Water softeners are the answer to your hard water problems. Hard water, which is water that contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, is very damaging to many aspects of your home, from your plumbing system to your kitchen appliances. This is due to the fact that mineral deposits build up in your pipes and appliances and goes on to cause clogs. Water softeners work by replacing the excess calcium and magnesium ions in the water with other ions, primarily sodium or potassium ions, and offer many benefits:

  1. They Prolong Your Plumbing System, Water Heater and Appliances

    As you saw above, hard water builds up in your pipes, water heater and appliances (like your washing machine), shortens their lifespan and decreases their efficiency. Water softeners, which can last around twenty years, prevent hard water from damaging these important elements of your home and causing costly repairs.

  2. Massive Savings

    Hard water not only damages your home’s plumbing system and leads to repairs, but can also cause your water bill to spike. This is because hard water takes a lot longer to heat than soft water. Soft water, however, can be heated up much faster, improving efficiency, reducing energy and lowering utility costs. Water softeners keep your monthly water bill low. In fact, The Water Quality Association found that a water softener can save the average homeowner nearly $1000 every year. Water softeners also reduce the amount of soaps and detergents needed for cleaning purposes, leading to even more savings.

  3. Cleaning Benefits

    Hard water can make it difficult for soaps to dissolve in water. As such, soap scum, water marks and white spots are often left behind on dishes and clothes. Clothes can also be left feeling hard and gray-looking. Water softeners help to reduce this residue more thoroughly, eliminating streaky residue and white spots, leaving both your dishes and clothes a lot cleaner.

  4. Health Benefits

    Hard water can result in dry, scratchy skin and crunchy-feeling hair due to soap scum, so water softeners can improve the look and feel of the skin and hair as a result.

  5. Good for the Environment

    When appliances’ lifespans are extended, less waste, raw materials and energy are produced and used in the process, all of which have a great impact on the environment.

Here are some signs you may need a water softener.

If you are looking for a water softener, Imagine Plumbing is among Alberta’s premier professional plumbers and offers premium water softener installation, maintenance and repair. Contact us today for more information.