Can you imagine using hard and dirty water that comes out of the faucets and pipes in your home? Doing so will lead to bad stomach, dirty laundry, rusting pipes, and so on.
That is why you need a whole house water softener in your home. You and your family will benefit from installing a whole house water softener – we’re not only talking about hygiene.
But before you purchase and install one, you must first understand the concept and fundamentals of water softeners. You’re in luck, as we will discuss all softeners for the next couple of paragraphs. We better get started.
Water Softening And Water Softener Systems
Water from natural sources does not come immediately clean. It contains a bunch of things – dirt, debris, microorganisms, bacteria, and so on. Experts and scientists call this unprocessed liquid “hard water.” Hard water will cause a myriad of problems to you and your water system.
Some of the negative effects include dirty dishes and laundry, bleached and dry hair, and skin, rusty and damaged pipes and water systems, and so on. Hard water also causes damage to pipes and faucets – which makes maintenance quite a nightmare. Before any hard water enters your pipes and water systems, it must first undergo water softening. Water softening is the process of turning hard water into soft water by eliminating all excess and unwanted materials in it.
The result is high-quality and safe water you can use for your everyday needs. A water softener system conducts the cleaning and filtering process allowing you to have safe and clean water.
The Water Softener’s Primary Components
There are three primary components that make up a functioning water softening system. These are the mineral tank, control valve, and brine tank. You will find out more about these parts as you read below.
- The mineral tank
Your water comes from a source, which connects to the water system you have at home. The water first goes to the mineral tank, where the ion process happens. What happens in the mineral tank is the water goes through a layer of resin beads and other materials. These components will eliminate compounds, such as calcium, magnesium, and other minerals.
- The control valve.
You can probably guess the function of this part. The control valve is responsible for water volume monitoring that goes through the system and into your home.
- The brine tank
The last part of the system, the brine tank, has a unique role. What it does is that it assists with the repair and regeneration of the mineral tank. The brine tank contains a controlled amount of salt that repairs or reinvigorates the resin beads. It is a crucial piece of the system that allows it to continue serving its purpose for years to come.
How Does A Water Softener System Work?
A water system uses a process we call ion exchange. What happens is that ion processing equipment will filter out and get rid of excess materials and unwanted compounds present in the water. The processed water now travels across the system and into your homes.
Why Use A Whole House Water Softener System At All?
No one on earth wants to go through daily life with unclean or unprocessed water. That is why you should use such a system for your houses. While it is still okay to use water from sources without processing it. Here are some signs that you should scratch that way of living and upgrade with a water softening system:
- There are noticeable stain marks in the sink and in your tub.
- You find dirt and stains in kitchen appliances and utensils after cleaning them out.
- Your fabrics appear discolored after laundry day.
- You notice there are scale-like particles in the water you use.
- You tend to have dry skin and hair after you take a shower.
- The pipes and tubes in your home are rusty and seemingly clogged with debris and other materials.
How Much Does A Water Softener Cost?
Purchasing and installing a water softener is no joke. It will cost at least three to five thousand dollars to finish the job. However, that expense may change. How much you will have to pay will depend on some factors. Check them out below:
- The system’s overall size
You will have to answer what size you might need for your home. How big is your family? How large is your house? Do you utilize that much water? If so, how many gallons do you consume each day?
- Your water condition
How much you will spend on the system also depends on your water’s condition. The harder it is, the more you will have to soften it. That means you will spend more to secure a system that will do the job.
- Component quality
The better system parts come at a cost. But they do the job efficiently. You can save on some cash by doing some research before purchasing a component or two.
- The type of valve you will use
There are two kinds of valves: metered and timed. Each variation has its share of functions and perks. They also have a different price range.
You can narrow down how much you will spend if you tackle each of these determinants. Doing so will save you some time and cash.
Will Such A System Last For A Long Time?
Definitely. Most whole house water softening systems can last up to thirty years if you take care of them properly. Its lifespan also depends on what type of product you choose to get. While softener systems are durable and efficient, it is still up to you to do the maintenance. Check your water softener system every once in a while. Replace any parts that are heavily damaged. Repair those that are not.
The Benefits Of Having A Whole House Water Softener System
Your softener system does a lot more than make your water cleaner and better in terms of quality. Here are some of the advantages you can benefit from with a water softener system:
- You can say farewell to any hard water woes.
- The clothes you take for laundry will be brighter and fresh.
- Your skin and hair will be full of life after a shower.
- Your pipes and other water systems will not wear down due to unwanted minerals and compounds.
- You will have cleaner kitchen utensils.
- There is less damage to other appliances that utilize water.
- The processed water is safe to use for food and farming purposes.
Setting The System Up
You can go ahead and install the system with no expert assistance. But if things prove to be quite troublesome, get some professional help to do the job for you. A water system company will gladly do all the physical work while you can sit back and relax.
Is The Water Softener Worth The Expense At All?
That is a hundred percent yes from us. You can use fresh and unprocessed water all you want. We’re not saying you cannot. But utilizing a water softener for your water concerns will prove to be one of the best investments you will ever make. The water you use is cleaner and has better quality, unlike which you will get from most wells and other sources. So consider getting such a system if you still don’t have one.
As A Conclusion
Better water means better living. We cannot function well without fresh and clean water in our lives. So one way to get it is through whole house water softener systems. These systems will convert hard and unprocessed water into cleaner and soft water that is ideal for utility and consumption. Purchasing and installing one will definitely take some cash off your hands, but the expense will be worth it in the long run. Just trust us on this one.
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