What Exactly Is Hard Water?
The term “hard water” refers to water containing a high level of dissolved minerals, calcium carbonate and magnesium in particular. Hard water is especially common wherever the municipal water supply is derived from groundwater since groundwater has passed through earth and rock, dissolving minerals and carrying them with it.
Hard water isn’t harmful to drink. However, hard water can cause various other issues in the home, so many people take steps to combat water hardness. That’s where water softeners come in.
How a Water Softener Works
As the name suggests, a water softener reduces the hardness of water, removing the dissolved minerals that make water “hard.” It passes the water through a cylindrical tank filled with small resin beads. These resin beads hold negatively charged sodium ions, attracting positively charged calcium and magnesium ions. The resin beads release sodium ions into the water and capture the mineral ions, effectively removing them from the water. This process is known as ion exchange.
As more water enters the home and the ion exchange process repeats, the resin beads will become so laden with mineral ions that they can no longer capture more. The water softener will automatically initiate a “regeneration” cycle when this happens. The mineral tank (which holds the resin beads) is flushed with salt water from a separate tank, removing the mineral ions and replenishing the sodium ions. Then the whole cycle repeats.
Signs a Home Has Hard Water
So how do homeowners know if they have hard water? There are several indicators, most of which are pretty hard to miss once one knows what to look for. Hard water can make skin feel “slimy” after washing with soap since calcium reacts to soap and creates soap scum, which can be hard to wash away. This, in turn, can leave skin feeling dry and itchy, and hair might seem dry or flat. It can also degrade clothing, leaving it feeling scratchy or threadbare.
Hard water can also leave cloudy water spots on dishes or leave a slight film on glassware. This is essentially mineral scale collecting on the surfaces of the dishes. This same scale buildup will occur on virtually every surface hard water touches, so it can often be seen on bathroom or kitchen fixtures (showerheads and faucets in particular). But it will also collect inside the pipes and fixtures, which can impact water pressure, damage appliances like water heaters and washing machines, and even raise utility bills due to decreased efficiency.
Benefits of Installing a Whole Home Water Softener
As described above, hard water can not only make for unsightly deposits on dishes and fixtures, but it can also make things uncomfortable and damage the home’s plumbing system and appliances. If homeowners have noticed any of the above signs, they could benefit from installing a water softener.
Homeowners can enjoy healthier skin and hair, cleaner dishware, and more aesthetically pleasing kitchen and bathroom fixtures with soft water. Showers, tubs, and sinks will also be easier to clean since there won’t be all that soap scum and mineral scale clinging to surfaces. Clothes will last longer and look more vibrant, appliances will work more efficiently and require less maintenance, and the plumbing system will function more smoothly. For these reasons, a whole home water softener is a fantastic investment for anyone dealing with hard water!
About John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning
John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning is a family-owned and operated company serving its neighbors in Lincoln, NE, and the surrounding areas since 1996. They provide flat-rate pricing, on-time arrival, and honest recommendations. Call them today for water softener services in Lincoln, NE.
