The average Big Bear homeowner has heard about water softeners in passing yet does not fully understand the numerous merits of this device. Water softeners do more than merely improve skin and hair texture. Water softeners also decrease the amount of scale that accumulates in bathtubs and sinks, reduce energy bills and improve garment longevity. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of adding a water softener to your home.
Water Softeners Extend the Lifespan of Pipes in Big Bear
Limescale gradually accumulates on pipes as time progresses. The presence of limescale wears down surfaces that are electrically conductive. As a result, pipes laden with limescale suffer a reduced lifespan. The last thing you want to do is pay through the nose to replace your home’s pipes. In fact, hard water also sabotages appliances to boot. Hard water is rife with minerals that become insoluble salts, commonly referred to as soap scum. Soap scum stearates compromise sinks and tubs.
Hard water can even compromise your coffee maker. Opt for a water softener and you will not have to scrub your coffee maker, sink, tub and other appliances to eliminate the built-up soap scum. Scrubbing should be avoided as the resulting scratches compromise appliance appearance and useful life.
Water Softener Makes Your Fabrics White, Bright and Soft
Though few know it, water softeners do improve fabric quality and appearance. Hard water’s minerals become trapped within fabrics, causing them to dull in color and become stiff to the touch. Soft water will keep your garments in tip-top shape, saving you that much more money through a reduced frequency of clothing purchases across the long haul.
After considering the different uses of water in your home, the plumber will advise you on some technical considerations before deciding on which water softener to install. Once they lower the iron level in your water, you will notice a general change in how your laundry turns out.
A Water Softener Will Reduce Your Energy Bill in Big Bear
Water softeners improve the operational efficiency of household appliances that require water to function. From dishwashers to coffee makers and beyond, softer water will prevent the buildup of limescale. The absence or reduction of limescale ensures there is no interference when water or heat are transmitted through your home’s pipes. The average water heater uses about 25% less energy across the course of a year if soft water is used as opposed to hard water. The little-known truth is a mere 1/16 inch buildup of scale in a pipe diminishes the transfer of energy by more than 10%.
You can reduce your water bills by installing a water softener. In addition to saving you such direct costs, it will also save you more costs indirectly in the long run. This is especially so when you consider how much you save on appliance repair, reduced soap quantity, and other little ways that hard water has been chipping away at your finances. You can read more here on how to reduce your energy bills in Big Bear.
Soft Water Even Saves You Money on Soap and Shampoo
Hard water makes it difficult to form a lather with soaps and shampoos. As a result, you have to use more products to achieve a clean result when washing your clothes, dishes, and hair. Multiply this cost across the number of people living in the home, and you will realize that you have been spending a lot of unnecessary money on cleaning supplies.
Instead, you should install a water softener in your home, and you will ultimately use less soap and shampoo. Most households that use a water softener enjoy a three-quarters reduction in shampoo use. The same goes for soaps, detergents, and other cleaning products.
Soft Water Improves Skin and Hair Health
If you have itchy or dry skin or hair, your home’s water is likely harder than it should be. Hard water leads to dry and itchy skin/hair due to magnesium salts and calcium. Even if you use twice as much soap and shampoo as you normally do, it will not improve your water softener.
The bottom line is hard water does not nourish your skin and hair as much as soft water. Hard water minerals delve into your skin and do not properly dissolve. The result is residue along the skin that irritates. Hard water blocks the pores on the skin, leading to inflammation and those dreaded blackheads. If your skin or hair is even slightly drier than desired, it is time to install a water softener. Otherwise, this problem will only worsen as time progresses.
Water Softeners Even Benefit Your Plants in Big Bear
Most homeowners have at least one or two plants on their property. Plants are highly sensitive to chlorine in the water. If you use tap water to hydrate your plants, the chlorine will compromise the greenery’s health unless the water is left to sit for 30 minutes before pouring. Use a water softener, and you won’t have to worry about exposing your plants to harmful chlorine.
Therefore, if you have a garden and not just two or three pot plants, you will save more time and energy when you have soft water. Soft water complements the sunlight well, and the ph balance will enable your plants to grow better.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
After exploring some reasons to install a water softener in your Big Bear Home ASAP, we will answer some frequently asked questions about water softeners.
What is a water softener?
A water softener is a water filtration system that removes calcium, magnesium, and other metal cations in hard water. The water softening system removes these particles and lets the softened water through to the plumbing system to make hard water soft.
To install a water softener, you need to do enough research. You should start by hiring an expert to measure the grain of hardness in your water. The result will determine whether you need to install a softener and which type you should use. As a safety precaution, you may notify your doctor – especially if you have a health condition.
What are the types of water softeners?
There are two major types of water softener that you need to know about. First is the ion exchange water softener and the salt-free water softener. Both are distinct, and you should research a bit on them before choosing the one to install in your home.
Ion exchange water softener uses a negative charge of resin beads to attract particles that make water hard. Then, it removes them from the water softener to soften them. However, this method is not friendly.
On the other hand, a salt-free water softener is more suitable for those who can’t consume much salt. It uses salt alternatives such as potassium chloride to soften water. This does not remove the heavy metals and particles that make water hard. What it does is prevent scale buildup in your appliances. In addition, it is slightly more environment-friendly than the other type of water softener.
What are the cons of a water softener?
We have spent the greater part of this post telling you the benefits of a water softener. However, it is not without its disadvantages. Notably, a water softener can corrode your pipes, and the corroded material will end up in your water, leading to an increase in lead and copper levels in your water.
You should consult your doctor before installing a softener. You should consult your doctor before installing a softener. The government is worried about the negative impact on the environment from salt use. The regeneration process also leads to water waste and harms water recycling.
How does a water softener system work?
The way a water softener works is fairly simple. First, the filtration system traps elements that make water hard such as calcium and magnesium, in a filter of resin beads. Next, these hard particles are substituted with sodium or potassium, later released as waste while the softened water goes into the plumbing system.
The system regenerates every few days to ensure that the resin beads are coated with sodium again and can displace calcium and magnesium later. Knowing how a water softener system works will help you better understand the water quality you use.
What size of a water softener is needed in Big Bear?
A lot of consultation goes into installing a water softener. One of the things to be considered is the size of the water softener to be installed. Also, as a homeowner, you need to let the technician doing the installation know about determinants such as the number of people living in the home and how much water they use in a day.
The technician will take this information to determine the size of the water softener to install. The process is fairly easy. They just have to multiply the gallons of water used in a day by the grains of hardness in your water. Sometimes, a plumber may advise you to get a slightly bigger water softener to reduce how often the softener has to regenerate.
Final Thoughts
We have discussed six reasons to install a water softener in your Big Bear Home ASAP in this post. The urgency has to deal with how much physical, social, and financial risk you put yourself by using hard water in your home. However, hiring professional plumbers such as Bear Valley Plumbing and Heating will help you navigate the process better.
Call Now To Speak With A Water Softener Installation Expert From Valley Plumbing & Heating Today
Our plumbing team is here to improve the quality of your home plumbing and minimize your monthly water bill. So give us a call at (909) 487-1322 to learn more about our plumbing and HVAC solutions. You can also explore other preferred ways to contact us from our website.
If you are looking for a Big Bear plumbing, heating & air conditioning contractor, please call (909) 584-4376 or complete our online request form.
Category: Water Softeners
