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What is a Water Softener and How Do I Know if I Need One?

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If you live in a home with a hard water supply, you may want to consider having a water softener installed. After all, there are many benefits to having a soft water supply. By understanding what a water softener is and how to determine if you need one, you can make the right decision for your household.

So What is a Water Softener?

Water softeners are plumbing appliances that connect to your home’s water supply and remove calcium and magnesium ions from your water before they reach your water heater. This can be done using a variety of techniques, but most standard water softeners utilize some form of salt to naturally remove these ions. The result is a soft water supply that contains significantly fewer minerals.

Benefits of a Water Softener

Having a soft water supply comes with a number of advantages. For starters, soft water is known to be better for your home’s pipes and plumbing appliances, since hard water can result in mineral build-up that can clog pipes and damage appliances like washing machines and dishwashers. In this sense, installing a water softener now could save you a lot of money in plumbing repairs/replacement down the road.

Soft water is also known to be beneficial to the hair and skin, since there are fewer minerals and other build-up that could potentially irritate your body. Many people with a soft water supply find that they have healthier skin and hair.

Do You Need a Water Softener?

The best way to find out whether or not you need a water softener is to have a sample of your home’s water supply tested for magnesium and calcium ion levels. If you have high levels of these ions, then a water softener will likely be beneficial to you and your household plumbing. Regardless of your water’s ion levels, a water softener is never a bad addition to your home.

To find out more about water softeners or to find out which type is best for your needs, feel free to contact us today!

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