Should I Buy a Water Softener?

Many people living with hard water struggle with deposits on their fixtures, sinks, bathtubs and appliances. You spend a lot more time scrubbing to remove the deposits, and you have not even looked at the potential damage to your appliances. It may make you wonder if a water softener is right for your home. With this guide, you will be able to make an educated decision.

What is Hard Water?

The water that comes into your home is drawn from the ground. As it passes underground, from a spring, well or from city pipes, it picks up a number of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium and others. Water that contains a certain amount of these minerals is classified as “hard water.” Most of the country is susceptible to hard water, including homes in Sacramento.

Is Hard Water Dangerous?

Having minerals in your water could actually be a boon for your health, if your diet lacks these nutrients. What hard water does for your fixtures and appliances is another matter entirely. What happens when the water evaporates? Minerals do not evaporate, and they are left on the sides of your bathtub, on your shower faucet and in other places. Over time, these deposits can accumulate and force you to perform extra maintenance to keep your faucets from getting clogged. The most complicated and expensive risk relates to your water-using appliances. Over the years, your dishwasher, clothes washer and water heater will collect these deposits. If you do not have your water heater cleaned once a year, your Sacramento plumber may open it up to discover that it is partially full of sediment from hard water. Without this extra attention to maintenance, hard water often forces you to replace these appliances sooner than you might otherwise.

Do I Need a Water Softener?

A water softener will solve most of these problems pretty handily. After installing a water softener, you could notice that your soaps and detergents lather more readily, and that your skin feels less dry from the reduced mineral content of the water. Whether or not you need a water softener depends entirely on the way you view these concerns. If the idea of adding extra cleaning and maintenance for your appliances is not a big hassle in your mind, you may be fine with hard water. When you do not want to deal with the additional work, a water softener may be the best choice. Water softeners are an investment, and they often change the taste of the water coming through your taps. Be sure to ask your plumber in Sacramento, CA about the limitations on water softeners for your home.

Water softeners can decrease the damage posed to your fixtures and appliances from hard water deposits. However, it is a cost that you should weigh out carefully before making a purchase. For more information about hard water and its effect on your home, contact the experts at Ace Plumbing.