Water: we use it for everything, but many of us do not understand exactly what is in it beyond the high school H2O equation. In reality, water picks up a variety of minerals, metals, and chemicals as it is collected and processed. Many of these are not harmful, but high-mineral hard water can wreck havoc on your pipes and appliances. Here are some facts about soft water and reasons you should consider purchasing a water conditioner.
What Is Soft Water?
Most likely, the water that fills your shower, toilets, and washing machine comes from a surface-water source such as a natural or man-made reservoir. Well water comes from aquifers or other underground reservoirs. No matter the source, the water you use contains varying amounts of minerals, including calcium, iron, and magnesium. Simply put, hard water has a high mineral content, but soft water does not.
What Are Some Benefits of Soft Water?
Soft water has many benefits, including the feel itself. It is physically softer and gentler on your skin and will not leave behind residue like hard water does. Soft water also smells better, is fresher tasting, and allows you to use less soap and detergent in your daily chores.
One of the biggest benefits is that soft water is much less likely to leave deposits and lime scale build-up in your pipes. With hard water, over time your pipes may become clogged to the point that they have to be professionally cleaned or even replaced. The best method of protection is prevention, especially by using a system such as a hard water descaler. Descalers can be used in combination with water conditioner systems to give you soft and deposit-free water.
Does My Area Need A Water Softener?
Some cities are known for having either very soft or hard water. Seattle, for example, is situated in a region with low-mineral content. Water that passes through San Diego, on the other hand, has picked up many additional minerals and is considered to be quite hard.
If your home has very hard water, you can probably already feel it when you shower. You may also have noticed some calcium deposits, pipe damage, or sink and shower wall residue. You can purchase a simple home test kit to determine the extent of the hardness, or you can contact a local water testing company.
Thankfully, there are chemical-free solutions to hard water in the home. Many water softeners are costly and require constant maintenance, but there are many salt-free descaler and conditioner systems available. These will prevent lime build-up while supplying you with an environmentally friendly answer to your hard water woes. Avoid future plumbing nightmares by protecting your pipes today with descalers and conditioners.
