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Hard water, though safe to drink, is the silent killer of household pipes and expensive appliances. It can result in severe, irreparable damage to appliances that otherwise would have a long useful service life. Water softeners, a device to effectively convert hard water into soft water, are therefore a valuable addition to homes and businesses that suffer the problems associated with a hard water supply.
Water softeners are an overlooked addition to homes and businesses that not only will protect pipes and home appliances but save the homeowner up to thousands in premature repair bills. They provide an essential service to many who reside in areas with high levels of water hardness; preventing and treating the build-up of scale and deposits of minerals that could be damaging their water supply.
Water is naturally soft when it falls as rain but contact with the ground can result in a collection and dissolution of hardening particles and minerals which then pass through your water supply. These calcium and magnesium particles create destructive deposits and scales throughout pipes, coffee machines, washers, hot-water boilers, ice makers, and other water-based appliances. In minimal quantities over a short period of time, hard water is an annoyance but not a threat. However, when this hardened water constantly travels through pipes and appliances in a home or business, the effects can be catastrophic (and expensive!)
Hard water can be incredibly damaging to both your body and your home or business. Calcium and magnesium minerals in water result in dry hair and skin, deposits in kettles and on showerheads, damage to laundered clothes, and cloudy water spots on surfaces throughout the home. Hard water can also result in a severe scale build-up, which not only shortens the lifespan of your appliances but can lead to a perpetual cycle of repairs and replacements until the cause of the issue is addressed.Without a water softener, mineral deposits will cause clogs in sinks and drains, a reduction in water flow through pipes, and premature breakdown of machines. With HVAC systems the problems can be even more severe:
• Calcium deposits can block heating components leading to a much-reduced efficiency and a high cost of repair.
• Humidifiers could solidify minerals and spread the airborne particles around your home.
• Mould and bacteria growth is expedited as scale remains in appliances until removed.
How a water softener works
Water softeners are the only solution to the long-term issues of hard water. Water softeners are attached to a home or business' main water supply. These systems expel the hard water particles (calcium and magnesium) from the water before returning the water back to the main supply. Water softeners come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the needs of homes and businesses alike.
Water softeners contain resin beads that allow hard water to percolate throughout the system. Within the system, ion exchange takes place, where the harmful calcium and magnesium minerals are exchanged for harmless sodium, and the now softer water passes back to the main water supply to use as normal. Though the resin beads do need to go through a regeneration process to ensure they continue to function, this process is automated by all modern devices.
Modern water softeners are reliable and all but maintenance-free, helping address hard-water issues with minimal intervention. Other than adding water softener salt to the easily accessible brine tanks, the softeners do all the work and are a worthwhile investment to improve water supply in every home and business.
In areas plagued by hard water, water softeners are not a luxury; they are an essential addition to treat and prevent the build-up of scale and mineral deposits in pipes and appliances.
