Homeowners often take for granted their home’s water system. Water is inevitably one of the best assets in your home. Whether you’re washing your laundry, cleaning dishes, taking a shower or just thirsty, having quality water in your home is something we honestly couldn’t live without.
The quality of your home’s water can be affected by a number of factors. However, one way you can ensure your home is running the best water is by installing a water softener. Water softeners help keep your water “soft” rather than “hard.” Hard water can cause many problems throughout your home. Here’s some information on water softener Omaha homeowners should know!
What does a water softener do?
A water softener is a whole-house filtration system that removes hardness-causing calcium and magnesium minerals from your home’s water through a process called ion-exchange. So why is the process important? Hard water has the potential of severely harming your home and your plumbing system. With hard water, your pipes will build off with scale, which can clog your pipes, decrease your water pressure and shorten the life-span of your appliances. By installing a whole-home water softener, you are able to help prevent these issues from occurring.
The components of a water softener
The most common type of water softener system for residential home’s is the ion-exchange system. The three components of an ion-exchange system include:
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Mineral Tank - this is where the water filtration takes place and where calcium and magnesium minerals are removed from your water
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Brine Tank - this is where high concentrates of sodium of salt and potassium are stored. The Brine Tank flushes and recharges the mineral tank and must be periodically replenished with salt or potassium pellets.
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Control Valve - This is the device used to the flow of water in and out of the other two tanks.
Usually, your water softener will be located near the point where your water supply enters your home. Your water softener will not treat the water you use for outdoor irrigation.
Signs you need a water softener
There are plenty of signs that will help indicate a water softener Omaha would be beneficial for your home.
Staining / Scale Buildup
Since hard water contains many minerals, it is prone to staining sinks, bathtubs, and toilets with scaly deposits. Usually, these deposits are found near your drains, although these stains will grow to other areas as well if not acted upon quickly.
Scale buildup is another consequence of having hard water. Usually, you will find scale buildup, or oftentimes called mineral deposits, on silverware and dinnerware. This problem can also lead to more scale buildup, including inside your appliances, which can cause additional problems and high repair costs.
Dry Skin or Hair
Another sign that you need a water softener is noticing dryness on your skin or hair. This is a result of minerals found in hard water which can make your skin flaky and your hair itchy. A water softener helps soap dissolve properly, and will help keep your personal hygiene healthy and beautiful.
Gray or faded laundry
Hard water makes soap much more difficult to dissolve, which in result can cause your laundry to become faded or develop a sour smell. A water softener will ensure you that your clothes are getting the quality wash they need!
As water softeners may not be the most thought about home system, it helps create better quality water in your home, and protects your home from potential damage. At ServiceOne, we offer services on water softener Omaha homeowners can rely on. To learn more about our home services, visit our website today!