Benefits of Water Conditioning Systems

Living in the desert presents some unique challenges when it comes to our water supply.  Water in Arizona contains large amounts hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium, resulting in water that is two to three times harder than water in other parts of the country.  Hard water is a problem for a number of reasons, but mostly because it is “hard” on appliances, systems, our bodies and our wallets.  The minerals found in hard water can form a build-up that causes problems in water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers, humidifiers and the plumbing throughout your home.

Hard water also reduces the effectiveness of detergents and other cleaning products.  You spend more money on these products because you’ve got to use more to get the job done.  Hard water can also leave residue and soap scum behind when you are cleaning.  It can also etch glassware and result in spots and streaks, as well as shortening the life of your clothing when washed in hard water.  Additionally, hard water is hard on our skin and hair as it doesn’t rinse as cleanly and can be harsh and drying.

The solution to the hard water problem is to use a water conditioning system that removes the hard minerals from your water system.  These systems filter the water supply through a resin softening medium.  Salt is used to revitalize the system periodically, so a continuous supply of soft, conditioned water is available in your home.

Water Softener Basics

Water softeners can be a mysterious concept to homeowners who are new to the area. In many parts of the country hard water isn’t an issue, but in Arizona it’s necessary to remove calcium and magnesium from our water to protect plumbing and heating systems, appliances, plumbing fixtures and even dishes and glassware. Hard water deposits lime scale and can leave water spots or a white residue behind on everything from your sink and vanity top to your finest dishes. It can make detergents and soaps less effective as well.

A water softener is a system that exchanges the “hard” minerals such as calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium. This happens in the mineral tank, where the household water is run over plastic beads which are covered in sodium ions. The sodium ions are swapped with the undesirable mineral ions. When there are no more sodium ions left, the beads must be regenerated, so they are flushed with a strong brine solution that is made from keeping your water softener stocked with salt. This removes all of the stored calcium and magnesium ions and replenishes the beads with sodium ions.

Water softener systems are low-maintenance, in that you really just need to check your softener to make sure the salt level doesn’t get too low. If it drops below one-third, refill with the recommended salt pellets to the fill line. If you notice a large amount of salt residue, you may need to have your unit checked out or cleaned by a professional.

There are quite a few options for installing or upgrading your water softener, from all-in-one units to those with multiple tanks and some systems that also remove bacteria, pesticides and other harmful chemicals.