What is a Water Softener?

How does a Water Softener Work? 

• Hard water enters the mineral tank of the water softener and travels through a bed of resin beads. The calcium and magnesium minerals are attracted to the resin beads and are removed from the water, leaving your water freshly softened.

• The resin beads undergo a regeneration process to regain their negative charge and grab hold of the positively charged calcium and magnesium in the passing hard water.

• The Salt-filled Brine Tank is responsible for the regeneration of the resin beads.
  • During regeneration, a brine solution (salt and water) is flushed through the resin bed. The sodium ions in the brine solution replace the calcium and magnesium ions on the resin beads. The calcium and magnesium once coating the resin beads are then flushed out along with the excess brine solution.

• When regeneration is complete, the resin beads can proceed to extract calcium and magnesium from the entering water.

Benefits of a Water Softener? 

Longer Lasting & More Efficient Water Heater:

• Hard water can cause multiple issues within a water heater such as scum deposits, blockages, buildups, deterioration, and other internal problems that correlate to a less sufficient water heater. Water softening can reduce these water heater functionality issues and ensure a longer-lasting/more efficient water heater. 

Improved Skin Conditions:

• As mentioned before, the harness of water restricts washing/cleaning products from functioning at their full potential, thus leading to excessive use of washing products for a thorough cleaning. This excessive use of products can lead to dryness of skin or irritation. Additionally, clothes washed in hard water can result in scratchy feeling clothing or a buildup of soap scum, both leading to potential skin irritation. With softened water, not as much washing product is necessary for a good lather therefore dryness and irritation of the skin are diminished! 

Improved Hair Conditions:

• The harsh chemicals in hard water take responsibility for multiple hair issues such as rough feeling hair, residual limescale, tangle susceptibility, dryness of scalp, breakage, and hair loss. With softened water, damaging chemicals are removed from the water allowing a deep cleanse and the elimination of hair issues such as those listed above. 

Cleaning Benefits:

• Cleaning glasses and kitchenware with hard water leads to residual streaks and a loss of that crystal-clear sparkle. Water treated through a water softener provides a more thorough clean and maintains the pristine look of kitchenware. 

Cooking Benefits:

• Using soft water to cook presents multiple benefits such as less required cooking time, more flavorful food, and better vitamin content. 

Things to Consider:

• Maintenance: Salt-based water softeners require regular maintenance, including refilling the salt reservoir and periodic regeneration cycles.
• Sodium Content: Softened water contains elevated levels of sodium due to the ion exchange process. This may be a consideration for individuals on sodium-restricted diets.
• Environmental Impact: The discharge of brine solution during regeneration can impact wastewater systems and the environment if not managed properly.