You may have a water softener in your home and not know how it works, or maybe you’re considering adding a water softener to your house. Regardless of your reason, you’re probably wondering about water softener salt, how a water softener works, and why they are beneficial. We’ll explore the basics of a water softener, as well as the benefits soft water passes on to you.
How a Water Softener Works
The main purpose of a water softener is to remove hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Removing these minerals effectively “softens” the water. A water softener does this with sodium, which it gets from salt.
- Hard minerals are removed through the ion exchange process. The positively charged minerals attach to negatively charged resin beads in the tank.
- The water that is distributed through your home will no longer contain hard minerals.
- Eventually, the resin beads will be filled with hard minerals. The water softener salt gets to work breaking down these hard minerals and flushing them from your water tank.
- Your water softener is ready to remove more hard minerals from incoming water.
Read More: Is Hard Water Responsible for the Clogged Pipes in My House?
What to Know About Water Softener Salt
So is there salt in the water you consume every day? It isn’t salt that makes it into your water, but sodium. In fact, the levels of sodium that make it into your water are so low the FDA categorizes soft water as having “very low sodium.”
3 Benefits of Soft Water
1. Softer Hair and Skin
Hard minerals lead to soap scum, which can be difficult to clean and can also strip away the natural oils on your body. Hair and skin can be itchy, irritated, and dry with hard water. Soft water retains moisture and provides cleaner, softer hair and skin.
2. Brighter Clothes
Similar to your skin, hard water can dry out your clothes. Not only will your clothes be more brittle to the touch, but the colors will fade more easily due to the hard minerals. Investing in a water softener enables you to use less detergent to get a better clean for brighter clothes.
Read More: Why Are Some Rooms Cold In My Home During the Winter Season?
3. Save Money
There are a few ways a water softener can save you money. Hard minerals can build up in your pipes, leading to expensive repairs. This buildup also results in more energy needed to utilize the water, resulting in higher utility bills. It can also impact the effectiveness of your appliances, leading to additional repairs. A water softener saves you these costly repairs, can lower your utility bill, and reduce the amount of soap and detergent you use since it provides a better clean.
Water Softener Repair Or Installation Services From WM Henderson
Keep the water in your home with a water treatment system and water softener salt. Our team of licensed plumbers offer exceptional water softener repair and installation services for homeowners in Pennsylvania. Whether you’re looking to repair a current water softener or install a water filtration system, our experts help you ensure the water in your home is of the highest standards.
In addition, our technicians offer other types of plumbing services such as sewer line replacement, water heater repair, gas line installation, and sump pump repair. With no surprise fees and upfront pricing, WM Henderson is the trusted name in the water treatment industry. Give our certified plumbers a call at (484) 206-8594 to discuss the benefits of installing a water softener in your home.