Picking the Right Water Softener for Every Home’s Needs
So hard water is starting to cause problems - spotty glassware, dry and itchy skin, showerheads, and faucets so clogged with calcium they barely work. The solution is simple: install a water softener.
But with so many different types of softener systems out there, ranging widely in price and effectiveness, shopping for one can be daunting. This guide will help homeowners weigh all the options and find the right water softener for their specific needs.
Why Install a Water Softener?
Hard water is so named because it contains higher-than-normal levels of soluble minerals, most notably calcium and magnesium. Wherever hard water goes, it leaves trace amounts of these minerals behind, accumulating over time and eventually forming hard, crusty deposits. This can interfere with the proper functioning of faucets and mechanical valves, damage appliances such as dishwashers, and severely impede the flow of water. Supply pipes can even become so blocked with mineral deposits that an entire repiping is necessary.
By extracting these minerals from the water supply, a water softener can help keep their plumbing system healthy and free of pesky buildup for decades longer. Soft water also leaves no residue on dishes, sinks, or shower tiles, and even improves the efficacy of soaps and detergents.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Salt-Based Systems
Salt-based water softeners employ a dual-tank system to extract minerals from hard water. One tank contains thousands of small resin beads, while the other contains a saltwater brine solution. When incoming hard water passes through the first tank, the minerals attach to the resin beads via a natural electrical process called ion exchange, and soft water flows out the other end.
When the resin beads have reached their limit of trapped minerals (or after the system has processed a set number of gallons), saltwater from the second tank is pumped in to flush away the minerals. The system is now ‘regenerated’ - ready to continue softening the water supply. For this process to work, the saltwater solution in the second tank must be maintained by manually adding salt pellets at regular intervals, typically once or twice per month.
Salt-based systems, while extremely effective, have become somewhat controversial in recent years, due to environmental concerns. The regeneration cycle requires a high water volume, and the saltwater discharge can contribute to increased sodium levels in the water table or wastewater treatment facilities. Some municipalities have even imposed bans or strict limitations on salt-based water softeners.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Salt-Free Systems
Salt-free water softeners have gained popularity, but some are certainly better than others. Some types employ electromagnets to trap minerals such as iron or calcium, but these have not been widely proven as effective. Reverse osmosis systems remove nearly all impurities from water, but are intended more for localized filtration of drinking water, and may not be cost-efficient if used to soften an entire home’s water supply.
Other salt-free systems use ‘scale inhibitors’ to prevent the buildup of mineral deposits. Still, these systems are technically water conditioners, not softeners, as they do not remove minerals from water, only alter them so they can’t accumulate on surfaces.
The most effective water softeners involve some form of ion exchange. Some systems are designed to achieve this using potassium chloride or citric acid in place of salt. These systems may be a bit more costly, but they are worth the investment, especially in regions with strict water conservation guidelines.
Hopefully, this guide has helped clarify the pros and cons of the different types of water softeners. But as any system must be installed by a professional, it’s a good idea to consult with a plumber to ensure they get the perfect water softener for their specific needs.
About Oak Plumbing
Oak Plumbing has been providing outstanding plumbing services in Benicia, California, for years. Their dedication to safety, community, and superior customer care is reflected in their Diamond Certified rating and exceptional customer feedback. They offer transparent pricing, same-day service, and a comprehensive membership rewards program.