What Do Water Softeners Do?

May 22nd, 2012 Posted in Water Softener
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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.

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Advantages of Water Softeners

May 22nd, 2012 Posted in Water Softener
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The majority of American homes have hard water that contains excessive minerals and metals.  Your plumber can install a water softener or water conditioner that will reduce the level of minerals and metals in the water in your home.

Water softeners offer numerous advantages.  The first thing most people notice is no more water spots on sinks, showers, and dishes.  These water spots are caused by the minerals in hard water.  Also, hard water causes scale to build up inside of pipes, faucets, shower heads, drains and water heaters.  By removing the minerals from the water, a water softener reduces or eliminates the accumulation of scale and prevents problems cause by scale build up.

Water heaters are particularly affected by hard water.  The mineral buildup on the heating elements reduces the efficiency of the water heater and causes it to work harder.  Soft water can extend the life of a water heater and save money on energy costs.  The same is true to a lesser extent for dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances that use water.

Many people do not like the taste of hard water or itchy feeling from the mineral deposits on their skin following a shower.  A water softener solves both of these problems.  In addition, soap is less effective when used with hard water due to the minerals in hard water.  You will use much less soap with soft water to clean dishes, clothes, cars and bathing.  Clothes washed in hard water often feel a little rough due to soap and mineral residue left in the clothing.  Clothes washed in soft water get a little cleaner and feel softer than clothes washed in hard water.

If this sounds good to you, talk to your plumber about choosing a water softener that fits your needs.  Water softeners come in different capacities and styles and your plumber can recommend the right size and type of water softener for you.

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Disadvantages of Water Softeners

May 22nd, 2012 Posted in Water Softener
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Many homeowners install a water softener to reduce the amount of minerals in their household water supply.  Water softeners eliminate problems caused by hard water such as water spots, lime and scale build-up in plumbing fixtures, and other issues.  Soft water is more effective for bathing and for cleaning cars, dishes, and clothing and reduces soap scum build up in showers, sinks, and tubs making them easier to keep clean.

However, there are some disadvantages of water softeners to consider before you purchase one. The first thing to consider is the expense of installing a new water softener.  Water softeners can cost anywhere from $400 to $2,000 plus the cost of the installation.  In addition, a water softener needs salt added on a regular basis.  Some homeowners add the salt themselves while others use a service.

A water softener will also increase your water bills.  In the process of removing the unwanted minerals, a water softener uses up to 25 gallons of water a day which adds up to nearly 10,000 gallons of water per year.

In addition to the cost of buying, installing, and operating a water softener, some people do not like the feel of soft water.  It can have a slimy feeling that feels like all of the soap is not quite rinsed off after bathing or even just washing your hands.  Further, soft water has a high sodium content which can corrode water heaters or cause problems for people on a sodium restricted diet.

Water softeners can resolve hard water issues, but be sure to consider all of the alternatives and disadvantages before you take the plunge and invest in a new water softener.

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Do Water Softeners Harm Septic Systems?

May 22nd, 2012 Posted in Water Softener
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If your home is one of the 85 percent of American homes with hard water, you may be considering installing a water softener.  There are advantages and disadvantages of water softeners to consider, but if your home is on a septic system an additional consideration should be whether the water softener will cause any problems with the septic system.

There have been several studies done with no consensus reached as to whether a water softener or water conditioner can be used without damaging a septic system.  As an initial matter, there are a few areas where local building codes prohibit the use of water softeners with septic systems so check to be sure that you even have the option to install a water softener in your area.

During normal operation, water softeners periodically discharge large volumes of water with high levels of sodium which raises concerns about the possibility of overloading the septic system with too much water and also about the effect of the sodium on the septic tank and septic field.

Water softeners discharge about 50 to 70 gallons of water during a “regeneration cycle” which occurs two to three times a week.  The concern is that too much water flowing into the septic tank will cause the effluent to flow to the drain field before the solid material has had a chance to settle out.  Also, that much water could stir up the effluent and cause too much solid material to flow into the drain field.

By comparison, a typical washing machine uses about 40 to 55 gallons of water per load so the effect of a water softener is similar to doing one and a half loads of laundry three times a week.  A healthy septic system that is not already nearly overloaded should be able to handle this additional volume of water.

The septic tank and drain field depend on millions of naturally occurring bacteria to treat the waste water. Studies on the effect of the additional sodium from a water softener have not found any reason to conclude that the added sodium is harmful to the bacteria in a septic system.

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Water Softeners

March 2nd, 2012 Posted in Water Softener
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Do you live in a “hard water area”? To some, this may seem an unusual term, but it is actually a straightforward concept that relates to the water quality in your area. The ground water in certain areas can pick up large amounts of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and will carry them in a soluble state into water pipes. A hard water area, therefore, is one in which the natural ground water is very rich in minerals.

The mineral content in water is measured in grains per gallon, or GPG, and a hard water reading is anything above 7 GPG. In terms of drinking water, hard water is not a huge problem; in fact, the minerals can be beneficial to a degree. The problem comes when these minerals precipitate out of the water and attach to the inside of pipes or heater elements, forming a crusty layer known as scale.

This scale can cause a number of problems including blocked pipes, impaired heating efficiency and damage to water-using appliances. Hard water can also cause soap not to lather, hampering the washing of clothes and dishes, and hindering the effects of washing for personal hygiene. Because of the problems that hard water can cause many people take the prudent step of fitting a water softener.

Water softeners filter the household’s water by switching ions of magnesium and calcium with less problematic sodium ions. These sodium ions do not precipitate, so they do not collect inside pipes or heating elements and have no effect on the way soap lathers. A water softener is a good way to improve the quality of water coming into your home and to protect both pipes and appliances.  .  Your plumber can help choose a good water softener for your home and take care of the water softener installation. Talk to your plumber about a new water softener for your home

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