Many homeowners in suburban and rural areas use water softeners to prevent mineral buildups in their water supply, increasing the life span of their appliances. However, many don’t know how these whole-house filtration systems work. By learning the basics of how softeners function, you can better understand the benefits and identify issues when they arise. Here’s what you need to know.  

What Does a Water Softener Do?

Hard water contains a number of minerals, including magnesium and calcium. When they dissolve, scale builds up on pipes and appliances, such as coffee makers, water heaters, and tea kettles.

Eventually, the pipes will clog, leading to plumbing issues and expensive repair bills. Additionally, these minerals reduce the effectiveness of soap, causing sticky scum to form when washing dishes or taking a shower. 

How Do Water Softeners Help?  

Softeners switch out the magnesium and calcium ions with sodium, which gets rid of the problems associated with hard water. The exchange process takes place in a tank full of resin or zeolite, which are small polystyrene beads. The sodium ions are positively charged, and they bond with the negatively charged beads. When water flows through the tank, the magnesium and calcium ions swap with the sodium ions.

After several cycles of this process, the magnesium and calcium replace the sodium, making the softener no longer effective. However, the machine will go through a regeneration cycle to fix the problem; it’ll soak the beads in sodium chloride, a strong water and salt solution. This gets rid of the calcium and magnesium, flushing it through a drainpipe. 

If you’re looking to install, replace, or repair a water softener, contact Kandi Water Conditioning Inc. Serving Kandiyohi County, MN, and the surrounding counties, they’ve been working with homeowners for over 25 years. They’ll protect your appliances and ensure that your water is clean. Their professionals are experts in water filtration, and they provide same-day services. Call (320) 796-6020 to set up an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services.