What is a Water Softener, and How Does it Work?
A water softener is installed into a plumbing system to combat the effects of hard water. Hard water contains high levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, that can cause issues for a household and its inhabitants. Water softeners generally rely on a resin bed made of small beads. These beads are charged with sodium ions that draw magnesium, calcium, and other chemicals from the water to soften it. This blog will discuss the benefits of installing a water softener.
More Effective Cleaning
The presence of these minerals in hard water makes it more difficult for soap to form a lather and harder for detergents to dissolve. It can also leave behind scale deposits in and on plumbing fixtures and pipes. Hard water is not necessarily harmful but can cause problems when cleaning. Spotted glasses after washing dishes, stains and deposits on bathroom fixtures, and faded clothes after washing are common occurrences due to hard water.
Fortunately, there is a solution: installing a water softener. Water softeners use ion exchange technology to remove the minerals in hard water, which reduces the hardness of water and makes it easier to clean dishes, bathrooms, and clothes. Using soft water for cleaning can reduce the time spent scrubbing scale buildup off fixtures and surfaces. Clothes can also stay brighter and last longer when washed in soft water because detergents dissolve better. Furthermore, dishes will be spot-free without needing to rewash after running them through a dishwasher. Overall, water softeners are an effective solution for those fed up with dealing with the effects of hard water on their cleaning efforts.
Protection for Their Plumbing System
Hard water minerals can also build up over time within the plumbing system, in pipes, fixtures, and water heaters. This scale buildup reduces water flow through pipes as the mineral deposits narrow the opening for the water to move through. This buildup can result in clogged pipes, slower-draining sinks and tubs, and reduced water pressure. In addition, scale buildup can lead to the corrosion of pipes and water heaters. Water softeners are an effective way to help prevent the damage caused by hard water. Installing a water softener can help reduce wear and tear on plumbing systems, fixtures, and water heaters, extending their life expectancy and helping to keep them in good working order for longer.
Hard water can also be problematic for any water heater. It strains the system as minerals stick to the tank’s walls and other components. This build-up makes heat transfer harder, causing the system to work harder and use more energy, impairing the water heater’s energy efficiency. Water softeners remove these minerals, allowing water heaters to operate more efficiently, which can improve the water heater’s lifespan and decrease energy bills.
Better Skin and Hair Health
Hard water can be hard on the skin and hair. It is known to strip away natural oils, leaving people with dry, brittle strands of hair and tight, irritated skin. The minerals in hard water can cause damage to the cuticle layer of hair follicles leading to split ends. Hard water also affects the outermost layer of skin, causing it to become dry and scaly, leading to increased sensitivity and discomfort.
Fortunately, there is a solution. Water softeners help reduce hard water’s harsh effects on hair and skin by removing minerals from the home’s water supply. Softened water helps maintain the natural oils in hair and skin, leaving people with softer, smoother, healthier-looking, and more hydrated skin and hair.
About Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is a family-owned and operated company serving Santa Maria, CA, and the surrounding areas since 1993. They provide same-day service, reasonable rates, and financing options. Call them today for water filtration system installation in Santa Maria, CA.