Hard water is a common issue in many homes across the country. It can cause numerous problems, such as clogged pipes and increased energy requirements to heat your water. Hard water is caused by the buildup of minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Two popular water treatment options for hard water include water conditioning systems and water softeners. Read on to discover how these two options work and learn the benefits of each.
How Does a Water Softener Work?
A water softener is a system that uses a process called ionic exchange to remove hard water minerals — calcium and magnesium — and replace them with sodium ions. The softener must be filled with softener-specific salt that gets taken in during the machine’s regeneration cycle while it flushes the minerals. The benefits of a water softener include:
- Removal of hardness: A water softener will effectively eliminate hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium.
- Prevention of pipe damage: Water softeners prevent mineral buildup that can irreversibly damage pipes.
- Reduction of cleaning time: Hard water makes it difficult to clean dishes and do laundry because the minerals do not easily dissolve. When your water is softer, your clothes and dishes will get clean more quickly and easily.
- Cleaner skin and hair: Hard water is not completely soluble with soaps and hair products, making it harder to get a deep lather. It can also make your hair and skin feel dry. Soft water will help balance your hair’s pH and allow your skin to more easily retain its natural oils.
How Does a Water Conditioner Work?
A water conditioner, also known as a salt-free conditioner or descaler, is a type of filter system that will change the composition of your water to prevent scaling. Unlike a water softener, a water conditioner does not remove minerals from the water completely. Using one will offer many benefits, including:
- Low maintenance: Water conditions do not require the use of salt like water softeners do.
- Environmentally friendly operation: They do not use salt or electricity, and there is no wastewater that gets discharged into the environment.
- Reduced costs: Water conditioners typically cost less to install than a water softener.
- Improved quality: These systems are designed to improve water quality and remove contaminants like chlorine, sulfur, pesticides and other harmful chemicals that can be found in your home’s water supply.
Get Your Water Conditioning System From Dick Ray Master Plumber
At Dick Ray Master Plumber, we offer a water conditioning system known as the EnviroSoft™. These systems are salt-free solutions that do not require electricity or wastewater, and they’re available in two forms: reverse-osmosis and ultra-violet (UV). These units are designed to change the composition of water so that scale will no longer form, and they’re ideal for protecting against contaminants such as lead, fluoride and bacteria.
The experts at Dick Ray Master Plumber can help you determine which system will work best for your specific home and needs. Give us a call today for more information, or submit our online form to schedule an appointment.
