After washing your dishes in the dishwasher do they have spots visible on your dishes? Do your clothes feel stiffer or scratchy after washing them? If you answered yes to either or both of these questions then you might have hard water. Hard water is water that is rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals are natural but can create deposits in your plumbing, water heater, and other appliances.
Water softeners soften the water by removing the minerals and replacing them with softer minerals. When it comes to the question of water softeners, treatment options come with their own pros and cons. The decision on how to filter, purify, or otherwise treat water is largely personal. Make sure to stay informed and weigh your options.
The advantages of having a water softener are that the minerals in hard water will disappear and can extend the life of your appliances. It reduces the scale deposits in your pipes. You will feel that your skin and hair will become softer as well. Even cleaning around the bath comes easier. Hard water can lead to unpleasant tastes and odors in the water, which would diminish with a water softener installed. The amount of money you save is likely to outweigh the costs of purchase for your water softener in the long term. A high-efficiency water softener is 46% more efficient than other softeners.
Make sure to factor in post-purchase cost. Water softeners are commonly salt-based. You will need to buy salt for these units. Water softeners require regular maintenance. Depending on the model of the water softener, some may wastewater during regeneration. The location of your water softener will depend on where your main water inlet is positioned.
If you suspect that you have hard water in your household, call Express Plumbing Heating & Air and we can provide you with a free bid on installing a water softening system!
