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In its purest form, water is nothing but H2O. However, the water flowing from your tap is not pure. Because water is a solvent, it picks up minerals as it runs down streams, over rocks, and through the ground on its way to water treatment plants. Even after being treated, tap water still contains minerals like magnesium and calcium. The more of these minerals that are found in the water, the “harder” it is.
You can tell you have hard water if you notice limescale buildup in your tub, on your dishes, and in your coffee pot. Of course, scale buildup isn’t the only problem – hard water can have negative effects on your skin, hair, clothes, and electric bill. Fortunately, installing a water softener is an easy, cost-effective way to solve your hard water problem. It works by removing magnesium and calcium through a process called ion exchange.
For more information on the benefits a water softener can provide continue reading our article below!
All water, falls into one of the following categories:
The classification is dependent on the concentration of minerals in the water. This concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm). The soft water has 0 to 60 ppm of minerals. Moderately hard water has between 61 and 120 ppm, hard water has between 121 and 180 ppm and very hard water is anything above 180 ppm.
When water comes to the earth as rain, it’s soft. At that point, the only chemical in the water is sodium. But as it falls and then flows down streets, drains, rivers etc., it picks up minerals, including calcium, magnesium, chalk, and lime. Because of the abundance of minerals, hard water is better for drinking, though most people don’t enjoy the taste.
Hard water can also cause problems when used around the house. It can cause spots on your glasses in the dishwasher, spots on your shower doors, film and soap scum on your tub, and even dingy-looking clothes from the washing machine. In some cases, it’s even the culprit when it comes to added wear and tear on your appliances. Hard water is harsher on appliances because when it’s heated, it leaves behind scale and sludge, which leads to weakened machines, clogged pipes, and increased energy usage.
It Saves you Money – Water softening devices can help prevent the buildup of minerals and sludge caused by hard water. This will keep your plumbing system and appliances from getting clogged or damaged. Soft water also lathers better, which will allow you to use much less water and detergent when cleaning. This will enable you to save money in the long run.
Helps protect the Environment – Compared to hard water, soft water heats more efficiently. This means that you will use less energy, a factor that will lead to reduced greenhouse gas emission. Similarly, installing a water softener can help you lower your energy bill, making it an environmentally-friendly choice.
Your Skin and Hair will be Healthier – Hard water removes natural moisture and oils from your skin and hair, leaving you feeling dry. Soft water on the other hand, contains fewer minerals which allows your skin to pick up and hold moisture more easily. Showering in softer water will also help balance your hair’s pH level and improve the effectiveness of your shampoo.
Clothes will be Softer and Brighter – The minerals in hard water tend to leave deposits in fabric, causing clothes to fade or stain. Soft water not only contains fewer minerals, but also soaks into clothes more easily. Soft water is also more effective when it comes to giving your clothes a thorough cleaning, and preserving the look and feel of fabrics.
Better Tasting Water – A water softener removes hard minerals and metallic contaminants from water that would make water taste funny to most individuals. When you have fresh, clean, good tasting drinking water in your home, you won’t have to spend money buying bottled water.
Proper installation of a water softener requires some plumbing knowledge. To ensure quality work, you should consider requesting professional plumbing services. At Terry’s Plumbing, we are a family-owned business that has been serving Pittsburgh residents for over 30 years. Our skilled and experienced technicians will ensure that the job is done right the first time around. Contact us today so we can help you start your next project!
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