Many municipal water supplies, including Scottsdale, AZ, acquire their water from natural sources, such as lakes and aquifers, which tend to produce water with a high concentration of dissolved minerals. This is known as “hard water.”
Although this water is considered safe to drink, it can wreak havoc on plumbing, appliances, and even our skin and hair. In order to address this issue, many homeowners choose to add water softener solutions to their homes’ plumbing systems.
In this article, we will discuss how water softener solutions work, as well as how they can improve your home’s water quality.
Water Softener Solutions
Hard water is characterized by its high mineral content, primarily calcium and magnesium, and while these minerals are not harmful to our health, they can have negative effects on our daily lives. For example, when hard water flows through your plumbing system, it can leave behind mineral deposits that can clog pipes and reduce water flow.
Additionally, hard water can reduce the effectiveness of soaps and detergents, making them less effective for cleaning surfaces in your home, washing clothes, and even bathing.
What Do Water Softeners Do?
Water softeners are devices designed to mitigate the negative effects of hard water through a process of ion exchange. Water softener solutions are essentially tanks filled with beads that are charged with sodium ions. When the hard water enters the tank, the calcium and magnesium ions in the water are attracted to the beads, which results in an exchange of calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions.
How Do Water Softener Solutions Work?
Let’s take a look at how this ion exchange process works:
- First, the hard water flows into the water softener tank and comes into contact with beads charged with sodium ions.
- Because the calcium and magnesium ions in the hard water are strongly attracted to the beads, they will naturally begin to adhere to the beads’ surface. As the hard water ions attach, the beads are forced to release their sodium ions into the water.
- After the ion exchange, the water that flows from the water softener tank is considered softened because it is free of calcium and magnesium ions.
- Over time, the beads in the water softener tank will become saturated with calcium and magnesium ions. When this happens, the beads will need to be “recharged” by flushing the tank with a highly concentrated saltwater solution. The sodium ions in the saltwater solution will replace the calcium and magnesium ions on the beads, preparing them for additional cycles of ion exchange.
Why Are Water Softener Solutions Important?
This simple process of ion Exchange provides a wide range of benefits to property owners. Here are a few examples:
Prevent scale buildup – By removing calcium and magnesium ions from the hard water, water softeners prevent the formation of scale in pipes and appliances. Although scale is not considered to be dangerous for humans, it can significantly lessen the performance and lifespan of home appliances.
Improve soap performance – Softened water allows soap and detergent to lather more effectively, resulting in cleaner dishes, laundry, and a more refreshing bathing experience.
Reduce soap scum – With softened water, you’ll notice fewer soap scum deposits on bathroom surfaces, which makes cleaning much easier.
Enhance plumbing and appliances – Home appliances, such as water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, operate more efficiently when supplied with softened water. Additionally, softened water will flow more freely through your home’s plumbing system because it is not being restricted by the buildup of scale.
Soften Your Water With AZ Water Solutions
Here at AZ Water Solutions, we understand the common issues that homeowners face when dealing with hard water from their municipal water supply. If you want to reduce the buildup of scale in your plumbing and extend the lifespan of your home’s appliances, then AZ Water Solutions can help.
In addition to water softener solutions, we also specialize in providing and installing water heaters, filtration systems, reverse osmosis purifiers, and hot water recirculation pumps for residents of Scottsdale, Arizona, and the surrounding areas.
Click here to get in touch with AZ Water Solutions today!
You may also like
-
Commercial Roof Services and Replacements in Las Vegas
-
Understanding the Different Types of HVAC Systems
-
What To Look Out For When Shopping for Ground Protection Mats
-
Transform Your Home with a Tiled Conservatory Roof: The Ultimate Upgrade
-
What To Look for in a Roofing Company in Aurora Illinois: Key Factors for Homeowners