Water softeners are a type of water treatment system that aren’t needed for every home, but they are beneficial for many! Hard water is an issue that’s pretty common throughout neighborhoods in our area. There’s nothing particularly unhealthy about hard water when it comes to you and your family ingesting it. It can, however, definitely impact your quality of life in subtle but annoying and possibly even expensive ways.
For homes with this problem, a water softener is absolutely worth it, so long as it’s a whole-house water softener, professionally installed by an experienced team such as ours. Read on to learn more about these systems!
First Off, What Is Hard Water?
Groundwater, even if it’s well-treated at a municipal plan, can absorb a certain amount of minerals–mostly magnesium and calcium–as it travels through the pipes from the municipal supply to your home. As we alluded to above, this isn’t necessarily harmful to your health. But, you will probably notice a metallic taste when you drink a glass of tap water or use water while cooking. And this isn’t the only ill-effect of hard water–it has other impacts too.
For example, hard water in your washing machine can make your clothes and other textiles fade and break down faster than they otherwise would. Another example of the impact of hard water is in the shower–hard water makes it harder for shampoo and soap to dissolve, which not only leaves gross limescale in your tub and shower space, but can actually leave a hard-to-remove residue on your skin and hair, and even cause you to breakout more often, especially if you already have sensitive skin.
The most important impact that hard water can have is on your actual plumbing system. Have you discovered a white or greenish/yellow buildup on your faucets or your showerheads? This is that limescale we mentioned above. We talked about how it can basically coat the surface of your shower and tub, and it also coats the inside of your pipes, where it can lead to blockages and eventual corrosion.
Solving the Hard Water Problem
Whole-house water softeners function by removing those minerals we mentioned, leaving your water cleaner, softer, easier to drink, and not harmful to your plumbing system. Hey, even your clothing budget can stretch a bit more since your existing clothes won’t need to be replaced due to fading and breaking down.
Water softeners also eliminate the mineral buildup that happens in your pipes, and cut down on the buildup you see on your plumbing fixtures. This can save you a lot of money on chemical cleaners (which honestly you shouldn’t even use on your plumbing–ironically the caustic chemicals in these solutions are even worse for your plumbing system and can cause blockages and corrosion).
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Falls area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online for water filtration in Cedar Falls, IA.