While that cold glass of water on a hot day might seem pure and refreshing, it may contain a number of minerals outside of hydrogen and oxygen. In fact, many households need water treatment systems called softeners to purify their drinking, bathing, and cooking water. If you’re wondering whether your home needs this plumbing add-on, consider the following guide.

How Do Water Softeners Treat Hard Water?

As water travels underground, against natural rocks and inside man-made pipes, it picks up trace amounts of minerals like magnesium and calcium, resulting in “hard” water. When incorporated into your household plumbing system, water softeners remove these minerals, “softening” your supply.

To eliminate hard minerals, water softeners rely on a tank filled with resin beads, which carry a negative charge. Since calcium and magnesium have positive charges, they grab onto the negative beads when passing through the tank. Then, a positively charged, sodium-rich solution is flushed through the paired ions, knocking the calcium and magnesium ions off of the negative beads and down the drain. This water treatment process is called an ion exchange.

Why Is It Beneficial for Homeowners to Install One?

In some cases, you might have been living with hard water for so long that you don’t notice the disadvantages of its use. However, water rich in calcium and magnesium is harder on plumbing fixtures and appliances, leaving a white film behind around faucets and drains. As you wash your hair and body with hard water, it can dry out the natural oils in your skin, leading to rougher skin and rashes. You might even notice your dishes never get sparkling clean—that’s because hard water leaves behind a cloudy film of minerals once the liquid evaporates. By adding a water treatment device to your plumbing system, you can prolong the life span of your household fixtures, enjoy softer skin and hair, and eat off of cleaner dishes.

If you’re not sure whether you need a water softener, contact Gary's Pump Service of Danbury, CT. As a locally owned and operated company, they have over 40 years of experience helping area residents enjoy cleaner drinking water. In addition to water treatment services, they also specialize in water well and sump pump services. To learn more about their wide range of capabilities, visit the website, or call (203) 744-7826 to ask for a free estimate.