Hard water often causes damage to kitchen and laundry appliances, and it also causes skin or hair problems. Hard water has high levels of minerals, which cause crusty white buildups and strip oils from the skin and hair. The high levels of minerals occur as they percolate in the soil, mixing with different types of soils and sediments. Hard water tends to cause problems for residential use or industrial use, and that’s why investing in a water softener is important. This blog explains how you can know that you have hard water and the type of water softener to invest in.
Signs that you have hard water
The soap test: Hard water hardly causes soap to lather when washing hands or washing dishes, and the minerals in water often form a sticky film instead of a clean rinse.
Visible buildup stains: Hard water causes a buildup of limescale, which is white and crusty on faucets, shower heads or at the base of the taps. The minerals also cause stains on sink or toilet surfaces due to a reaction. It makes clothes feel stiff and scratchy because of the minerals that get stuck between the fibres of the cloth.
Kitchen and laundry issues: The minerals in hard water tend to strip off the natural oils of hair and the skin, which results in dry skin and brittle hair despite the use of products.
Plumbing and water bills: The minerals can build up, causing a disruption in water flow, leading to reduced water flow, and it causes appliances like washing machines, water heater or dishwasher to work harder, which causes increased use of power, hence increased bills.
Soft-based ion exchange softeners: These systems are ideal for large homes with high hardness levels. They function by passing through a resin bed in order to trap calcium and magnesium and replace them with sodium ions. It regularly requires salt refills and periodic regeneration.
Salt-free water conditioners: Unlike the salt-based ion exchange system, this system focuses on preventing the magnesium and the calcium from sticking and forming scale; as such, the system functions by altering the chemical structure. It is ideal for people who are eco-conscious, and they do not require regular maintenance, as they do not require salt or electricity.
Magnetic or electronic descalers: These systems are ideal for renters or those with minor scale reduction needs. They are wrapped around the main water line and function by using electromagnetic fields to alter the mineral properties. It does not require regular maintenance.
Conclusion
You will be able to select the right water softener system based on how the water hardness level is, based on your finances and if you are a renter. Investing in a water softener significantly makes a great difference in sustaining the quality of appliances and the faucets, sinks, toilets and so on, and it’s an effective way to ensure that your skin and hair are protected from damage. When planning to install water softeners, get in touch with One Dial Plumbing and Heating Ltd experts. We offer trusted and guaranteed services in plumbing installations and maintenance, and we are well-experienced with water softener systems for different types of households.
FAQ’s
Where is the water softener installed?
This depends on the type of system selected, but it is mainly installed at the main incoming waterline, right before the water heater. If installed outside, the system must be protected from freezing temperatures, direct sunlight or heavy rain.
How often am I required to maintain it?
This also depends on the type of system installed, but you would have to refill the brine tank with water softener salt or chloride every 1 or 2 months.