Hard water may not look any different, but it can cause many problems that can negatively affect your hair, skin, plumbing, fixtures, and appliances. Thankfully, you can resolve your hard water woes with help from the experts at Avid Plumbing.
Our water softener services will restore balance, taste, and clarity to your water with options to suit every type of home and budget.
Call (608) 661-2843 today to learn more, or contact us online to request an estimate or schedule services in the Madison area.
Signs You Need a Water Softener
Whether your water issues are subtle or overt, it’s important to identify the source of the problem to find the right solution. Before you start any type of treatment plan, our skilled technicians will analyze your water to determine if there is high mineral content or another issue.
But if you notice the following signs, hard water is the likely culprit.
- An accumulation of scale on faucets or appliances.
- Laundry is gray, dingy, faded, or rough to the touch.
- Skin and hair are dry.
- Buildup of soap scum on shower doors, walls, and around the bathtub.
- Sinks and bathtubs are stained.
- Glassware is brittle and/or spotty.
What Is Hard Water?
The term “hard water” comes from the difficulties associated with cleaning the scale, stains, and residue left behind in homes where hard water is present.
What makes it different from regular water is its high mineral content, which includes elevated levels of calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals that dissolve in the water. The greater the concentration, the harder the water becomes, and the more problems it can cause.
How Water Softeners Work
Water softeners enhance your water by extracting minerals such as calcium and magnesium and replacing them with a gentler alternative such as sodium or potassium, through a process called ion exchange.
As the hard water enters the tank, it’s carried through a sea of spherical plastic beads, typically made from polystyrene, which are charged with a sodium ion. The beads are anions, which have a negative charge, while the calcium and magnesium ions are cations, which have a positive charge.
Since opposite charges attract, the negatively charged minerals are attracted to the positively charged resin beads. The calcium and magnesium cling to the beads and trade places with the sodium ions, which turn the water from hard to soft and are carried off by the water to various parts of your home.
Eventually, the resin beads run out of sodium for the ion exchange, and the process comes to a halt. A water softener is engineered to rejuvenate itself overnight with the help of the brine tank, which holds a highly concentrated solution of salt or potassium to restore the positive charge to the resin beads.
As the brine washes over the depleted beads, the calcium and magnesium deposits are carried off down the drain, and the softener is once again ready to treat the water.
Call (608) 661-2843 today to schedule an appointment, or contact us online to learn more about our water softening services in Madison, WI.
Schedule Water Softener Services in Madison, WI
The experienced, skilled professionals at Avid Plumbing provide homes and businesses throughout the Madison area with fast, reliable service at competitive prices.
Whether you’re looking to install a new water softener or you need to repair or replace your old water softening system, we can help.
Call (608) 661-2843 or contact us online to learn more about water softening.
FAQs About Water Softener Services
Can water softening systems be repaired?
Many water softener problems can be repaired, but if the system is 10 years or older, you may want to invest in a new one instead of a repair. Minor problems can often be repaired to save homeowners money.
When should you soften water?
Many communities have water with minerals, which can clog pipes, prevent soap from dissolving, and make skin dry and itchy. If you’re noticing signs and symptoms of hard water, you should consider softening the water to protect your plumbing, clothing, dishes, and skin.
How do you choose the right water softening system?
Your family’s average water use determines what size water softener system you need. The average person uses 80 gallons of water each day. Multiply that by the number of people in your home, then by the grains of hardness in your water. This will tell you the size of the water softening system you need.
How do I make sure I’m using my water softener correctly?
You can easily test your water softener’s function using soap. If soap lathers up and bubbles, then your softener is working correctly. Hard water keeps soap from lathering well.
What are the health effects of home water softening?
Home water softening makes water less drying and irritating to the skin. It also allows soap to lather better, so people get cleaner when they wash. However, water softening removes calcium, iron, and magnesium from water, so you may need to consume more of these elements in your diet.
What are the pros and cons of installing a water softener?
Some pros of a water softener include:
- No hard water stains
- Healthier skin and hair
- Brighter fabrics
- Protection for household appliances
- Less water use
Some cons include:
- Can change the taste of water
- Health risks for people on low-sodium diets