Most people don't think about water quality very often, but that's a huge mistake. If you have hard water, the minerals within it could damage your appliances, leave your skin feeling dry and itchy, produce filmy soap scum in your shower, and even make your clothes look dingy.
If you own a business, hard water could compromise your bottom line. For example, the mineral deposits in hard water can leave unattractive spots on glassware after cleaning. A pub serving pints in "dirty" glassware will leave a negative impression and limit repeat business even if the quality and customer service are top-notch.
Fortunately, you don't have to live with hard water. Water softeners are machines that remove the minerals in hard water, "softening" it and eliminating all the problems above. Continue reading to learn more about softened water's residential and commercial importance.
Hard water contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium. These minerals are often left behind after cleaning, leading to a filmy residue that can damage appliances and make faucets and shower stalls appear older than they are. Furthermore, bathing in hard water causes dry, itchy hair and skin.
Softened water refers to water where these minerals have been removed. Since the minerals are gone, they cannot be left behind and cause the issues associated with hard water.
__large.jpg "Why You Need Softened Water")
Most water softeners remove minerals through ion exchange. Magnesium and calcium have a natural positive charge, so the unit runs the water through a negatively charged bed of resin beads made of polystyrene. The opposite charges attract, pulling the minerals out of the water.
Most water softeners have three components: the mineral tank, control valve, and brine tank. The mineral tank is where ion exchange takes place. Resin beads last over 20 years, so mineral tanks require little maintenance.
The control valve tracks how much water flows into the mineral tank and initiates a regeneration cycle once it reaches a prescribed level. Regeneration is necessary because the resin beads lose their negative charge over time. Several factors determine how often regeneration occurs including how hard your water is, how many people are using the water, and the size of the property. Luckily, modern water softeners automate this entire process.
The brine tank houses salt to restore the negative charge of the resin beads during regeneration cycles. You'll have to manually replace the salt monthly to keep the system functional.
Residential and commercial systems work similarly, but commercial systems are generally larger with more frequent regeneration cycles.
Water softeners have a variety of features and maintenance costs, so it's important to find the right fit. Some factors you may wish to consider include capacity, water quality, salt usage, manufacturer's warranty, and how the unit integrates with your existing plumbing system.
Going to a manufacturer might be your first instinct when looking into water softeners, but they'll try to sell you something based on their needs, not yours. Instead, look for a third-party company with experience encompassing multiple brands. They'll be able to help you select a system and install it properly to prevent costly leaks.
Who wants to feel itchy after showering, deal with soap scum in the bathroom, or compromise the performance of their appliances? If your home or business has hard water, you should invest in a water softener today! The benefits of softened water will easily outweigh the cost of your unit.
