Hard water has an unusually high amount of minerals in it; the most common offenders are calcium and magnesium. They enter the water as it moves through rock underground, and the water slowly dissolves it over time. Those minerals can cause problems for your plumbing system. If your home has this problem, then a water softener can solve it by eliminating the minerals.

A Guide to Water Softeners

How They Work

A softening system uses a process called ion exchange to remove the minerals and replace them with harmless sodium ions. Common minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, are all positively charged molecules. The softener has a negatively charged media (resin beads or zeolite), through which the water is pushed.

The media is full of weak, positively charged sodium ions. As the water passes through, the more powerfully charged minerals latch onto the media and are replaced with the sodium in the water. The liquid that comes out of the softener is free of those minerals and has a negligible amount of sodium in it; this water won’t be salty in any way.

Why They’re Important

Hard water causes a lot of problems for a home. The minerals will stay behind on your plumbing and anything else it touches. This is why you’ll see hard water spots on your glasses after running the dishwasher, or a limescale buildup on your faucets.

It’s difficult to scrub off. That buildup occurs inside your pipes as well, which reduces your water pressure by limiting flow while shortening the life span of your plumbing and water-using appliances.

The minerals make it difficult for soap to sud up or rinse away properly. This means you’ll have to use more soap in the shower, for your dishes, and for your laundry to get everything clean. There will be a soap scum left behind after rinsing that causes dry skin and hair and stiff clothing. A softener will eliminate all of these problems.

If your home has hard water, you’ll benefit from installing a water softener as soon as possible. Butler Water Systems has been installing water purification systems throughout the greater Cincinnati area for over 40 years. Their highly skilled technicians are certified by the Water Quality Association and will help you find the right solution for your needs and budget. Learn more on their website and call (513) 863-5700 for a free water analysis.