While it’s not harmful to your health, it can be a significant nuisance in your daily life. When hard water evaporates, it leaves behind mineral deposits known as scale. The result:
- Over time, scale buildup restricts water flow.
- Dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters work harder when battling hard water.
- Hard water makes it difficult to achieve a spotless finish on dishes, mirrors, and shower doors.
- The minerals in hard water can strip moisture from your skin and hair.
From increased energy bills to premature appliance replacements and frequent plumbing repairs, the costs of dealing with hard water can add up quickly.
How does a water softener work?
Water softeners are designed to remove the excess minerals that cause hard water. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
- Hard water enters the softener tank where it passes through resin beads coated with sodium or potassium ions.
- The resin beads attract and trap the calcium and magnesium ions.
- Once the process is complete, soft water flows out to your faucets, appliances, and plumbing system.
- Over time, the resin beads become saturated with minerals. To refresh them, the system flushes the beads with a brine solution.
By eliminating the minerals that cause hard water, you get to enjoy prolonged appliance lifespan, improved cleaning, softer skin and hair, and reduced maintenance costs for plumbing and appliances.
