When water contains unusually high volumes of calcium and magnesium, it is commonly referred to as hard water. Hard water may contain elevated levels of iron as well. For many different reasons, hard water is generally considered undesirable. The solution is to remove the excess minerals with a device called a water softener.
Hard water can cause many problems around the average household as well as within certain industries. The most visible effect that hard water can cause is the appearance of a ring of dirt in bathtubs and sinks. This is caused by the presence of the extra minerals in the water which prevents soaps and cleaners from properly dissolving.
Another more dangerous problem is the build up of lime within the pipes and appliances that the hard water passes through. Lime scale build up can cause pipes to become clogged. It can also negatively affect water boilers by creating a layer of lime “insulation’ which hinders the transfer of heat into the water.
In order to remove the harmful calcium and magnesium ions from the water a water softener must be installed. This is a device which the hard water will pass through before moving into the Plumbing throughout the rest of the home.
There are a few different types of water softeners, but the most common varieties use ionic exchange to remove the minerals. This process employs a resin to exchange the calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. The softened water is far less damaging to plumbing and appliances.
Using a water softener, especially when the amounts of calcium and magnesium are exceptionally high, can have significant long term benefits. Pipes and plumbing will last longer and require far less maintenance, water boilers will function more efficiently, pots and pans used for cooking will not stain or rust as easily. There are even some reports that softened water is beneficial for people suffering from skin problems.
Installing a water softener can prevent many of the potentially damaging problems that hard water can cause to a home over time.
On the most part, most people do prefer one water softener over another. The brand of water softener you use depends on your water and if you want a whole home water softener system or just a faucet softener system.
The reason you choose a water softener will best allow you to chose a saltless softener or a traditional softener. If you are using a water softener to help your household plumbing stay clean and gunk-free, then you should choose a traditional softener. If your goal is to have softer feeling and tasting water then a saltless softener will work just fine for you. With this softener, you are not actually removing salt, just changing the electric charge of the water.
A water softener typically takes about 2 hours to recharge.
A water softener is necessary if you have hard water, which can cause scale buildup, damage appliances, and make cleaning harder. It helps protect your Plumbing and makes water feel better on skin and hair.
There are many places where one can purchase a Calgon Water Softener. One can purchase a Calgon Water Softener at popular on the web sources such as Walmart and Amazon.
To shut off a water softener, move the bypass valve to the bypass position so water skips the softener. You can also unplug the unit if needed. Check your model for exact steps.
A water softener loop diagram for a residential plumbing system shows how the water softener is connected to the main water supply. It typically includes a bypass valve, a water softener unit, and a drain line. The loop allows water to flow through the softener to remove minerals that cause hardness before entering the home's plumbing system.
The sodium in the salt reacts with the zeolite in the softener stripping it of the calcium when you regenerate the softener. When the softener is in service the calcium more readily replaces the sodium on the zeolite resin beads softening the water.
The bypass on a water softener is a valve that serves the purpose of allowing water from the main point of supply to flow into a house or building when the water softener is being serviced. It can also be used to allow some 'hard' water to be mixed with the softened water.
Water will thin out laundry softener.
Water softener changes the chemical values and proportions in water. Therefore, some people will differentiate a change in taste of water to be more salty. However, malfunctioning can produce higher level of salty water by the softener.
After adding salt to your water softener, you should check the salt level regularly and refill it as needed to ensure the softener functions properly and continues to remove minerals from the water effectively.