In This Buyer’s Guide:
Why should you buy a water softener?
Hard water is a common issue that many homeowners and business owners run into. When you have hard water, this means that you have a surplus of calcium and magnesium in your water supply. The oversupply of minerals can affect the taste, smell, and look of your water.
How do you know if you have hard water?
If you have noticed stains in your sinks or toilets, if your hair or skin feels filmy after bathing, or if your clothes don’t feel clean after you wash them. When left untreated, hard water can damage your water-using appliances and end up costing you a lot of money in the long run. If you suspect that you have a hard water problem, a water softener is an ideal solution.
Which contaminants do water softeners remove?
A water softener will remove calcium and magnesium in your water through a process called ion exchange.
How to install a water softener system
Water softener installation does require plumbing knowledge, so it is recommended that you hire a professional to have a water softener installed. If you choose to install your new water softener yourself, consult the system’s owner’s manual.
Which water softener system is right for you?
To select the best water softener for your specific needs, you’ll need to consider the type of water softener you need, what your use will be, and what size you will need.
The most common type of water softener system is salt-based.
Salt-based water softener systems use water softener salt also known as resin. Because of this, they require frequent maintenance.
Water conditioners soften water using potassium chloride. This salt-free water softener is often more expensive.
You will also want to think about how much water you use in your home or business when considering investing in a water softener.
When it comes to figuring out what size water softener you need, you will need to estimate how many gallons of water are used per day. You’ll want to make sure that the water softener you choose has the capacity to remove an adequate number of grains of water hardness before it requires maintenance.
Another thing you should consider is whether you want a single-tank or dual-tank water softener. Twin tank water softeners are more expensive and take up more space, but they will allow you to have 24-hour access to water softening.
