How Hard Water Can Wreck a Plumbing System
If homeowners have been scraping hard water residue off their bathtubs or showers, it can signal they need to get rid of hard water, which can be done by installing a water softener. When homeowners add a water softener to their household, they can accurately get rid of hard water and protect their plumbing appliances and fixtures.
Homeowners must recognize the signs of hard water as soon as possible to prevent damage to their plumbing system and appliances. In this post, D’Iberville, MS, plumbers explain the symptoms of hard water that property owners should watch for and how water softeners can treat this problem.
Water Softening Process
Homeowners need to install a water softener if their home is experiencing the effects of hard water. This system can help remove minerals from water to improve a home’s water supply and protect its appliances and fixtures.
Water softener systems work by going through a process called ion exchange. This includes the following steps:
- Resin Bed: Inside the water softener system is a bed of resin beads coated with sodium ions.
- Water Flow: The hard water containing calcium and magnesium ions flows through the resin bed.
- Ion Exchange: The sodium ions in the resin bed will exchange places with the calcium and magnesium ions in the hard water.
- Softened Water: The water that emerges from the system is now softened because the calcium and magnesium ions have been replaced with sodium ions.
- Regeneration: The resin bed becomes saturated with calcium and magnesium ions over time. A salt and brine solution is flushed through the bed to regenerate the softener, releasing the trapped calcium and magnesium ions and replenishing the sodium ions.
The two most common types of water softener systems are salt-based and salt-free. Salt-based water softeners are mostly installed in homes and require regular salt regeneration, while salt-free water softeners treat the water without salt.
Symptoms of Hard Water
Numerous signs can indicate that hard water is present in the home. These can include sediment buildups on bathtubs, faucets, showers, sinks, and more. They can also include having dry skin, brittle hair, white spots on dishes, and more.
If homeowners notice and experience these signs, they must call a plumber immediately to inspect their water-softening system.
Advantages of Whole Home Water Softeners
If a house has hard water, installing a water softener can be beneficial. While these whole-house water softeners will keep plumbing fixtures working correctly for longer, they can also offer other benefits, including lower energy bills and cost savings on needing fewer repairs.
Homeowners can also enjoy brighter clothes, healthier skin and hair, cleaner dishes, and time savings on not needing to scrub and scale-off tubs and showers.
About Service Experts Plumbing
The Service Experts Plumbing team offers quality plumbing services to the Mississippi Gulf Coast area. They offer flat-rate pricing, on-time services, and 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Call them today for water softener services, including water softener installation in D’Iberville, MS.
