While public water utilities will frequently remind you that hard water does not pose a health hazard, it does create inconveniences for personal and home cleaning. You will need more soap to create enough suds for cleaning, and your clothes may wear out faster when washed in hard water. Much of the United States suffers from this problem due to the mineral concentration in water sources. However, just because your local water supply is hard does not mean that you have to live with it. Find out what makes your home’s water hard and how water softening systems work to counter the effects of the problem.
Understanding Hard Water Chemistry Without Needing a Science Degree
Water’s hardness depends on the concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Chemists classify this type of water as “temporary hard water.” This name comes from the ability of the water to give up these minerals when heated, which is the root of the problems of hard water in the home.
When heating hard water, as in a boiler or water heater, the minerals precipitate out of the water and deposit themselves at the bottom of the water heater, on electric heating coils in the heater, and along hot water pipes. Over time, these deposits can slow the rate of water flow and can shorten water heater lifespans.
How Water Softeners Work
The minerals in hard water can cause damage to your plumbing system, you need to treat water as it enters your home and before it goes to your plumbing fixtures. A whole-home water softener uses an ion exchange system to reduce the scale deposits in your pipes.
First, water comes into the water softener from the main supply line. Inside the softener is an agent, usually polymer beads bonded with anion groups) that holds sodium ions. The calcium and magnesium in the water have a greater attraction to the agent than the sodium ions. Therefore, the sodium switches places with the calcium and magnesium. The hard water minerals remain trapped in the water softener. Then the sodium replaces them in the now-softened water that flows to the rest of your home.
While most standard water softeners use sodium, those on medically ordered sodium-restricted diets need to talk with us about alternatives that reduce scale without using sodium.
Why You Should Consider a Home Water Softening System
Installing a home water softening system reduces scale build-up and the subsequent damage to your pipes and water heater. Plus, with soft water, your clothes will last longer, and you will need much less soap and detergent for cleaning.
Correct Hard Water with a Call to Best Home Water Treatment Systems
Get started on softening the water for your whole home. Contact us at Best Home Water Treatment Systems at 951.737.1500. We have different options to prevent the ill-effects of hard water in your home. Talk to us today about the best choice for your water use needs.
