Water hardness is considered an ever-present problem for everybody and for this reason, most homes install a water softener system to prevent the buildup of lime-scale on bathroom fixtures and in water using appliances.
Though hard water can not be seen, it is difficult to ignore its signs. Water that contains a lot of minerals -such as magnesium and calcium – will leave a mark on anything in comes in contact with, and will leave a pale white or a bit yellowish again on kitchen and bathroom faucets, shower heads plus other surfaces.
When lime-scale accumulates, it will clog nearly all kitchen/bathroom appliances – whether it is a coffee maker or water heater – and this can result to high costs of repair or replacement jobs. Moreover, lime-scale can stain glasses, tap surfaces and porcelain, to name a few.
Water softeners work by means of a process known as ion exchange, which replaces magnesium and calcium ions that cause water hardness with sodium ions. Water softener systems consist of resin/zeolite beads that carry out the ion exchange process.
Reason Why Water Should be Softened
Though hard water does not cause any health issues, it is a serious concern in terms of the condition of water using appliances. However, appliances are not the only things that can get damaged by hard water, but also the plumbing system as well.
When lime-scale builds up in a plumbing system, it can keep water from flowing smoothly to the taps. Furthermore, it also reduces the effectiveness of bath and laundry soap by making it hard for them to completely dissolve.
Soap particles attach to minerals and form scum, which can ruin the fabric of clothes. Since less soap is dissolved, more needs to be added.
Lime-scale deposits that are left unchecked can cause damage to all water using appliances.
It is certainly easier to prevent the buildup of lime-scale than face its consequences. A water softener can solve the hard water problem at the very source by converting hard water into soft water without scale.
Benefits
Installing a water softener system in a home will enable homeowners to keep hard water at bay, which gives the following benefits:
Increase in soap and detergent effectiveness: hard water prevents bar and laundry soaps from doing their job, so without a water softener system, more soap is used. It can also boost the efficiency of all kinds of soaps.
Appliance life is prolonged: a water softener system is critical to expensive appliances. Lime-scale can cause damage to water-using appliances, which can result to costly repair jobs.
Less energy inefficiency: water using appliances with lime-scale buildup may use up more power, become inefficient, then eventually break down.
Softer and cleaner hair, skin and clothes. Soft water is gentle on hair and skin, as well as safe to use in washing clothes. With increased efficiency of detergents, clothes will become cleaner and brighter.
Shiny, stain-free surfaces: hard water stains glass, chrome and porcelain surfaces, making them hard to clean, but soft water gets rid of such problems, which makes it easier to clean a home.
To make the most out of the advantages offered by a water softener system, it is important to determine the water softener that best meets a person’s needs.