Whether your house has water that’s too hard, creating scale and plugging hoses, or just not soft enough, you’ve probably wondered whether or not a water softener is a right choice for your residence. At Paul The Plumber, we understand water softeners and can help you decide whether they’re the right choice for you and your home. We’re your reliable plumbers for the Manchester, NH area and also offer water softener repair and maintenance service, making soft and high-quality water easier than ever!
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What Are Water Softeners?
Water softeners are an appliance that works to remove and eliminate hard minerals from your water, which makes your water “soft.” Hard water can damage your plumbing and even negatively affect your hair and skin, so soft water can be important in your home. Water softeners use a process called ion exchange to remove the minerals (like calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium) that cause hard water and replaces them with sodium ions.
To break it down further, a water softener has two tanks, one with resin beads that are sealed, and one that the homeowner adds salt to. The resin beads attract the ions of the hard minerals, keeping them out of your water. But at some point, they will max out on how much they can attract. The water and salt mixture in the other tank then flushes and cleanses the resin beads so they can return to attracting the hard minerals once more.
Homeowners with water softeners must add salt to their salt tank whenever it drops past a certain point, so the saltwater can continue to clean the resin beads. How much salt all depends on how much water your residence typically uses. And water softeners need to be cleaned at least once a year and serviced by professionals on a consistent basis to keep them working at their best.
Signs You Have Hard Water
Not all homes may need water softeners, it really depends on the type of water that is running through your plumbing system and our taps. There are some signs, though, that indicate your home may have hard water and could benefit from a whole home water softener. Some of these signs include:
- Faded Clothing: Clothes come out of the washer substantially faded, regardless of your choice of detergent, may be due to hard water.
- Slow Flowing Taps: If you notice that your water runs slowly from your showerheads or taps, it could be due to mineral buildup from hard water.
- Spotty Glassware: If you wash your glassware but find white spots or residue afterward, that could also be a sign of hard water.
- Dry Skin: If you find you need to constantly lotion your skin because it’s drier or itchy, it might be hard water stripping it of its moisture.
These are some of the more common signs you may have hard water at your Manchester, NH home. You can also try the “bottle test.” Fill a plastic bottle with tap water, then shake it vigorously before emptying the bottle. Fill the bottle once more and add a few drops of soap. Shake the bottle again and study the suds. If the bottle is full of suds, you probably don't have hard water, but if there are hardly any suds at all, it may be time to contact a pro for a water softener installation.
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Call for Professional Water Softener Installation
If you’re considering adding a water softener to your home, make sure you contact a professional. An expert can help you choose the right softener for your needs and educate you on how to use it. And having an expert that you can trust means they’ll be on call if you have problems or questions about your water softener.
At Paul The Plumber, we’re your water softener service company for the Manchester, NH area. Our Residential Service Specialists will be there to install, repair, or replace your water softener while making sure to leave your house as clean as it was when we arrived.