Where to Start When You Need to Buy a Water Softener

If you have thought about adding a water softener to your home or office, there are a few things to consider first. These considerations will help you determine which type of water softener best suits your water softening and conditioning needs.

Continue reading to learn where to start when choosing a new water softener for your home or office.

Hard Water Removal Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870
Hard Water Removal Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

Step By Step Guide to Buying a Water Softener

Buy a Hard Water Testing Kit

The first thing you need to consider is the hardness of your water. The degree of iron and other minerals in the water supply will give you an understanding on how necessary it is to purchase a water softener. Depending on where you live, the hardness of water can differ substantially. Typically, hard water is influenced by the amount of region rainfall and drought patterns. It can fluctuate from city to city. Once you have tested your water, you can continue on the path of choosing the right water softening system for your individual needs.

Determine What Size You Will Need

Choosing the right size water softener can be complicated. This is a good place to ask a professional for assistance.  It is helpful to understand exactly what a water softener does before attempting to calculate the proper size might need.

A water softener basically removes hard mineral from water, (i.e. iron, calcium, etc.) and trades it in for softer minerals like sodium. Inside these appliances are things called ion exchange resin. These act as little “chemical magnets”. The more ion magnets a water softener contains, the higher its capacity is. 

The capacity refers to the number of gallons a system can purify before it needs regenerated or recharged. The capacity is measured by grain removal per gallon. The average water supply in America has around 10 grains of hardness per gallon. Since you have used a hard water testing kit, you already know the degree of hardness in your water. 

Calculate Your Occupancy

In order to calculate how much water your home or office needs to purify, multiply the number of people in the home or building by 80.  The number eighty comes from the statistic that the average person uses 80 gallons of water per day. Simply use the formula to calculate the capacity requirements. An average family of four would require a 32000 grain water softener once the math is calculated. Refer to the example below for a better understanding.

People in House: 4
Gallons Used Per Person: 80
Gallons Used Per Day in House: 80×4=320
Grains per Gallon: 10
Grains Used Per Day: 320×10=32000

What You Need to Know About Water Softener Regeneration

A water softener requires recharging after an extended amount of usage and time. The rate at which a water softener needs regenerated is determined by its capacity. There are three different regeneration options: meter regenerated, timer regenerated, and manual regeneration.  Meter regenerated water softeners are highly efficient because they are programmed to acclimate to changes in water usage.

It only regenerates when it needs to, saving energy and money on salt pellets in the long run. Timer water softeners use a time clock to schedule and execute regeneration. No matter how much water is used, it will regenerate as programmed. Manual regenerated softeners are pretty self-explanatory at this point.  These systems do not use timers or meters to track the amount of water used per day. They require manual draining and recharging every time.

Is your water softener in need of service or repair right now? Do you need a new water softener? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for Indianapolis Indiana plumbing services for water softeners, today. We provide residential and commercial plumbing services all throughout Central Indiana.

Related Posts:

How Hard Water Problems Can Cost You Money
5 Signs of a Hard Water Problem
How to Choose a Residential Water Softener Based on Occupancy

Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

How to Tell if Your Home Could Use a Water Softener

Take a look around your property. Whether it is a commercial building or a private residence, there will be signs suggesting you could use a water softener if you don’t already have one, or a new one if your current one is experiencing an onset of aging or defects. The reality is that all properties could benefit from a water conditioning system, but some properties desperately need one if they are exhibiting signs of poor water quality, or hard water.

Continue below to learn why water softeners are so beneficial, including how to tell if your home could use one, whether as a replacement or new install.

Indianapolis Water Softener Service 317-784-1870
Dingy or Faded Laundry? Could Be Hard Water.

The Benefits of Water Softeners

Hard water is not something you want lurking through your plumbing pipes and water lines within your home. It contains dissolved minerals and metals that cause many damaging effects around the house and in your life, all of which can also cause you to spend more money than you should. When it comes to identifying a need for a water softener, simply do an inspection of your house, clothes, dishes, hair, energy bills, and water usage. If you see limescale buildup around faucets and plumbing fixtures, or you always have cloudy spots on your dishes, you have some degree of hard water. Furthermore, if your clothes do not seem to clean well, your soap doesn’t lather well, or your hair seems dingy and dull, you could have hard water.

Hard Water Signs Around the House

Take a look at all the areas of your life that can be negatively impacted by hard water in order to know what the signs of hard water look like:

Hair and Skin – Because hard water causes poor soap lather, your showers will suffer. Furthermore, it will cause shampoo residue buildup in your hair, resulting in a greasy feel and flat look, as well as itchy, dry, and irritated skin. For those with skin sensitivity issues or existing skin conditions, softer water will help mitigate flare ups and post-washing irritation.

Laundry – Not only will hard water cause laundry to fade faster and appear dingy, but it will also cause problems within your washing machine. Both plumbing pipes and water lines become caked with hard mineral despots, or limescale, which corrodes metal and decreases the appliances performance. A washing machine that is experiencing such stress will also be inefficient, which leads to higher utility bills.

Appliances – As just mentioned with your washing machine, hard water will cause limescale buildup within the plumbing pipes and water lines of your water-using appliances. This buildup can decrease appliance performance, which ultimately increases monthly energy and water bills. Appliances like dishwashers, ice-makers, water heaters, and water softeners, can all be affected by the dissolved minerals and metals in hard water.

Dishes – Hard water leaves a layer of mineral residue on everything it touches, including your plates, glassware, cups, dishes, and more. Have you seen spots on your glasses? Cloudy cups? These are tell-tale signs of hard water problems at home.

Get a Water Softener Sooner Than Later

If you do not have a water softener at all, know that it is one of the smartest investments you can make, for both your home and your finances. Water softeners abate all of the damaging effects of hard water, and will save money by protecting you against high energy bills, high water bills, water wastage, appliance breakdowns, appliance repairs, appliance replacements, hair products, skin products, and much more.

If you already have a water softener, but you have noticed signs of hard water around your home, it is time to think about an upgrade. Talk to a licensed master plumber who specializes in all things water softeners to learn your most cost-effective options. The sooner you upgrade or install a water softener, the faster you can begin to save money and protect your assets.

Indianapolis Indiana Water Softener Service, Sales, and Installation

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 if you need hard water removal, or if you need water softener repair, water softener service, or if you would like to buy a new, quality water softener in Indianapolis, Indiana. Master plumber Mark Weilhammer is happy to give you all the guidance you need on selecting a new water softener, or resolving current hard water issues. With more than 100 years in business, you can trust our Indianapolis plumbing company for superior service at the right price. Contact us to request a free estimate, service, or advice, anytime.

Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870