You may have heard the terms “hard” and “soft” water, but what do they really mean? Water hardness simply refers to the amount of dissolved magnesium and calcium contained in the water. The term “hard” originates from the idea that the more magnesium and calcium in the water, the harder it is to wash with.
What Does Hard Water do?
Think about all the different ways you use water in your home: washing, rinsing, flushing, bathing, drinking, and so on. Hard water can have major effects on your appliances, hair, skin, and nails due to the high percentage of mineral deposits. You may have noticed that your drinking glasses start to look a little more grimy than clear after a while. As water increases in temperature, it solidifies the calcium and magnesium which creates a build-up, or scaling.
While the excess calcium and magnesium are not harmful to your health, they can cause costly damages to your home’s appliances and internal plumbing. As the scaling builds up on the insides of your pipes the water pressure in your home will start to decrease over time. As stated earlier, hard water is trickier to clean with, which increases the amount of soap and time required.
How Does a Water Softener Work?
The process of softening water includes a regeneration cycle called ion exchange. The water softener contains resin beads that hold a negative charge. The negative charge of the beads attracts the positively charged ions contained in minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and iron. This process exchanges the minerals and regenerates the ions, ultimately removing ions that hold a positive charge.
Do I need a water softener repaired/installed?
If you suspect your home water system may need a water softener repair, or a water softener installed, then ask yourself the following questions:
- Does my dishwasher leave streaks or a film on my dishes?
- Is my skin and hair constantly itchy or dry?
- Are my clothes looking dull?
- Is my water bill continuously rising along with plumbing repairs?
- Is my water pressure decreasing?
- Are there soap scum stains or buildup on my appliances (like tubs, faucets, and toilets)?
- Are there brown or reddish stains on my porcelain toilet bowls?
- Does my water taste funny?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then it may be time to give Modern PHE a call! We can help determine if your home is in need of a water softener or repair, and suggest which system is best for you.
