Water is essential to life on earth. It nourishes, promotes good health, and serves as a means of bringing us together. Humans, however, have learned to harness the power of water to improve our quality of life even further. It helps to clean our clothes, rid our waste, and helps power our lives. But there's a catch. As the water we so heavily depend on is extracted from the earth, it can bring along minerals that can damage the very things we depend on.
What is hard water?
Hard water is water infused with minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Water that resides within the earth picks up these tiny minerals from the surrounding rock. These minerals travel with the water up through pipes, coming to rest upon their walls. Limescale is the accumulation of mineral buildup around pipes, otherwise known as scaling. Left untreated, this scaling will continue to build layer upon layer, constricting plumbing and degrading any appliance that utilizes water. The damage does not stop there. Hard water leaves residue on everything it touches. It can be seen around the showers, sinks, and toilets, and even stains clothing during washing.
Effects of hard water on homes and businesses.
Scaling occurs exponentially around heating elements in our appliances. In homes, deposits gather in dishwashers, cooking pots and pans, washing machines, water heaters, and other household appliances that use heat. In businesses, boilers can be affected as well as other plumbing devices. If left untreated, limescale buildup will constrict the flow of water through pipes, dropping not only water pressure but also water quality. Eventually, untreated pipes will either need to undergo costly repairs or be replaced.
What is a water softener?
A water softener is a device that removes minerals from water. Outside water is pumped through the main apparatus, which contains technology such as ion-exchanging materials. As the water passes through the main tank, water is stripped of minerals and then exits into our home as "soft water." Depending on the technology you choose to soften your water, the cost of the system is modestly priced. Compared to the cost of fixing appliances due to hard water damage, a water softener system will certainly prove to be cost-effective.
The necessity of having water softeners in your home or business.
Water softeners are a necessity if you live or have a business in an area known to have hard water. Chances are, you have seen many of these systems of different configurations in use when you visit a friend or neighbor. Many options are available on the market today in terms of systems that will fit your budget. Investing in a system could potentially save thousands in the future.
Hard water does not need to be a cause for concern if addressed in a timely manner. By installing a water softener, you are providing a layer of security to the integrity of your plumbing and appliances. Not only will you save money on costly repairs, but the time spent dealing with limescale around toilets, drains, sinks, and other areas will offer relief from countless hours of scrubbing with volatile chemicals throughout the year.
