that comes out of the tap should be clear. You can also tell by feeling the water. If the water feels slick like it contains soap, it may be hard. Plumbers can also perform quick on-site tests to tell you exactly how hard your water is.
Water containing high mineral content can leave behind easily identified traces. Some of the signs that your water is hard can include:
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Your Pipes Frequently Clog - Clothes Are Dulling in the Wash
- Your Skin and Hair Are Dry
- Your Soap Doesn’t Lather or Rinse Completely
- Sheets Have a Starchy Feel After Washing
- Unusually High Water Bill
If you currently operate a water softener in your home and have noticed any of these issues, it may be time to have a plumber come look at your system.
What Is Water Softener Salt?
Salt is a normal component of a working water softener. A water softener generally consists of two tanks that are installed into your plumbing where municipal water enters your home. One tank houses resin that removes minerals from your household water as the city water flows across it. Eventually, the resin in the tank gets full of minerals and needs to be flushed. The second tank is full of a briny salt and water mixture.
Water softeners are very reliable. The only maintenance required to operate a water softener is to keep the salt tank topped off with the appropriate amount of softener salt. Water softener salt is readily available at hardware stores and plumbing supply outlets cheaply. If you have a softener that doesn’t appear to be working, try refilling the salt tank first.
The True Cost of Hard Water
Hard water is more than just inconvenient; it can be downright expensive. Hard water can cause your water bill to spike, corrode your appliances, clog pipes, impact water pressure, and dry out skin and hair.Having hard water generally results in costly plumbing fixes, continually replacing and repairing household fixtures, and wasted time and resources.
Spending money to replace fixtures and appliances is like putting a bandaid on the real problem. If you don't treat the hard water, these problems will reoccur, costing you more heartache and money in the long-run.
About Allore’s Plumbing Services LLC
The plumbers at Allore’s Plumbing Services LLC have been trusted with your plumbing needs since 1986. Serving the Stuart, FL area, they take pride in their commitment to customer service and craftsmanship. When your system needs an upgrade like new fixtures or a hot water heater, trust the professionals that treat your home like it's their own.
