Water Softener Installation: Things You Need to Know

Water Softener Installation: Things You Need to Know

What is Water Softening?

We tend to use water for our daily use from different sources like municipal water supply, from a well, or from other water sources. Whatever the source of water, it may contain many naturally occurring contaminants like iron, magnesium, calcium, and other metal cations, making the water “hard”. Hard water stains kitchen sinks and bathroom fixtures, corrodes water pipes and appliances that use water causing them to degrade and require frequent replacements. While using detergents, lathering becomes a problem when the water is hard. This leaves the clothes and dishes scaled. The smell and taste of hard water are different which is due to the minerals in it.

A Water Softener system for the home can correct these problems. Water softening is the removal of these contaminants and the residential Water Softener system processes the “hard water” making it “soft”. Now, less soap is required with this soft water as it forms more lather and does not leave scaling or stains on the clothes or utensils. Pipes and other fittings are also free from scaling problems resulting in increased life.

How is Water Softening Achieved?

Water softening is achieved using different methods.

  • Ion-exchange resin method

Residential Water Softening appliances use an ion-exchange resin in the form of beads, to reduce the water hardness by replacing the “hardness ions” – calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions. To remove carbonate or sulfate ions, these ion-exchange resins can be used. When all the available sodium ions have been replaced with calcium or magnesium ions, the resin must be recharged by eluting the calcium and magnesium ions using a solution of sodium chloride (common salt) sodium hydroxide (lye), or potassium hydroxide, depending on the type of resin used. Magnesium and calcium salts which are usually not required move out as waste.

  • Lime softening

When lie is added to hard water to make it soft, the process is known as lime softening. This process also removes a variety of microorganisms and dissolved organic matter. This process is mainly used for industrial water treatment applications.

  • Reverse osmosis

It is a water purification technology. Unwanted molecules and ions are removed from water through the reverse osmosis process. The membrane has large pores which permit water molecules to pass through. Hydrostatic pressure is used here. The pores though will not allow the hard ions such as calcium and magnesium to pass through resulting in their removal and softening of the water. The special membranes function as a type of water filter and require regular maintenance.

  • Nanofiltration

Nanofiltration (NF) is a relatively new membrane filtration process that uses a special membrane with nano-meter-sized through-pores. Pore sizes in the membranes mostly range from 1 to 10 nanometers which are larger than the ones in the RO machines. However, they tend to be smaller than the ones used in the ultrafiltration process. The process here softens the water.

  • Magnetic based system

This is a process by which the hardness of the water is reduced by passing it through a magnetic field. This is also known as anti-scale magnetic treatment and uses a set of magnetic transmitters coiled around the water supply pipes.

Do I Need a Residential Water Softener System?

The best way to decide if a residential Water Softener System is required is to test the source of water and the water itself. The water source either from the municipal water supply, or from a well or other water sources should be tested for hardness ions such as calcium and magnesium, particle contamination, taste, and smell. If the test result shows up as negative in any of these parameters, a residential water softener system is required.

What are the benefits of installing a Residential Water Softener System?

  • Quality of water

Whatever the source of water, it may contain many naturally occurring contaminants like iron, magnesium, calcium, etc. Installing a residential Water Softener System ensures that the water available in the house is soft water.

  • Better plumbing system

Installing a water softening system prevents scale deposits from forming in the plumbing system, ensuring better water flow and pressure.

  • Better Tasting Water

Installing a water-softening system removes minerals that can make water taste and smell bad.

  • Lesser Maintenance of Household appliances

Installing a water-softening system ensures that household appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, etc., are not exposed to hard water. This results in lesser maintenance and a longer lifespan for these appliances.

  • Better Clothes & Dishes – Stays Bright, Fresh, and Crisp

Installing a water softening system ensures your clothes are brighter, and your dishes are scale and film-free.

  • Easy and faster installation

Installing a water softener for a home is an easy task primarily because the installation is only at one place before the water storage unit. It does not require any major plumbing changes to be made and, hence, also makes for faster installation.

At Peninsula Water Conditioning Inc., we have the best water softeners. Our technicians will ensure proper installation, so you get healthy drinking water in your home. For more information about our water softener installation process, give us a call at (410) 341-6500 today!

Also Read:

What are the Benefits of Installing a Water Softener?

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