Water Softeners
Water softeners are the most important investment in your home plumbing system second only to your water heater and water filtration. Hard water, left unchecked, is corrosive and will deteriorate and destroy valves, fixtures, O-rings, and any mechanical parts in the plumbing system.
Why Does Your Home Need A Softener?
Picture this.
You have just purchased a brand new washing machine. You’re excited (or, at least, not dreading) your next laundry day so you can get those clothes extra clean! Over the next few months however, you notice that you are getting a build-up on your clothes. The soap does not seem to work as well. You are furious because you had been told by the salesperson that this was a top-of-the-line washing machine.
Unfortunately, the problem may not be your appliances. Hard water – which affects a very high percentage of homes in the southeastern Pennsylvania – not only can cause the above appliance woes, but it will lead to expensive repairs, inefficiencies of your plumbing fixtures, and potential health issues.
The Costs of Hard Water
In our above washing machine scenario, many people would resort to using vinegar to try to clean out the calcium and magnesium deposits from their machine. And, while that can be a temporary resolution, the underlying problems go much deeper. Here are just a few issues that you may experience because of hard water:
- Damage to Water Heaters – Your water heater – what gives you those nice, warm showers in the winter – can have its life shortened by half due to hard water. At a minimum, it will be made far more inefficient due to mineral build up on the heating elements which will result in higher electricity or gas costs to your home’s monthly bill.
- Appliance Damage – Your appliances include your washing machine, dishwasher, ice maker, coffee maker, and other devices that make life easier. But when hard water gets involved, drain lines can get clogged, water feed lines will get clogged, and appliances won’t work as well. Easier quickly becomes aggravation.
- Unsightly Stains – Hard water leaves calcium and magnesium deposits on glass and metal. You’ll notice spotting on your faucets, rings around your toilet, and spotting on your glasses and dishes.
- Health Issues – The build-up of hard water deposits is not limited to your appliances. Your skin, hair, and drinking water will receive the same treatment. You may notice itchy skin and your hair being dingy and soap not lathering well. Even worse, your drinking water might be cloudy and possibly have a metallic or other poor taste. Not good when you want a cool drink on a hot summer’s day!
Solving the Problem
Water softeners are the key to improving any hard water situation. A softener system will give you smooth, clear water that will not damage your plumbing, appliances, and fixtures. It will immediately begin to pay for itself with an increase in the lifespan of your purchases and add years before needed maintenance. Softened water will leave your skin and hair softer, your towels and clothes will clean better with less soap, and your glassware will be shiny and sparkling.
Water softeners are big investment in your plumbing system, but the payoff of installing one is huge. Contact JW Plumbing today to schedule an installation of a water softener in your home!
