You may have heard of soft water and hard water, but what’s the difference? Which one is better for you? Would you benefit from water softening installation in Layton? At City Creek Plumbing, our years of plumbing experience and up-to-date technology mean that we’re more than equipped to help you figure out whether you need water softener installation. Here’s our guide to understanding water softening.
What Are Soft Water and Hard Water?
Hard water is water that contains relatively high concentrations of magnesium and calcium, while soft water has a lower concentration of these minerals and a higher concentration of sodium. When rain falls to the Earth, it is usually soft. As it makes its way into the ground and through pipes, this water picks up the minerals that make water hard.
Hard Water Vs. Soft Water
Although hard water is not unsafe to drink, it can create problems that you may run into while doing typical daily chores. This is because most soaps react with the calcium in hard water to create soap scum. If you have to rinse your hands longer to get the soap off of them when washing, or you find a film on your hands afterwards, this may be a sign of hard water.
You also may notice mineral deposits left behind on various surfaces when water evaporates. Spots on drinking glasses after they go through the dishwasher; dingier, mineral-stained clothes after doing laundry; and residue around fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen are all inconveniences caused by hard water.
You might also be able to identify hard water when you wash your hair. Hair left feeling dull instead of lustrous after a shower might be the result of hard water. If you’re noticing a lack of suds and lather in the shower, that’s another sign of hard water. Hard water can also leave users with dry hair and skin.
While these results of hard water are certainly inconvenient, there are ways that hard water can cause significant damage. Primarily, this damage can be found inside the pipes in your home. As hard water flows through the pipes, it deposits minerals that solidify, shrinking the openings in the pipes. Not only does this decrease water pressure, but it also increases the chance of needing costly plumbing repairs.
How Water Softener Installation in Layton Works
If hard water in your home is making what should be easy daily chores more difficult, it might be time to look into getting a water softener. Water softeners contain many tiny resin beads that each carry a negative charge. Magnesium and calcium carry positive charges, so when water passes through the beads, these minerals stick to the beads, preventing them from entering your home. Your water softener will then go through a regeneration cycle, in which it cleans and removes all of the minerals that the beads caught.
If you recognized some of the signs of hard water from this article in your own home, City Creek Plumbing is your plumber in Layton that can get your water softener expertly installed in virtually no time.