What Kind of Water Softening System Do You Need?
Hard water can be a real problem for your clothes, plumbing and appliances. Particulates clog small pipes and turn clothing and hair strange colors. Some hard water smells or tastes bad. The way to correct these problems is to use a water softener, sometimes called a water conditioner.
Check Your Water
This may seem simple but checking your water is the first step. If you don’t know what kind of water you have, you will not be able to correct it properly. Some issues are surprisingly similar in their appearance but are caused by two completely different things. Sulpher and iron both stain orange but are filtered in different ways. You can also have other minerals in it like manganese, magnesium and calcium.
Your water can also be acidic or basic. This will eventually wear your clothing and pipes if you don’t correct it.
Decide Which System
Softeners have come a long way. In their early days, they were only salt filtration systems. Now systems use everything from magnetics to reverse osmosis. To find out which system is right for you, make sure you understand what that water softener is designed to remove.
There are specific conditioners for specific elements. For example, if your water is high in iron but little else, an iron filter is best. If your water contains a mix of elements, you might want something more complex, like a reverse osmosis water conditioner.
An acid neutralizing system is useful if you have acidic water but may not correct other water issues. Deciding on the right system can save you time and money in the long run.
Have One Installed
The installation of your system is extremely important. You want to make sure it is put in right. A water conditioner should filter water as it comes into your home. If it is put in a place that only services the kitchen, your clothes and your bathroom will be at risk.
A water softener can add value to your home. It can also drastically improve the smell and taste of your water. Make sure you choose the right one for you.