“Why do I need a water softener”
Hard water that is contaminated with dissolved minerals – like calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, lead and limestone – can have a negative impact on you, your household and your pocket book.
Hard water produces scale.
If there are stains or build up on your sinks and bathtubs…if you have to use large amounts of soap to clean dishes or wash your hair, you probably have hard water. If left untreated, the minerals in hard water will cause spotting on fixtures and be deposited as scale, eventually shorting the life of appliances like washing machines, water heaters, and dishwashers. Scale deposits not only cut down on the efficiency of these appliances, they cost you money and shortening the life on your appliances.
Hard Water
Less than 1.0 gpg………………..Soft
1.0 – 3.5 gpg………………………..Slightly hard
3.5 – 7.0 gpg………………………..Moderately hard
7.0 – 10.5 gpg………………………Hard
More than 10.5 gpg…………….Very hard
Water softeners eliminate the effects of hard water.
They “soften” the water by removing the calcium and magnesium found there, extending the life of your appliances, fixtures and plumbing system. Soft water makes a difference you will feel and see, all over the house.
A few of the many benefits below.
In the House:
Cleaning products work better.
Appliances will last much longer.
Faucets and sinks will look better.
NO SCALE build up.
Water heater will run and last longer.
In the Bathroom:
Shampoo and soap will lather better.
Hair and skin will feel noticeably cleaner, softer and not as dry.
In the Kitchen:
Dishes will clean up more easily and be spot free.
Less soap is needed.
Appliances will last longer.
In the laundry:
Save on laundry detergent.
Cloths will be softer, cleaner, whiter and brighter.
Washer machine will last longer.
How does a water softener work?
• Hard water fills the tank. As it passes through the resin, the hard water ions are attracted to the resin. By the time the water gets to the bottom of the tank, it’s soft.
• Eventually the resin beads become saturated with mineral ions and have to be “re-charged” This process is called regeneration.
• During the regeneration, a strong brine solution is flushed through the resin tank, cleaning the resin beads in a stream of sodium ions which replace the accumulated calcium and magnesium ions (hardness).
•The brine solution, carrying the displaced calcium and magnesium ions, is then flushed down the drain by fresh water. The regenerated resin beads are ready to be used again.
