Should You Get A Water Softener For Your Home?

To fully understand the benefits of water softeners, you must first understand the damage that can be caused by hard water. Not only can it destroy your appliances and fixtures, but it can also hurt you from a physical aspect.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is caused mainly by deposits of chalk and limestone that are composed of magnesium and calcium carbonates. You might notice a mineral deposit or limescale on water heaters, drains, and pipes as well as a lack of suds when you use your washing machine. You might also see spots on the glassware when you take it out of the dishwasher.

Health Risks with Hard Water

Risks have been correlated with drinking water because of the calcium and magnesium deposits. Drinking water can add to the problem and cause risk factors for growth retardation, cardiovascular disease, reproductive failure, and other issues. The renal tubule is also influenced by the acidity of the water.

Benefits of a Water Softener

Save the Appliances: Using a water softener can save your pipes and fixtures as well as the appliances. Your appliances will last much longer without the additional elements caused by hard water. The pipes can become clogged with the mineral scales produced by it and can restrict the water supply.

More Economical: For example, you can reduce the energy cost of hot water heaters by 22% to 29% because the unit won't have to work through the layers of scale buildup. Imagine how much cleaner and smoother your skin and hair will be without those chemicals. You can save as much as 75% on products used for hygiene including shampoos and soap products. Think of the other products you can save without hard water. Some of those include household cleaners such as dish liquid and clothes detergent.

More Eco-friendly:  With the extra amount of products used without a water softener, you can eliminate the amount of contaminants that go down the drain and have an effect on the environment. The carbon footprint was put to the test based over a fifteen year time period with the use of a gas storage tank water heater. There was an 18% increase of the footprint when the unit operated on 26 grain per gallon (gpg) hard water compared to 0 gpg for softened water.

Now you can see some of the huge benefits provided by a water softener in your home. Are the health risk factors enough to make you want to purchase one? It is an expensive investment, but your family is worth it. For more information, contact a water softener installation expert.