Are you ready for this? Are you hanging on the edge of your seat? You are? Good, now let’s talk about dust! Wait, you don’t get the reference? Maybe you should be searching the internet for the greatest songs of all time instead of inquiring about water softeners! Alright, let’s get serious.
Dust can be a real pain whether it’s in your home, on your car, and especially in your water. During the springtime, this issue becomes magnified. When the wrong stuff gets in your water supply, the result is hard water. The worst enemy you didn’t even know you had.
What on Earth is Hard Water?
No, we’re not talking about ice here, although I can see how that would be implied. Hard water is a lot more sinister than harmless ice cubes. Hard water is the result of a wide variety of minerals inevitably getting into your water no matter if it comes from a well or a municipal system.
Minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and even dust can get into the water system and cause buildup that results in occurrences such as clogged pipes and even soapy residue on dishes.
Hard water has a high concentration of minerals and although a lot of minerals are safe to drink, they can still cause other issues in your home, such as:
- Clogged pipes.
- Foul smelling/tasting water.
- Soap residue.
- Dark water stains.
- Drying out your skin.
Why do I Need a Water Softener?
A water softener is a unit that actively removes ions (such as magnesium and calcium) and replaces them with sodium ions in order to soften the water supply. With the removal of harsh ions, water is able to flow more efficiently through the pipes without causing issues such as build up and foul smell/taste.
The unit acts a filtration system, storing the harsh minerals and allowing the fresh water to freely flow to your water system. What happens to those trapped minerals? During a process called regeneration, all those harsh minerals that have been previously stored in a second tank will now be utilized in another ion exchange, only reversed.
This keeps the process going to ensure that the unit is always effective and efficient. The owner will pour softener salts in the secondary tank that will soften the harsh minerals. This salt can be solar salt, evaporated salt, or rock salt depending on the model unit.
This new solution, referred to as brine, is where the reversed exchange takes place. During regeneration, the unit also cleanses itself, adding to its efficiency. The unit should be checked at least once a month to ensure everything is operating properly.
How Much Does Water Softening Cost?
Before you start worrying about the cost, know that the benefits of a water softener definitely outweighs any price tag. The peace of mind knowing that your family is receiving water free of harsh minerals is priceless.
However, it is important to know that the price can range anywhere from $400 to $4,000 depending on the contractor and the harshness level of the water supply.
Are you happy knowing that all of your dust-laden water issues can be resolved by installing a water softener? Are you satisfied with the priceless peace of mind that is accompanied by fresh, safe drinking water? Are you still not catching on to the Queen references?
The bottom line is, no one wants dust in their air, on their stuff, and definitely not in their water. Contact your local plumbing experts at First Choice Plumbing Solutions today, to find out how your home can benefit from a water softener!