There are a lot of different contaminants that can decrease water quality, some of which are more harmful than others. Hard water is a very common contaminant found in areas throughout the country. Though it is not physically harmful, it can wreak havoc on the pipes in the plumbing system. If you think you may have hard water present in your home, have a look below to find out why installing a water softener might be a good idea.
Hard Water and Lime Scale
Hard water is just water with a lot of calcium and magnesium particles in it. The reason this is a problem for your plumbing system is that the water flowing through the pipes will tend to leave some of those particles behind. Over time, the particle buildup will begin to form mineral deposits called limescale. Limescale buildup restricts the flow of water through the pipes, lowering the water pressure in the plumbing system. If the limescale is not caught and removed in a timely fashion, it will harden and become extremely difficult to remove without damaging the pipes. If you really want to keep your plumbing system properly protected, the ideal thing to do is to install a water softener. This will save you the worry of having to have your pipes scoured out on a regular basis.
Water Softening
Water softening works by removing the particles in hard water. This is done in a number of different ways, depending on the model. Most common are sodium water softeners, which work by replacing the calcium and magnesium molecules in the water with sodium molecules. This isn’t enough to make your water noticeably salty, but it is enough to prevent limescale from forming in your system.
There are also a couple of different options for where you can have your water softener installed. Some homeowners like to have point-of-use water softeners. These are often installed in kitchens or bathrooms to prevent limescale from building up on glasses or on shower doors. The problem with these appliances is that they do not protect your plumbing system itself. Whole house water softeners are usually better investments for that reason.
A whole house water softener is installed in the water line of the home. This means that water flowing into the home will have to flow through the water softener first. We generally recommend going with this kind of installation, because it means that you can rest assured that your entire plumbing system is protected from the effects of hard water. You can extend the life of your plumbing system, and increase its efficiency, by installing a whole house water softener.
Performance Plumbing provides comprehensive water softening services. If you need a plumber in St. Charles, MO, we can help you out. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional plumbers. We’ll make sure that your water quality is excellent.