Unlocking the Secret to Softer Water: Understanding Water Softeners and Their Benefits

Considering that water is one of the natural elements on the planet, it should be a simple matter. Water flows naturally from our oceans, rivers, and streams, and has been relied on throughout time for bathing, hydration, cleaning, and even transportation.

On a molecular level, water is made up of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. However, the composition of water varies from place to place because there can be additional elements in the water that create the need for water softeners.

What are Water Softeners?

Water softeners are treatments and appliances that change the composition of the water in a home or business. The term “soft water” is used to describe water that isn’t “hard.” A water softener softens the water so the water is better suited for indoor plumbing uses such as drinking, bathing, and cleaning.

Water softeners are available from Pilot Plumbing as part of our water treatment services. There are a wealth of benefits to adding a water softener to your home or business. By and large, homeowners and business owners who have had water softeners installed report that they are extremely impressed with the difference in water quality, as well as the many benefits associated with this water treatment method.

Why Do You Need a Water Softener?

The hardness of water depends a great deal upon the geographical location. Rainfall acquires minerals when it gathers in bodies of water on Earth. Texas happens to be a place where the water hardness averages more than 200 PPM (parts per million), making it the 6th state with the hardest water in the entire United States.

Most of the counties in Texas struggle with the hardness of the water. If you live or work in Texas, you almost certainly need a water softener.

Problems With Hard Water

Hard water presents all kinds of challenges for Texas residents and others. These include:

• Reduced Lifespan of Appliances: If you operate an appliance that uses water, such as a dishwasher or washing machine, hard water will certainly reduce the lifespan of that appliance.
• Dry Hair and Skin: Hard water can make your hair dry, brittle, and unmanageable. You may think you have “bad hair,” when really you have a problem with hard water. Hard water is also very drying on the skin when you bathe or shower in it. A whole home water softener solves these problems.
• Limescale: Limescale is that hard, white, crusty residue that builds up inside water kettles and coffee makers, making them less efficient or even preventing the heating element from working as it should. It can also build up, unseen, inside plumbing, causing clogged pipes, pipe erosion, and more.

• Leaks: The minerals in hard water can end up creating tiny, pinhole-sized leaks in your plumbing, which often leads to costly plumbing repairs.
• Poor Cleaning Ability: Hard water doesn’t get clothes as clean as water that’s been treated with a water softener. Your laundry may come out with rust stains, or generally unclean. Dishes and drinkware won’t get properly cleaned in the dishwasher.

Benefits of a Water Softener

When you get a water softener, you’ll instantly see several benefits, including:

• Improved Overall Water Quality: Softened water is free from most of the minerals that cause hardness, resulting in water that tastes and feels better and performs better during household chores.
• Extended Appliance Lifespan: Water softeners can potentially extend the life of your appliances by minimizing mineral buildup.
• Fewer Plumbing Repairs: Water softeners help prevent the buildup of mineral deposits and help cut down on costly repairs.
• Energy Savings: When scale builds up in water heaters and boilers, it makes these appliances less efficient. With a water softener, your heating systems can operate more efficiently, leading to potential energy savings.
• Softer Skin and Hair: Softened water doesn't strip away natural oils, leaving your skin and hair feeling softer and less dry. You may even experience fewer skin irritations and less reliance on moisturizers and hair conditioners.

Contact Pilot Plumbing today to find out more about water softeners and why you need one. Higher-quality water is just a phone call away!