A water softener has two distinct functions- softening water, and removing minerals. The water softening function removes the hardness of the water that can cause problems in your household plumbing, fixtures and appliances. A water softener removes calcium and magnesium that will leave water spots on glassware, cause rust in fixtures and faucets, and interfere with dishwashers and washing machines. The mineral removal function of water softeners removes the minerals like iron, manganese, and other impurities. If you are looking for best water softeners you can check out here.
Contents
1: What causes hard water?
Hard water is water that has a high mineral content. It is very common. Hard water is found in most areas of the United States and Canada and affects nearly 75 percent of all homeowners. Hard water is caused by repeated cycles of freezing and thawing over a period of years. This causes the water to seep into the tiny cracks and pores of the rocks and sediment at the bottom of lakes and streams. As the water slowly seeps through the rocks and sediment, it dissolves the minerals and becomes hard water. These minerals include calcium, magnesium and iron.
2: How do water softeners work?
Water softeners help you do away with the need to buy soft water, but they actually use a process called ion exchange to do so. Water softeners are able to remove almost 90 percent of the minerals that cause water hardness, so you’ve got to be wondering how this is possible. Water softeners use ion exchange to remove the calcium and magnesium that cause water hardness, and this is done by replacing them with sodium.
3: Types of water softeners.
The most common form of water softeners are salt-based. Salt-based softeners replace the calcium and magnesium ions in hard water with sodium ions. The sodium ions are not considered harmful to the human body, but they are not as effective as calcium and magnesium in removing soap scum, limescale, and mineral deposits. Therefore, salt-based softeners must be regenerated (recharged) with salt every few months. These water softeners are great for people who want to reduce the amount of salt used in their diet.
4: How to choose the right water softener.
When you talk about water softeners, you’re talking about removing the minerals that cause the hardness of the water. While it may seem like a simple, straightforward process, there are a few things that you should consider when choosing the right water softener. One of the most important factors to consider is size, since you are dealing with gallons of water. If you have a large amount of water, you should consider a larger unit to handle the workload. The other factor is location, since you will want to make sure the unit is easily accessible to the plumbing.
5: Do I need a water softener?
Water softeners are one of the most popular home water treatment devices. Water hardness is a common water quality issue that can affect both indoor and outdoor water features. Water hardness is caused by the mineral content in the water. Water hardness problems are caused by minerals being dissolved in the water. The minerals are usually calcium and magnesium. Hardness levels are reported in grains per gallon (gpg). Water with less than 1 gpg is considered soft. Water that measures between 1 and 3 gpg is classified as moderately hard. Water that measures more than 3 gpg is classified as hard. Hard water can cause problems in steam irons, kettles, hot water heaters, dishwashers, coffee makers, water heaters, faucets, washing machines, water softening units, water conditioning units, ice-makers, humidifiers, hot tubs, pools, spas, aquariums and water filtration systems.
Conclusion
The effects of hard water are often only noticed when it begins to build up in your pipes or water heater. You can begin to notice drips, leaks, stains, and other aesthetic problems in your home. This buildup can be dangerous because it can build up in your appliances and cause them to fail. You can avoid these issues by purchasing a water softener.
