At Grabill Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, we have solutions to plumbing problems in your home. From custom showers to water heaters, sump pumps and disposals to water filtration, to “smart” Wi-Fi-enabled products and leak prevention devices, we cover all of your plumbing needs. One of the more popular products we install is water softeners. So what are these products, what do they do, and why might you want one installed in your home?
What Is a Water Softener?
Soft water will make a difference in the water throughout your entire home. No matter where you get your water (from a well or your city’s water supply) it will contain minerals. That’s because groundwater runs through rocks like limestone and it picks up minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium from these sources. Water softeners, sometimes called ion exchange units, are appliances that remove these minerals from the water entering your home.
How Does a Water Softener Work?
Resin inside the appliance traps the dissolved solids and exchanges them for sodium ions. A salt solution is used to recharge the resin after a rinsing process. Because calcium and magnesium are referred to as “hard” minerals, and the appliance removes them, the term “softener” is used. Water softeners are installed at the point of entry of your home’s water supply, so your entire home benefits from soft water. It will remove chlorine tastes and also gets rid of well water problems such as iron stains and sulfur (rotten egg smell). As long as you keep your softener stocked with salt or potassium, it will automatically remove the hardness for the life of your system.
Signs You Need a Water Softener
The minerals in hard water may be affecting your life in ways you never imagined. If you have hard water, you may notice any or all of the following signs:
- Dry Hair and Skin
- Scale Buildup on Your Appliances
- Faded, Scratchy Clothing
- Foul Smelling Water (rotten eggs)
- Bad Tasting Water (Chlorine or sulfur)
- Frequent Appliance Problems/Repairs
- High Utility Bills
Benefits of a Water Softener
Water softeners solve these problems and make your life better. Here are some of the most popular benefits of installing a whole-house water softener:
- Saves Money on Soap Products
- Better Tasting Food and Beverages
- Brighter, Softer Clothes
- Cleaning Products Are More Effective
- Cleaner, Better-Tasting Water
- Reduces Hard Water Scale Buildup on Fixtures
- Longer Life for Water-Using Appliances (Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Ice Makers, Water Heaters, Etc.)
We offer many kinds of water conditioning systems including water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, ionization systems, and UV and saltless water systems. If you’ve noticed water quality problems like the ones mentioned above, your home could benefit from a water softener or other filtration system.
