What Do Water Softeners Do?

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, about 85 percent of American homes have hard water.  Hard water is water that contains excessive minerals or metals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. These minerals dissolve into the water as it flows through the ground.  A water softener (or water conditioner) is an appliance that treats water and reduces the level of minerals and metals in the water.

Hard water is not considered a health hazard, but some people find it to be annoying and it can cause problems with your plumbing.  Some people do not like the taste of hard water find that it leaves them feeling itchy after showering.  Also, hard water leaves mineral deposits behind that may cause noticeable spots on dishes, sinks, showers, or your car.  Over time, hard water can lead to build ups of mineral deposits in shower heads, faucets, water heaters, and plumbing pipes.

These deposits can clog show heads and cause leaky faucets.  Worse, the mineral build up inside your water heater can cause your water heater to work harder which uses more energy and shortens its useful life.  Mineral deposits inside plumbing lines and drains can cause clogs and other problems.

A water softener is a tank that contains little beads called “resin media”.  As your water flows through the resin media, excessive mineral are reduced by exchanging mineral ions with sodium ions.  The result is “soft” water with much lower mineral content but higher sodium content.

Whether or not you need a water softener depends on how hard your water is and your personal preference.  Some people are not bothered by moderately hard water while others prefer softer water. Your plumber can measure the hardness of your water and help you choose and install a water softener that is right for your home.