Tag: softener

When Does a Home Need a Water Softener?

Understanding Hard Water 

Water is called the universal solvent. What does that mean, exactly? It means that water can dissolve most things it comes into contact with. When water has dissolved a substance, that substance is carried around in the water until it is chemically removed or the water is distilled. This has huge implications for drinking water piped into homes daily. 

In nature, water is distilled as it evaporates into the atmosphere to form clouds. As the vapor condenses and forms rain, it picks up substances it comes into contact with. Once rain hits the ground, it picks up minerals and runs off to a river or lake that may serve as a municipal water supply. 

In many areas, the mineral profile of the soil allows water to pick up copious amounts of calcium and magnesium. These minerals are dissolved in water to a great extent that they can interfere with some aspects of modern plumbing. Here is a quick discussion about dealing with hard water by installing water softeners. 

How Do Water Softeners Work? 

water softenerThe solvent qualities of water are one of the things that can make it so useful. When water is saturated with dissolved minerals, it can have a hard time dissolving things like treatment chemicals or anything intended to be washed off a surface. Removing hardness minerals from water allows water to behave better in useful ways. 

To accomplish this, water softeners pull minerals out of residential water. Water softeners are installed at the service entrance where water lines enter the home. All of the water in the home is flushed across a bed of resin that captures ions. Periodically, the resin bed is flushed with a heavy brine to remove ions and refresh the resin bed. This process is automatic and goes on without any intervention from the owner. 

Signs Hard Water Is Present 

hard waterMost people may be uninterested in water softeners because they believe water is water. Most often, these people don't recognize the signs of hard water or understand how helpful softened water can be. Some of the signs that a water softener can be beneficial for a home are: 

  • Itchy, dry skin and hair
  • Poor-tasting water
  • Soap residue left on hair, skin, and dishes
  • Water spots on dishes and spotted glasses 
  • Dull, faded clothing with residual dirt and odors 
  • Crusty, white buildup on plumbing fixtures and appliances 

How Can Whole-Home Water Softeners Help? 

Water softeners can improve the water quality in a home, promoting health and prolonging the life of plumbing and appliances. When soft water is used to bathe, soap and grime are more easily dissolved and washed away. This results in healthier skin and hair. Additionally, soft water tastes better, promoting hydration. 

Water softeners are one of the best ways to protect plumbing. First, they remove the minerals that can form a scale on piping that can interfere with water pressure and corrode appliances faster, like the water heater. This reduces plumbing repair costs and prevents expensive water heaters' premature failure. 

About A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling

A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling can help every home achieve more healthy and helpful water. Water softener and water treatment options help owners protect their water supply. Call today for comprehensive plumbing service in San Antonio, TX. 

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Top Water Softener Facts You Should Know

What Homeowners Need to Know About Their Water Softener

There’s nothing worse than cleaning your entire bathroom, expecting a shiny, spotless room, only to find that every faucet and handle is covered by a filmy residue that will not come off. What is it? Hard water.

Hard water is the cause of many issues like soap residue stains, soap scum, and even dry skin! If you want to do away with common problems such as these, there’s only one way to do it. Water softener services are an important part of homeownership and knowing when to take advantage of these services is crucial.

In this article, you’ll learn why water softeners are so important and how to know when you need their services. You’ll also learn about how to create soft water and how much a water softener can save you.

Common Water Softener Services

water softener servicesThere are numerous signs that indicate when you need water softener services. These are easily recognizable and you might have already experienced more than one. They are:
  • Cloudy Dishes: If your dishes appear cloudy even after you wash them, but they’re not bright or sparkly like you’re used to, you could be impacted by hard water. Softener services will prevent this.
  • Soap Not Lathering: Hard water prevents soap from lathering so if your soap isn’t lathering up when you wash the dishes, hard water could be at fault.
  • Buildup Around Faucets: Hard water causes residue and mineral buildup around faucets and pipes. If you’re seeing this, hard water is likely to blame.

How Does the Salt Work in Water Softeners?

Water softeners work through something called ion exchange. Calcium and magnesium are the minerals in your water that make it “hard.” When hard water enters into a tank with water softener salt, the magnesium and calcium stay in the tank, and salt is released instead. In this way, all the “hard” water minerals are removed from the water coming into your home and you’ll be left with soft water, instead.

water softener salt

Occasionally the water softener salt will need to be exchanged and replaced. In order to do this, you’ll need to go to a local hardware store such as HomeDepot or Lowes. You’ll be able to purchase large 40-pound bags of salt so you’ll have plenty of salt for your system.

The Cost of Hard Water

hard water costSometimes homeowners simply decide to put up with hard water, assuming it is merely an annoyance and not really a problem. This, however, couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Hard water causes a multitude of problems for homeowners and each one adds up. Pipes become clogged faster thanks to the mineral buildup due to hard water.

Skin can feel dry and itchy since soap isn’t able to fully dissolve. Clothes come out of the washer more stiff and scratchy. Pipes start to show signs of buildup around faucets and pipe outlets.

Your water might taste odd to you. You could even start to have significant plumbing problems due to pipes that have too much mineral buildup. As you can see, hard water is more than an annoyance or nuisance.

Hard water, can be a costly problem that affects nearly every part of your home. However, after the installation of a water softener, every single one of these problems goes away. With soft water, you’ll never have to worry about mineral buildup or stiff, scratchy fresh-washed clothes again.

Trusted, Reliable Plumbing Professionals

A & A Plumbing is proud to serve San Antonio, TX, residents for all their plumbing needs. Having started in 2007, A & A Plumbing already has a wealth of experience to offer their customers. If you want personalized attention, comprehensive service, and a top-rate service provider, call A & A Plumbing today!

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