There are nationwide standards for drinking water, eliminating more than 90 different contaminants that pose a threat to your health. That’s great, right? Yes, but the minerals that cause hard water- Calcium, Magnesium, and Manganese- are not included in those contaminants. They are not necessarily a threat to your health but are not good for you or your home either.
If you have a water softener, you know the difference soft water makes for your home and family. Let’s take a look at what hard water is, and the pros and cons of a water softener.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water contains high levels of minerals including calcium and magnesium. Water is tested by measuring its calcium levels. Southern California has some of the hardest water levels in America. Signs of hard water in your home include stains on sinks and bathtubs, spots on clean dishes and scale deposits in pipes and appliances.
Maybe you have noticed some of these telltale signs of hard water in your home. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of a water softener so you can decide if it’s your best solution for hard water.
Pros of a Water Softener
There are many pros of softened water. Let’s take a look at a few…
- Prevent Limescale Buildup– Minerals in hard water cause a white, crusty limescale buildup on faucets, sinks, showers, and appliances that use water like washing machines and water heaters. Limescale is especially harmful to your appliances and can shorten their life.
- Softer Skin and Hair– Softened water is extremely beneficial for your hair and skin. Hard water will dry out and irritate your skin and leave your hair feeling dry and brittle. With a water softener, you will notice softer and healthier skin and hair.
- Protect Your Clothing– Washing clothes in hard water will leave mineral deposits causing colors to fade. Soft water keeps materials brighter and also dissolves detergent more effectively. You will use less detergent and may not even need fabric softener!
- Cleaner Dishes– Hard water will leave cloudy spots on dishes and silverware. A water softener will fix the problem by removing the minerals before they can build up on your dishes.
- Use Less Soap– Soaps and detergents lather better with soft water. As a result, smaller amounts will achieve the same or better clean results!
- Save Money- If you notice, a lot of the pros save money. With a water softener you use less soaps and detergent, you’ll need less skin products, clothing will last longer, your appliances work more efficiently and last longer!
Cons of a Water Softener
There are also a couple cons to consider when purchasing a water softener.
- Health Conditions– Water softeners use salt to condition the hard water. While this does not pose a health risk to most people, you should be aware if you are on a low-sodium diet.
- Cost- High quality softeners can be costly but remember all those cost saving benefits? You could actually SAVE money when those are considered!
- Maintenance– Most household appliances require maintenance, and a water softener is no different. It will need to be maintained to work properly and will need to be replenished with salt crystals or pellets.
How We Can Help Meet Your Water Treatment Needs
We at Palm Springs Water Systems think the pros and cons of a water softener are important, but the pros outweigh the cons. And, we can help if one of the cons is holding you back. We also offer no-salt conditioners, chlorine removal, drinking water systems, and soft water service.
What is soft water service? This is perfect for homeowners and businesses that want soft water without the maintenance. So, if maintaining a water softener is keeping you from soft water, be sure to check out our soft water service that is 100% maintained by Palm Springs Water Systems!
If you think you have hard water, feel free to contact us for an in-home water test to help you understand your water quality. Palm Springs Water Systems has been providing quality water services and products at an affordable rate for over 47 years. We offer a variety of residential and commercial units and would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Simply contact us today to get started!