Average tap water has minerals and calcium that is good for the body. However, for its other uses, you might want to consider installing a water softener. It can be one of the best investments you can do for your home – and you and your family’s health as well.
What Does a Water Softener Do?
Regular or hard water has calcium, mineral, and sometimes, even metal components in it that can cause different problems. There are ways to determine if you have hard water in your residence. You can have it tested professionally, or you can get the information from your local water department.
There are also DIY water testing kits available at your local hardware stores or home centers. These kits will help evaluate the level of water hardness in your household. There is also a simple test you can do right now at home to tell if you have hard water; you can find it here.
A water softener removes unwanted components from your hard water. A standard water softening process involves the removal of mineral ions – calcium and magnesium – from your hard water. Sodium ions are then added to replace them.
The said minerals from your hard water work against the efficacy of your soap and detergents. These minerals get deposited in your plumbing and other fixtures and into your clothes too. They can also affect the way your skin and hair feel after a shower. With a water softener installed, you are sure not to get these problems that are typically associated with hard water.
These are the Signs You Need a Water Softener
There are tell-tale signs you have hard water running in your household. These signs take quite some time to accumulate and appear, but once there, they are hard to miss. Below are the signs telling you that you need a water softener unit installed right away:
1. Hard water stains on your sink, tub, and faucet.
Do you notice those white, crusty deposits forming a ring on the toilet and tub? What about those scaly stains on the bathroom tiles and around the faucet? Those are the stains from the mineral residue of hard water that has evaporated.
These stains can be really unsightly because they can make your bathroom and kitchen fixtures look untidy. You can remove them easily while the stain is relatively new. To do this, soak and scrub the stains with bleach, vinegar, lemon, or powdered detergent.
2. Scale buildup on almost anything that the water touches.
You see it on your coffee pots, kettles, washing machine, and dishwasher. You notice it on your glassware, dinnerware, pots and pans, and cutleries. You may have even observed how streaky and brittle it can make your glasses. Your clothes are not spared, either; the fabric becomes frail and faded or gray.
The scale deposits, or limescale, are chalky buildups that can eat through the materials and clog the pipes or the plumbing. Eventually, the limescale can ruin your plumbing system and household stuff, and cost you money in repairs or replacement.
3. Itchy skin and dry, brittle hair.
You may notice your hair gets dry, rough, and brittle. Your skin, meanwhile, feels itchy, blotchy, and even flaky. That’s because of the presence of minerals in hard water. Over time, they can cause blocked pores and skin inflammation.
4. Your bill shoots up.
Has your utility bill gone up recently? Hard water might be a culprit. To confirm this, check your plumbing system for signs of limescale accumulation. The presence of limescale can clog the pipes, which necessitates the heating system to push the water through.
Another thing about limescale buildup is that they can overturn the energy efficiency of boilers and water heaters in your home.
5. Your water heater breaks down.
Heating hard water promotes the buildup of scales inside the major components of the water heater, especially the tank. The accumulation of mineral deposits in the water heater can cause it to malfunction and break down.
When Should You Replace the Water Softener?
Your water softener unit must be replaced every few years. Depending on your water hardness level and usage, your unit can typically last 10 to 15 years. If you notice any of the above signs resurfacing after a decade of having your water softening system installed, it might be time to have it checked for servicing or replacement. Getting a new unit might be the best option, though. The latest models have updated features from which you can benefit significantly.
We Specialize in Water Treatment Solutions
When it comes to water treatment solutions, All Elite Water has all the options at the best prices! With more than a decade in the water treatment industry and being the First Water Broker in Arizona, you can be sure of high-quality service and customer satisfaction.
Give us a call at 480-590-1400 or contact us through our website for free consultation. We serve Chandler, Phoenix, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and anywhere within the metro Phoenix area.