About Hard Water and Water Softener Systems
Hard water is a common problem throughout Florida, and Clermont’s water is no exception. It’s the minerals in water, primarily calcium and magnesium, that give it the quality that we call “hardness.” It’s difficult to get soap to lather in hard water, and hard water dries out your hair and skin. You’ve probably also noticed the residue that it leaves on dishes and clothes.
But hard water affects appliances, fixtures, and pipes, too. Minerals can build up and shorten the lifespan of everything from your dishwasher to your showerhead to your sewer line. This limescale in your pipes also provides a convenient surface for catching food scraps, grease, hair, and other debris. Eventually, this leads to clogs.
Below are just a few of the benefits of installing a water softener.
- Improves water pressure
- Appliances operate more efficiently
- Reduces soap scum buildup
- Water looks, smells, and tastes better
One appliance in your home that hard water particularly affects is your water heater. Sediment builds up in your hot water storage tank, requiring frequent flushing. Without this flushing, mineral deposits can wear out your heating element. Sediment can also damage your temperature sensor, meaning that the water heater may overheat your water. Finally, the mineral deposits can corrode your tank over time, causing leaks.
If you have a tankless water heater, it’s not safe from the effects of hard water either. As with your other appliances, sediment can build up in there as well, reducing its efficiency.
It can be difficult to rinse with hard water. For instance, soap scum seems to build up everywhere. This includes your tub, your dishes, and your skin. In fact, hard water may leave behind a sticky or even slimy feeling. It’s not always easy on your other senses either.
With a water softener system, water passes first through a tank that contains sodium beads. These beads attract the minerals in the water. Those minerals remain on the resin beads as the softened water flows through the rest of the system.
Our Clermont water treatment experts will show you everything that you need to know about your water softener, including how to perform any necessary maintenance.