How Can You Improve the Quality of Your Drinking Water?
Although the water in North Carolina is deemed safe for human consumption, there are areas of this beautiful state where it is considered hard. A water-softer installation may be just the answer for homeowners with hard water. What is hard water?
Hard water has a high level of dissolved calcium and magnesium. And while it isn’t any danger for consumption, there are some annoying results of hard water that a water softener installation can overcome, such as:
- Mineral buildup on plumbing fixtures
- Detergents, shampoos, and soaps do not rinse
Why does this happen? Because water is a good solvent that easily collects impurities.
What are the cons of hard water?
Maybe you’re experiencing some of these things we’ve listed (probably all of them if you have one), but you can’t afford a water softener installation. What are the cons of long-term exposure to hard water? There are 6 negative effects when hard water is for a long period:
1. Scale Buildup
Your plumbing fixtures and appliances will have scale buildup from the hard water mineral deposits. The bath, shower, sinks, and tub fixtures and your coffeemaker and dishwasher will accumulate a buildup.
2. Dry Hair and Skin
Hard water has excessive calcium and magnesium, so the shampoo or soap does not rinse off when you bathe, shower, or wash your hair. This leaves your hair feeling slimy and your skin dry, and neither the shampoo nor soap has nourished your hair or skin, which can lead to brittle hair and chapped skin.
3. Clothes Faded
Hard water will strip the color from your clothes and even make your bedding, clothing, and towels feel rough and scratchy. A water softener installation can help you save on replacing bedding, clothing, and towels.
4. Bathtub, Shower, and Sinks Get Stained
Hard water leaves a mineral residue that will stain the bathtub, shower, and sink.
5. Plumbing Repairs
Not only are the minerals that you can see on appliances, dishes, and fading your clothes, but they also damage the pipes by corroding them on the inside, leading to broken pipes.
6. Water Bill Increases
As the buildup of calcium and magnesium accumulates inside the pipes, the water flow is decreased, making the plumbing work harder. As the water is forced through, it can cause the pipes to crack and start leaking.
Is a water softener installation a whole house system?
A water softener installation can be a whole-house filtration system, ideal where hard water results in damage and scaling throughout the home. However, if your entire home isn’t affected by hard water, you can have a smaller water softener installation in specific point areas of your home, like under the sink, at the washing machine, or at a shower/tub combination.
Can I do my water softener installation?
You can install your water softener, which will save you some money. Start by doing extensive research and asking for the opinions of people who have one installed already. The installation is fairly straightforward, and there are multitudes of videos online to walk you through the process.
However, having your water softener installation done by a professional will give you a guarantee on the work. In addition, water softener manufacturers may not honor their warranty if you do your installation.
How much does a water softener installation cost?
To have a water softener installation done professionally, you can expect to pay an additional $500 or more on top of the cost of the water softener device. Again, this is guaranteed; the water softener manufacturer will honor the warranty.
Can you drink softened water?
Softened water is safe to consume, but a salt-based water softener installed will increase sodium. Higher sodium has been related to several health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. People with these health issues should consider a water softener installation that isn’t salt-based.
How long do water softeners last?
A water softener can last up to 15 years with proper installation and maintenance. However, if your unit requires frequent repairs or becomes worn out, you may need to revisit your maintenance practices.
Before Adding Water: Ask If A Water Softener Installation Is Worthwhile?
This is a personal decision, but consider your home’s water hardness as a starting point. If it is at 7 GPG or higher, you could benefit from a water softener installation. If you’re concerned about dry hair, scratchy skin, appliance, and plumbing problems, consider a water softener installation, a whole-home setup, or a direct point system. You can call us at 828-552-5721 for a water softener installation in Hendersonville, Mills River, and Asheville, NC.