Many people come to us with questions about hard water. They ask things like: What is hard water? What are the consequences of hard water? How can I fix my hard water? First of all, hard water is just water with a high mineral content. It isn’t bad for you to consume, but it can be harmful to your plumbing pipes, water heater, and appliances and cause other problems. At Rooter-Man Plumbers, we specialize in water treatment, including water filtration and water softeners, and we can help implement a plan at your home to improve your water quality in Tomball.
What is a Water Softener?
A water softener is a system that uses an ion exchange process to remove calcium, magnesium, and other minerals from the water. This helps reduce buildup in pipes and appliances, makes cleaning easier, and improves the taste of the water.
Types of Water Softeners
There are different types of water softeners available. The most common type is the whole-house water softener that filters all the water coming into your home. There are also smaller systems, such as point-of-use water softener systems, that can be installed in specific areas of your home for better results.
We recommend a whole-house water softener for most homes because it ensures that all of the water in your home is soft and free from minerals. This can help prevent costly repairs to your pipes, fixtures, and appliances.
The Benefits of Treating Your Hard Water With a Water Softener
- Your plumbing pipes will be less likely to become disrupted by mineral buildup. Hard water can be very destructive on pipes. Residue builds up more and more over time and can result in pipe corrosion, water leaks, or a decrease in water pressure.
- Your water heater will work more efficiently. When hard water causes mineral deposits to build up in your water heater, the heating element will not work as efficiently and you’ll end up paying more on your utility bills.
- Your laundry will come out cleaner and softer. Hard water can make your clothes or linens come out looking dull and dingy. Softened water will help your laundry detergent to lather better (so you can use it a little less and save a little money) and everything will come out cleaner when the minerals are removed.
- Appliances that are impacted by hard water will be given the opportunity to last longer. Softened water is better for appliances than hard water. With reduced mineral buildup, your appliance life expectancy increases.
- It will be easier to wash your bathroom. The residue left behind by hard water can be difficult to scrub away, but soft water will leave less buildup behind.
- Your hair and skin will feel softer and healthier. Hard water prevents the proper removal of soap scum, so you leave the tub with a thin residue of soap on your body, which can leave your hair and skin feeling dryer than they should. The water softener will allow you to thoroughly rinse and will also make your soaps and shampoos lather up better.
What Are The Consequences of Hard Water?
When you have hard water, mineral deposits can build up in your pipes, water heater, and appliances which can lead to a decrease in water pressure. This can shorten the life of your plumbing and appliances, resulting in costly repairs or replacements. Hard water also makes it difficult to rinse away soap and detergents, leaving a residue on your skin, hair, and clothes that can be uncomfortable. It is also more difficult to wash dishes or clothes with hard water because the soap won’t lather as well. Your hair and skin may also feel dry because of the soap residue left behind on your body. Purchasing a water softener will help you avoid these problems.
How to Find Out if You Have Hard Water in Your Home
There are a few ways to determine if you have hard water. One way is to check for scale buildup on your fixtures, sinks, and showers. Another easy way is to add a small quantity of dish soap to a glass of water and see if it produces suds. If there are lots of suds, then the water is likely, not hard. A more accurate way to determine the hardness level of your water is to test it with a water hardness test strip that you can purchase at most hardware stores and home centers. Hold the test strip in the water for a few seconds and then check the colors on the strip. Match it to the included color chart to determine how hard or soft your water is.
You may send a sample of your water to a lab for further testing or get the latest water testing report from your water supplier. You can also call Rooter-Man Plumbers and we can come to your home and test the hardness of your water with our state-of-the-art testing equipment.
Once you have determined the hard water level of your home, you can decide whether to install a water softener system or not. A professional plumber can help you choose the right type of system for your needs and provide expert installation services to ensure that your water-softening system is working properly.
Do You Think Your Home Has Hard Water?
Do the benefits of a water softener sound appealing? At Rooter-Man plumbers, we have the water treatment solution that’s right for you. Give us a call today to take the first step in improving water quality at your Tomball or North Houston home!