Today’s technological advances have paved the way for numerous methods to attain pure, safe, clean, and crystal-clear water for daily use. There are osmosis machines, life sacks, purification devices, fog harvesters, water chips, and so forth.
But for now, we will tackle only one main approach – water softeners and some of the questions you may ask such as:
Is it worth it at all? Will it be costly to install? What is the average lifespan of a water softener?
We will answer all these and more in today’s piece.
Answering The Basics: What Is A Water Softener? What Function Does It Possess?
During any time of the day, you may find small clumps of dirt, debris, and other minerals in your water. These compounds and minerals are responsible for creating what experts and ordinary people call “hard water.”
Hard water can cause a lot of trouble for you and your appliances in your commercial and residential settings. It leaves your hair and skin dry and hard to manage, creates soapy waste in kitchens, bathrooms, and other facilities.
In addition to all of this, hard water can contain other components that might damage your pipes and hoses, making maintenance and repair a nightmare. So how do you solve this? Install a water softener.
A water softener is an appliance that will turn hard water into soft water. The filtration system revolves around the entire structure, guaranteeing safe and clean water for drinking and other purposes.
How Does A Water Softener Work?
It works by making use of a process known as ion exchange. Before it reaches your house, water goes through a lot of steps and it transfers from one place to another.
This aspect might leave the water to contain other unwanted compounds such as calcium and magnesium. The ion exchange eliminates these excess minerals and delivers the now clean water for you to use as you wish.
What Makes Up A Water Softener?
Three main components make up a water softener. These parts are all crucial to the performance of the device. Namely, they are the mineral tank, control valve, and brine tank. You can find out more about these parts by reading below.
The Mineral Tank
The mineral tank is the primary containing structure where the ion process happens. Your water source connects to the water tank and releases water into the chamber.
Water will then pass across a layer of resin beads, eliminating the magnesium, calcium, and other minerals that might be present.
The Control Valve
The control valve is the portion responsible for monitoring the volume of water that passes from the mineral tank and into your residential setting.
The Brine Tank
The last part of the water softener, the brine tank, has a unique purpose: to assist in the regeneration of the water softening system.
It contains a controlled amount of salt that will recharge or reinvigorate the resin beads, allowing them to serve their function for long periods.
Why Use A Water Softener?
Here are the telltale signs that you have to use a water softening system on your property.
- You find stains in the bathtub and sinks
- Dirt and stains in kitchen appliances and utensils
- Discolored fabrics
- Scale-like debris coming from the water
- Dry skin and hair after taking a bath
How Much Does A Water Softener Cost?
Luckily for you, many types of water softeners are available. Some devices cost only less than $600, while the most expensive ones are at least $1600.
If you have a hard time finding which system is the best bet for your home, find out first how much hard water you do have. Also, do note how much water you use daily and check how many occupants are there in the house.
Determining these factors will allow you to narrow down your search for the perfect water softening system.
The Advantages Of Installing A Water Softener
It is as clear as day that we require clean and safe water for everyday use: bathing, cleaning, crop production and gardening, laundry, and so much more. So it is also clear that a water softener can guarantee such water. However, there are some other benefits to having such a device than just having safe and pure water.
No More Hard Water
Hard water can get pretty annoying, regardless of how you look at it. And other elements in the water can cause damage, including corrosion, rust, and clogging. You can say farewell to hard water once you place a softener at home.
A Clean Plumbing System Is A Happy One
A water softener can give your plumbing systems a second shot in terms of function and longevity. It will eliminate all the things that might cause debris build-up, corrosion, and an overall plumbing structure replacement.
Related Article: architecturelist.com/2021/01/01/5-common-plumbing-problems-to-watch-out-for
Fewer Expenses On Energy Bills
Hard water can create build-up in the water plumbing and other appliances in your home. This negative aspect leads to your devices exerting more energy to function efficiently. Such a premise will take a toll on your electricity bills.
But thanks to a water softener, you can take it easy knowing that your pumps, hoses, and other appliances will not harness more energy to function.
Better Water Flow
With no clumps of minerals and debris blocking the pipes and plumbing, water will flow smoothly and without a hassle into your setting.
Look, Better Clothes And Fabrics
No, that is not a joke. A water softener will make your fabrics softer. It will also prevent any discoloration from happening once the washing process takes place. The result is brighter and fresh clothes.
Your Skin And Hair Will Be Softer And Smoother
You got that right. Hard water hurts the hair and skin, making them brittle and hard to manage. But all of this will change in the blink of an eye once you set a water softener at home.
You will immediately feel and see the difference after a bath. Go ahead, and give it a try!
How Long Does A Water Softener Last?
The average lifespan of a water softener ranges from twelve to thirty years. Other key factors that may affect it are the type of product you end up purchasing as well as how you use and take care of it.
While it can work efficiently for years and years, it is still paramount that you inspect it now and then.
Do so to ensure that all parts of the system have no damage or determine if a component requires changing.
Setting It Up
You can take your time and look for the best water softener you and your family might require.
Installing it can be a little tricky, but it is doable. However, if you don’t have the luxury of time to set it up on your own, you can go ahead and hire a company to do it for you.
Do take note that you will have to spend a bit more on the labor and other charges.
Is A Water Softener Worth The Investment?
That is a hands-down and one hundred percent yes from us.
You might think that it costs a lot to install and maintain a water softener, but the truth is that you will benefit from using it in the long run. It is a lot better to replacing plumbing and appliances now and then.
Plus, you get to have clean and safe water for yourself and your loved ones all day, every day.
To Sum Things Up
We all need clean and safe water for our daily lives. And a water softener can guarantee that for you and your loved ones.
It is an investment you will not regret one bit. But you may explore other alternatives if ever you feel that a water softener isn’t getting the job done. A lot is out there, and it is up to you to locate which will meet your requirements and needs.
