Complete Guide to Water Softeners
Your water supply may contain far more than just H2O. Many parts of the United States have “hard water,” which contains dissolved calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, and other minerals. These minerals don’t make the water inherently unsafe to use, but they cause several unwanted effects, including:
- Visible chalky white stains on sinks, faucets, and bathtubs
- Mineral buildup inside pipes and appliances
- Dry skin and dull-looking hair
- Unclean-appearing clothes and dishes (even after washing)
If you have hard water, consider installing a water softener. Here, we’ll answer some basic questions about water softeners, including what they are, how they work, and how much they cost.
What Is a Water Softener?
Let’s start with the basics: What does a water softener do? A water softener is a whole-house water treatment system that removes calcium and magnesium particles from your water. Water softening prevents many of the problems that result from using hard water. Soaps and detergents, for instance, lather easier in soft water and clean more efficiently.
How Does a Water Softener Work?
Water softeners work through a process called ion exchange. The unit acts as a barrier between the public water supply and your property's water lines. Water enters the tank and flows through a bed of plastic pellets charged with negatively charged sodium ions. Calcium and magnesium molecules have positive charges.
The negatively charged pellets attract the positively charged minerals, pulling them out of the water and releasing sodium ions in their place. The softened water is now ready for household use. The system runs a regeneration cycle at least once a week to remove hard water minerals from the water softener pellets. It sounds complicated, but the process is actually very simple, and water softeners have only a few moving parts and are one of the most reliable household appliances you’ll ever own.
Understanding Hard Water
Let’s learn a little about hard water vs. soft water. Up to 85% of the U.S. has hard water, which contains high levels of dissolved calcium, magnesium, and other minerals and metals. Hard water is safe to use, but when the minerals build up on surfaces, they produce several unwanted complications, including:
- Damaging mineral accumulations in pipes, water heaters, and other water-based appliances
- Itchy skin after bathing or showering
- Starchy, scratchy feeling to washed laundry
- Water spots on glassware and glass shower enclosures
- Stains on faucets and fixtures
- Increased soap and detergent use (hard water makes lathering more difficult)
- Unpleasant smells
Types of Water Softeners
Ion-Exchange Water Softeners
Ion-exchange water softening systems use ionized sodium beads and require regular refills of water softener salt. Contrary to what you may have heard, water softeners do not make your water taste salty. Some locations restrict the use of ion-exchange water softening systems, citing the environmental impacts of salty wastewater produced during regeneration flushes, but this is uncommon.
Dual-Tank Water Softeners
Dual-tank water softeners have two tanks, one of which can be used while the other undergoes regeneration. A dual-tank water softener costs more than a single-tank ion-exchange water softening system.
Salt-Free Water Conditioners
Salt-free water conditioners substitute potassium chloride for sodium. Technically, these are not water-softening systems, as they do not remove hard water minerals from your water supply. Instead, they prevent hard water minerals from building up in pipes and appliances. Salt-free water conditioners are best suited for smaller households.
How to Choose a Water Softener
Choosing a water softener is similar to choosing a water heater; the unit must have the capacity to provide your household with a sufficient daily water supply. To calculate the size of water softener you need, multiply the number of people in your home by the average number of gallons used per day, then multiply this by your water hardness level.
Example: If a three-person home uses an average of 75 gallons a day and has a water hardness level of 8.0 grains per gallon (gpg), you would multiply 3 x 75 x 8 = 1,800, so you would need a water softener capable of processing 1,800 gpg every day.
Water Softener Installation and Maintenance
A licensed plumber should install your water softener to ensure the unit meets all regulatory codes. As for where to install a water softener, plumbers recommend the unit be positioned close to where the main water line enters your home, usually in a basement, garage, or utility room. It should be installed upstream from the water heater. You will need easy accessibility to the water softener in order to maintain the system and occasionally add salt pellets, usually about four times a year, depending on your settings.
How to Maintain a Water Softener
Periodically check the brine tank of your water softening unit to ensure sufficient salt levels, topping salt up as needed. Clean the brine tank once a year or hire a water softener service to do so.
Benefits of Using a Water Softener
- Reduced pipe scaling and mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances
- Fewer stains and mineral accumulation on fixtures
- Extended life of plumbing and water-based appliances
- Improved feel of washed clothing (and clothing will last longer)
- Healthier skin and hair
- More pleasant water taste
- Better performance from soaps and detergents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I regenerate my water softener?
You should run the water softener regeneration cycle every two to three days. Very hard water may require a daily regeneration cycle.
Can I use potassium chloride pellets instead of salt pellets?
Most water-softening units can substitute potassium chloride for salt.
What are resin beads?
Water softener beads are typically made from plastic or resin and use positive sodium ions to remove hard water minerals from the water supply. If the unit is well-maintained, the water softener beads usually last the lifetime of the water softener itself.
How long do water softeners last?
With proper maintenance, a water-softening unit lasts 10 to 15 years.
Are there any health concerns associated with softened water?
Water softeners that use salt add trace amounts of sodium to the water supply, but probably not enough to affect people with high blood pressure. If you’re concerned, you should consult with a doctor before installing a water softener.
Interested in water softener installation now that you know more about the water softening process? Call Roto-Rooter Today!