Water is used for everything from cooking and cleaning to bathing and drinking. Because of this, one of the most important things for a homeowner to consider is their water quality. Unfortunately, hard water is a common problem that can cause all sorts of damaging issues in the home. That’s where water softeners come in. Water softeners are devices that remove minerals from hard water, making it easier on your pipes and appliances. If you’re concerned about water quality, read on to learn the 10 top benefits of water softeners.
1. Extends the Life of Your Plumbing System
While the plumbing in your home is designed to last for many years, hard water can shorten its lifespan. Hard water contains high levels of mineral deposits, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can build up in your pipes and fixtures, causing havoc on your plumbing. They can cause corrosion, clogs, and leaks, leading to costly repairs and replacements.
A water softener can maximize the life of your plumbing system by removing these minerals from the water so that they can’t build up and cause damage. In addition, a water softener can also improve the efficiency of your current plumbing system by preventing mineral deposits from forming. As a result, it’s worth investing in a water softener if you want to protect your plumbing system.
2. Improves the Taste of Your Drinking Water
The high mineral levels in hard water can give your drinking water a bitter or metallic taste. Water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove these minerals from the water. The ion exchange process involves trading the magnesium and calcium ions in the water for sodium ions. This results in softer water that has a more appealing taste. Additionally, soft water is often considered healthier for cooking and consumption, as it is less likely to contain harmful contaminants.
3. Healthier Skin and Hair
Hard water can wreak havoc on your skin and hair, causing dryness, itchiness, and irritation. The high mineral content of hard water can strip away natural oils, leaving your skin feeling tight and dry. In addition, hard water can cause scalp build-up, which can lead to an itchy head and dandruff. In some cases, these uncomfortable issues turn into medical diagnoses, such as eczema.
Fortunately, water softeners can help to mitigate these problems. By removing the minerals from your water supply, softeners can help to restore your skin and hair to their natural state of health and hydration. As a result, you may find that your skin is softer and your hair is shinier.
4. Enhances Spotless, Cleaner Dishes
Water that is high in minerals can leave behind spots and streaks on dishes, glasses, and silverware. This occurs because the minerals in the water bind to the surfaces, creating a film that is difficult to remove. A water softener removes these minerals from the water, preventing them from binding to the dish in the first place. As a result, your dishes will come out of the dishwasher looking clean and streak-free. If you’re tired of dealing with spotted and streaked dishes, consider investing in a water softener.
5. Improves Efficiency of Water-Using Appliances
The minerals in hard water can build up on the interior of appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, making them work less efficiently and eventually requiring repair or replacement. Water softeners can help prolong the life of these appliances by preventing this build-up from occurring.
6. Less Detergent and Soap Used
Water softeners play a significant role in reducing the amount of soap and detergent used within a household. The high mineral levels in hard water can interact with soap to form scum. This scum is difficult to remove and can cause laundry to appear dingy. By contrast, soft water forms a much thinner film of suds that rinse away easily, resulting in bright and clean laundry. In addition, soft water requires less soap or detergent to achieve the same level of cleaning power, making it more economical to use. As a result, water softeners can help reduce the amount of detergent pollution entering our waterways.
7. Prolongs the Life of Your Hot Water Heater
Water heaters heat your water and store it in a tank so it is ready to use when you need it. Over time, the tank can begin to fill up with sediment. This sediment can come from many sources, including minerals in the water itself. As the sediment builds up, it insulates the heating element and reduces its efficiency. As a result, your hot water heater will have to work harder to heat the water, which can shorten its lifespan and lead to a premature replacement.
8. Allows Your Hot Water Heater to Warm Up Faster
When minerals from hard water accumulate inside a hot water tank and insulate the heating element, you’ll notice a decrease in your hot water heater’s performance within your home. It will take longer to achieve the desired water temperature from your home’s faucets. A softened water supply will prevent this sediment and allow your hot water heater to warm up faster, so you can enjoy hot showers and baths on demand.
9. Saves Money
While the quality of your water is important for many reasons, one often-overlooked benefit is the impact it has on your wallet. Hard water can cause multiple problems in your home. For one, it can make doing laundry more difficult and costly, as the minerals can build up on clothing and make them harder to clean. It can also lead to clogged pipes and fixtures, and it can make your appliances operate less efficiently.
In contrast, soft water contains few or no minerals and is much easier on both your clothes and your plumbing. As a result, using soft water can save you money in the long run by reducing wear and tear on your clothes, appliances, and major home systems. In addition, it can help you avoid costly repairs down the road.
10. Enhances Streak-Free Car Washes
Hard water can leave spots and streaks on cars after they dry, but soft water won’t do this. Soft water creates less friction when the towel or chamois is smoothed over the car’s surface, so there is a lower chance of streaks being left behind. In addition, soft water dissolves soap more easily and rinses away cleaner, so there is less chance of soap residue remaining on your car.
Contact Professionals Today!
Are you concerned about the quality of your water? Are you tired of dealing with hard water and clogged pipes? Cooper’s Water can help. We offer a full range of water quality and plumbing services, including water filtration, water softening, and plumbing repairs. Our dedicated team has been in the water quality and plumbing services industry for more than 40 years, so you can rest assured that we’re experts in our field. We proudly serve Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. Call Cooper’s Water today to schedule a consultation, and let us help you improve your water quality!
