Water at home is taken for granted. The faucet is turned on, water comes out, you use it for cleaning, bathing, and drinking. Sometimes, you notice discoloration or an odd taste. If you have a skin condition, you may even notice irritation after bathing. Usually, you notice streaks on glassware and silverware. All these things can be a result of hard water, or unconditioned water. You can find solutions to any of these water issues. Begin by learning more about the advantages of installing a water conditioning system.
Hard Water Woes
The primary reason most homeowners install water conditioning systems is to offset the effects of hard water. Take a minute and think about where residential water originates. Way before it arrives at your local water treatment facility, water freely flows in lakes and rivers. Water from these sources often contain high amounts of magnesium, calcium, and zinc, which can show up in tap water. Calcium and magnesium are the biggest culprits since they tend to buildup and form limestone and chalk. Some areas of the country also have high levels of chlorine in tap water. Treating the water once it comes into your home decreases the levels of these minerals.
How Does a Water Conditioning System Work?
There isn’t just one type of water conditioning system, but most people are familiar with those that treat hard water by adding sodium to it. Remember that calcium builds up and forms limestone. You might recognize it when you look at the inside of your tea kettle or coffee pot. Sodium decreases that scaly buildup. Salt-free systems are growing in popularity. Rather than moving sodium through your water system, they treat hard water with electrical or magnetic currents. If you’re environmentally and energy conscious the salt-free systems are attractive because they don’t dump chemicals into the public water system. They also don’t use electricity.
Bring on the Sparkling Glassware
Water conditioning systems help reduce scale buildup in your plumbing pipes. If you use a dishwasher or washing machine, this is great news! Imagine how much more efficient these appliances can work if they don’t have a bunch of scaly crud clogging them up. Hard water wreaks havoc on clothes making them wear out and fade faster than they should. Dishes, glassware, and silverware also bear the brunt of hard water. Water conditioning improves water flow, which helps appliances work more efficiently. Bring on the sparkle!
Your Hair and Skin Will Thank You
Showering in hard water makes your hair feel and look dry. Your skin fares even worse as it can get itchy. People with serious skin conditions like eczema may suffer even more from hard water. Using a water conditioning system helps your body maintain the natural oils that combat dry skin and brittle hair. For many people who suffer from skin issues, a water conditioner is a true blessing.
Lower Energy Bills and Longer Lasting Pipes
The practical person that lives inside you should appreciate the cost factor of installing a water conditioning system. That limescale buildup doesn’t just cloud your dishes, it gets in the way of heat transfer in your water heater and clogs your pipes. Water heaters use less energy if the home uses soft water. Since limescale buildup contributes to corrosion inside pipes, using soft water means your pipes should last longer. Replacing plumbing pipes can be a major expense.
If you’re not convinced that installing a water conditioning system in your home is a huge benefit, sit down with a professional plumber and go over the advantages. Your skin, your home, and your budget will appreciate it.
