Water Softeners
The Best Solution for Hard Water is a Water Softener
A water softener is always the best solution for hard water issues around the house. Here in Southern California, we have very hard to severely hard water. A water softener, when sized correctly and maintained, will remove the calcium and magnesium from the water. These two elements are what cause the hard water deposits, spotting, reduce the efficiency and life span of all water-using appliances around the home. Simply put, if these elements are no longer in the water, hard water issues cannot occur.
You will never see anything other than a water softener in a restaurant, hotel or any other commercial business. They know the benefits of soft water, they also know no other water treatment process or device will give them soft water.
Water Softener Myth Buster Four Misconceptions About Water Softeners
Hate that Slick, Slimy Feel?
Professional water softeners of today do not produce that slick slimy feel that many consumers either love or hate. In fact, it is not uncommon for us to receive a call from a customer that recently had one of our softeners installed, saying that they don’t think the water is soft because it doesn’t have the same feel they remember. We will send them out a couple of water hardness test strips to make sure the water softener is working correctly and never hear from them again. Water was soft, just didn't have the feel that the old softening system produced.
Don’t Want to Deal with All of That Salt?
It wasn’t too long ago that water softeners for an average family of four would use 6-8 bags of salt a month. With today’s equipment, we will use about 1 bag of salt, which needless to say is a huge reduction in the amount of salt required to operate a softener. The salt container, or brine tank, will hold 6 bags or enough to operate the softener for about 6 months. Only requiring adding salt a couple of times a year.
Salt in the Water is Unhealthful
The salt (or sodium) is used to periodically clean the water softening media from the calcium and magnesium that has been removed from the water. All three elements are effectively then rinsed down the drain, the salt isn’t continually added to the water or left in the tank to go into the home. There is a negligible amount of sodium that will be released as the calcium and magnesium are attracted out of the water. This amount is generally less than the amount of naturally occurring sodium that we already have in our water supply. Using average Southern California hard water as a guide, 2 quarts of softened water will contain about 150 mgl of sodium. Other foods to compare: 1 tbsp of ketchup 178 mgl – 1 serving of the following - plain yogurt 159 mgl – chicken noodle soup 850 mgl – cheerios 284 mgl – green beans 354 mgl – (10) pretzels 1029 mgl. As you can see, the amount of sodium introduced is a negligible amount compared to the sodium we receive from other foods in our diet. Still not convinced? With our equipment, you can use potassium instead of salt to operate the water softener. Potassium is available at all home improvement stores, located in the same area as the water softener salt.
My City Doesn’t Allow Water Softeners
The only city in Southern California that we know of that has restrictions on water softeners is Santa Clarita. A water softener is presently the only way to effectively soften the water in your home. When correctly sized and maintained, it will provide many advantages throughout your home. Here are just a few:
- Cleaner Softer Laundry, Skin and Hair
- Spot Free Dishes, Silverware and Shower Doors
- Eliminates Mineral Deposits on Faucets, Fixtures and Pipes
- Cleaning made easier
- Great for Children and Adults with Sensitive Skin
- Save $$$on all Detergents, Soaps and Cleaning Supplies
- Extends the Life of all Water using Appliances…Dishwasher, Washing Machine, Tank & Tankless Hot Water Heaters, Coffee Makers etc.
