Soft water is free of hard mineral ions and dissolved solids, like calcium, magnesium, and iron. When your water contains traces of these constituents, you can safely assume it is hard. Fortunately, hard water can be treated a number of ways. In some cases, you may need to apply more than one strategy to adequately soften your water.
Continue reading to learn the top three most effective ways to soften hard water, plus how to get started with a personalized soft water plan at home!
Water Softening 101
What is hard water? Hard water is water that has permeated the ground layer by layer, collecting the minerals and dissolved solids contained in the soil, clay, sand, and aggregate along the way. Once the water reaches the underground water table, where we source our municipal tap water from, it has a high level of hardness.
What’s the problem with hard water? A lot. For starters, limescale. When heat is introduced to hard water, it causes the calcium and magnesium deposits to release from the water and stick to pipes and other areas of contact, like faucets, drains, shower heads, water bowls, tea kettles, plumbing pipes, water heaters, boilers, water lines, and more. These residual deposits accumulate to form what is known as limescale, which can appear in a range of colors, from white and light blue to yellow, green, or even pink hues.
Not only does limescale poorly conduct heat, but it also obstructs the flow of water through pipes and other underground systems. In fact, this is a common reason for having poor or lowered water pressure. Scale damages plumbing and plumbed appliances, which ultimately costs homeowners’ money.
What are the signs of hard water? Don’t fall victim to premature appliance replacements or costly plumbing repair bills. Get rid of a hard water problem at first sight. Common signs of hard water, aside from limescale formation and low water pressure, include spotty dishes or dishes that don’t seem to get cleaned, as well as poor quality laundry, like faded, stiff, or musty/sour-smelling clothes. Poor soap lather, itchy irritated skin, and dingy hair are more signs of hard water.
How to Eliminate Hard Water
What can you do to get rid of hard water? There are many options, but the top three most effective water softening methods, which can be used in congruence, include water softeners, whole house water filters, and reverse osmosis.
Water Softeners
Water softeners are the top-recommended, most effective tool for eliminating and abating hard water. In regions with naturally softer water (not Indiana by the way; we have the hardest water in the country!), a home might only need a quality water softener. In areas with harder water, like the Hoosier state, a home would benefit from installing a water softener and then combining it with another effective soft water strategy.
Whole House Water Filters
Whole house water filtration is an excellent way to soften water even further. It is especially useful for making tap water taste and perform better. If your drinking water tastes better, you can stop wasting money on bottled and canned versions! Plus, your coffee, tea, soup, lemonade, and other water-based pleasures will taste even more delicious. Not only will whole house water filters and cutting-edge iron removal systems eliminate heavy metals and contaminants in your drinking water, but they may also come with anti-bacterial filter options for treating E. coli, coliform, chemicals, dissolved solids, and more.
Reverse Osmosis System
Reverse osmosis is a convenient and affordable water filtration technology that utilizes water pressure and semi-permeable membranes to remove unwanted contaminants and heavy metals from tap water. Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are designed to eliminate things like sodium, potassium, nitrates, and other dissolved solids. With a simple touch of a button, anyone in your home can instantly have purified drinking water right from the tap!
Are you ready to implement an effective and budget-friendly hard water removal plan for your home or office? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional water softener sales, installation, service, and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial customers, and service all make and model water softeners, including saltfree water softeners.
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