What Is a Water Softener?
Water softeners are systems that remove certain minerals from the freshwater that enters a building. Most of these minerals are calcium and magnesium ions. Water is considered hard when it has 120 or more parts per million of these ions.
Though calcium and magnesium are vital for health, they are not good for plumbing. That’s because they can clog pipes, especially hot water pipes, with a crust called limescale. Limescale can not only damage the plumbing but appliances that are dependent on water. These include washing machines and dishwashers. People with hard water also complain that their clothes come out dingy from their washing machines, and their hair and skin don’t feel completely clean after they’ve taken a shower. Hard water also contributes to soap scum, which is hard to clean from fixtures.
When fresh water comes into a home, it is first passed through a tank filled with resin beads in brine. There, the magnesium and calcium ions are swapped for sodium ions. From there, the softened water either goes to the cold water fixtures in the house or enters the water heater tank. The brine tank discharges its water into the sewer drain. Because of this, a plumber recharges the brine tank now and then.
The Role a Water Softener Plays in Plumbing
The water softener lengthens the lifespan of a plumbing system by keeping damaging limescale out of the pipes. Because it prevents limescale in water-dependent appliances, it extends their working life as well. Laundry that comes out of the washing machine is no longer dingy, and people don’t need to use as much detergent to get their clothes clean. Glassware is no longer cloudy, and hair and skin feel cleaner after showers. Some people claim that soft water even tastes better than hard water.
What to Avoid With a Water Softener
Though a water softener system has many pros, there are a few cons. Some people are worried about the amount of salt the brine tank discharges into the environment. There’s also some concern about people who are on a low-sodium diet. The good news is that the water softener can be attached to one or two fixtures in the home instead of the fresh water line that serves the entire house.
When it comes to things to avoid when it comes to a water softener, one is to buy a system that’s the wrong size. The size of the water softener depends on how many people live in the household. A system that’s too big wastes water, cycles too frequently and costs money. A system that’s too small won’t be able to keep up with the needs of the household.
Another thing to avoid with a water softener is using the wrong type of salt. Professionals claim that the best salt to use is evaporated salt because of its purity. Don't let the salt level sink too low, but don't overfill the tank with salt. Neglecting to test the water now and then for its hardness and purity should also be avoided.