Water Softener System Basics for Homeowners

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A residential water softener system is a must-have for homes that have hard water in Palm Springs and Coachella Valley. If you have a well that supplies your home with water, then you have hard water. Hard water can be taxing on your home’s plumbing lines, water-using appliances, faucets, and fixtures.

How Does Hard Water Strain My Home’s Plumbing?

Hard water contains calcium, minerals, and even iron. Drinking hard water, cooking with it, and using it to shower, do dishes, and wash clothes is not harmful. However, if there are high levels of minerals and iron in the water, it can have an unpleasant metallic taste.

Hard water will also leave mineral deposits on faucets and fixtures, as well as water stains on dishes. If you have ever noticed those white water spots left after dishes dry, this is the dried calcium and minerals in your hard water.

Furthermore, hard water requires you to use more detergent, soap, and shampoo to achieve the desired results. The minerals and calcium in hard water do not mix well with soap. To get a good deep clean, you need to use more soap.

You will also need to use a second rinse when doing laundry. This is because soap does not easily rinse out of clothing after a single rinse when you have hard water. If you don’t run a second rinse cycle, soap can remain in clothing, which starts to harden over repeated washes.

How Does a Water Softener System Help?

Having a whole-house water softener installed by your plumber can help resolve these issues. The system helps remove the excess minerals, calcium, and iron from the drinking water, thereby making it soft water.

A whole-house system is installed in the location where the water main comes into the home. As such, all the water in the home will be softened, even your hot water. An alternative to a whole-house system is having smaller individual water softeners installed in various areas of the home, such as under sinks.

Is a Water Softener System the Same as a Water Filtration System?

Experienced home installer with water softener It is easy to get water softeners and water filtration systems mixed up. They are different types of systems you can have installed. Water filtration systems help remove odors, microorganisms, chlorine, and bacteria from your drinking water. If you have these issues with your drinking water, then you will want a water filtration system.

Keep in mind, water filters do not remove minerals, calcium, and iron from the water. If you have hard water and odor issues or want to remove microorganisms, chlorine, and bacteria, as well as soften the water, then you would need both a whole-house water softener and a water filtration system.

If you are not entirely sure what type of system your home needs, the best place to start is by scheduling a water quality test with your plumber. The test will determine what impurities are in your water and their levels, so you will know what type of system your home needs for the best-quality water.

To schedule a water quality test in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, or for further information about water softener systems and water filtration systems for your home, please feel free to contact KC’s 23 ½ Hour Plumbing at 760-327-8718 today!