Do you ever notice white, crusty buildup around your faucets and showerheads? Or maybe your clothes never seem to feel completely clean after a wash? If this happens in your household, hard water could be to blame. When water is considered “hard” it means that it contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can wreak havoc on your plumbing, appliances, and even your skin and hair.
But don’t worry, installing a water softener can transform your home’s water supply, providing a range of benefits and, most importantly, removing the effects of hard water that are stressing you out. Here are some of the benefits you can expect once you have a whole-home water softener in place.
Soft and Healthy Skin
Hard water can take a toll on your skin, making it feel dry and rough. When you have a water softener installed, most of those damaging minerals will be removed from the water, and your skin may feel and look better as a result. You may also end up saving money on moisturizer if you’re using it to cover up the effects of the hard water on your skin.
Soft and Shiny Hair
Dull, dry, brittle hair is another side effect of bathing in hard water on a regular basis. When you have damaged-looking hair it can affect your entire appearance, but when you have a good water softener, your hair will look soft and shiny again. Many people spend a lot of time and money on products designed to restore moisture to their hair. Adding a water softener can make a world of difference and just might eliminate the need for those expensive products.
Softer Clothing
If hard water affects your skin and hair, it stands to reason it will also affect your clothing after you do laundry. If you have white spots on your clothes, or they feel stiff and rigid after you do laundry, it could be because you have hard water. Changing detergent isn’t going to make much of a difference, but when you use an effective water softener, your clothes will be soft and feel great against your skin.
Better Tasting Water
Water that has excess minerals in it rarely tastes very good. People often become accustomed to the earthy taste, but when they drink soft water, they immediately notice the difference. If you avoid drinking your household water because of the taste, make a point of having a water softener installed, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Everyone knows that it’s important to drink more water, and when you feel comfortable turning on the tap and drinking it from your own water supply, it makes the process a whole lot easier. For even better water quality, consider adding a combination carbon filter & water softener. This removes excess minerals and most pollutants, chemicals, and other VOC’s.
Longer Lifespan for Pipes and Appliances
When you have hard water in your house, it can cause mineral buildup in your pipes and appliances. Eventually, this leads to clogs, leaks, and reduced efficiency. When you soften your water, you can help extend the lifespan of your pipes and appliances. The scale buildup alone in your pipes and appliances from hard water can reduce their lifespan and require you to get repairs and replacements much sooner.
Energy Savings
Would you believe that having softer water in your house can also save money on your electricity bill? The scale buildup mentioned above also happens in your hot water tank and the more build-up you have, the harder the tank has to work to provide you with the hot water you need. This makes it use more energy, increasing your monthly bills. When you have soft water, there will be little or no buildup, and there will be lower calcium levels in the water heater, which will reduce your bill and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.
It’s easy to see how having a water softener installed in your home can make a big difference in a variety of different areas. While hard water isn’t necessarily dangerous or harmful to your health, it does cause problems that affect your day-to-day routine. You can end up saving money on products that you don’t really need and have peace of mind knowing that your plumbing and appliances are running smoothly and aren’t being damaged by the water itself.
If you’re interested in learning more about how installing a water softener can benefit your life and you’re in the Columbia area, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at MasterTech Plumbing, Heating and Cooling today, and we will get the process started.
