What is a wATER SOFTENER?

To explain what a water softener does, we have to first explain what “hard” water is. The “hardness” of water is measured by the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. These minerals come from rocks that all freshwater touches as it makes its way to your home. These minerals are good for you, but there is too high of a concentration, they stick to things like your dishes, your appliances, and your skin and hair. The higher the levels of these minerals are, the “harder” the water is. You may have felt the effects of hard water, literally, the last time you washed your hands.

The most common cause of hard water in Idaho is from dissolved rock. It is most easily identified as the white crusty residue found on glasses and your faucets. Some homes also have dissolved metals, like iron. These are easily identified as orange or brown stains on your sinks and shower curtains.

Too much calcium, magnesium, or iron in your water are not typically considered a health hazard. However, these minerals can be a nuisance. Hard water may have an unpleasant taste. The minerals in hard water may also interfere with the effectiveness of your soaps and detergents or leave visible deposits behind on your fixtures. Over time, these minerals can also build up inside your pipes or plumbing fixtures. If the build-up gets severe enough, your overall plumbing efficiency will be negatively impacted.

To cure that a water softener is a filtration system that helps reduce the amounts of minerals in your water that can lead to long-term problems in your plumbing.

HOW DOES A WATER SOFTENER WORK?

It’s a common misconception that the salt in a water softener is what removes excess minerals. There are thousands of small resin beads inside the tank of a water softener that trap minerals in a process of chemical exchange called electrostatic ion exchange. It is not the salt or the resin beads alone that catch the minerals, but both of them together. Salt does play an important role in keeping things running smoothly by “recharging” the resin beads.

Here’s how a standard water softener operates.

1. Hard water is drawn up into your home’s water softener. This water may be from a well, a main water pipe, or some other water source.

2. The thousands of small resin beads inside the softener attract and “hold” the minerals, removing them from your water supply.

3. The removed minerals go down the drain through a flushing process.

3. Softened water then flows out from the tank into the other plumbing around your home.

HOW DOES A WATER SOFTENER RECHARGE?

During a water softening cycle, sodium resting on the resin beads is exchanged with the other minerals in hard water. This process traps hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium in the beads. Eventually, the resin beads need to be rinsed and “recharged.” This process of rinsing and recharging is called the water softener regeneration cycle. It’s the reason why people add salt to their water softeners.

A water softener is a filtration system that helps reduce the amounts of minerals in your water that can lead to long-term problems in your plumbing.

Here’s how a standard water softener recharges.

1. A strong salt-water solution is made by adding salt to the softener. The “brine” then flows through the tank of resin beads, rinsing them and exchanging sodium for the hard water minerals once more.

2. The brine is flushed out of the tank and down a nearby drain.

3. Afterward, the resin beads are once again ready to trap hard water minerals! It takes about two hours for a water softener regeneration cycle. It is recommended that you do not use water during this time to prevent hard water deposits from forming inside the tank.

It takes about two hours for a water softener regeneration cycle. It is recommended that you do not use water during this time to prevent hard water deposits from forming inside the tank.

Save 35% or more versus local competition! The minerals in your water can have adverse effects on your pipes, plumbing fixtures, and household appliances. First Choice Water and Plumbing in Twin Falls performs water softener installation services as well as routine water softener maintenance. You can rest easy knowing your machines can keep doing the jobs they were meant to do!

If you are experiencing hard water spots, heavy metal staining, or poor-tasting water a water softening system is the cure for those issues and to improve the health of your family and extend the life of your plumbing and appliances.

Call now to find out more.