WATER SOFTENERS
If you have hard water in your home, it’s not going to pose any health threats, but it’s still an issue most homeowners would rather live without. Hard water is created when there are excess minerals such as calcium and magnesium in the household water supply. These minerals come from rock formations and are completely natural, but they cause a handful of frustrating effects.
Signs You Have Hard Water
While dissolved minerals may be the cause of hard water, there are some telltale signs that will tell you what’s going on. An ugly white residue known as limescale can form on things like cutlery, cookware, dishwashers and other fixtures when you have hard water. Limescale isn’t harmful, but it is unattractive and can be difficult to remove. If you notice that soap and shampoo haven’t been lathering as well, that’s another potential sign of hard water. Neither of these signs is serious, but you still probably don’t want them in your house.
What is the Water Softening Process?
The water softening process works by exchanging the minerals that cause the hard water with sodium ions. Typically, polystyrene beads that have a negative charge are used to attract the positively charged ions of the magnesium and calcium in the water. Most household water softening systems include automatic regeneration; which means they flush and recharge the system on a regular schedule. Ross Plumbing is experienced in water softening, and we offer a few different options depending on the size of your home and your water softening needs.
About DIY Water Softening
It’s not difficult to find do-it-yourself water softening kits at virtually any hardware or home improvement store. If you are a DIY type, you’ve likely seen these products and possibly even used some of them in an effort to soften your water. At best, you’ll see interim results with these methods, and most of the time the results will only be evident for isolated faucets in your house. Having a whole-house water softening system installed will provide you with soft water, free from excess minerals, from every faucet in the house.