How does water softening work? We dive into this question and more as we discover why soft water is important.

How does hard water form?

Before water enters your home, it collects calcium and magnesium — the hardness ions. This water is safe to drink but it’s hard on your home’s pipes and appliances as well as your skin and hair. Water softeners solve this problem once water enters your home.

How do water softeners work?

Water enters your home and goes to the water softener that is connected to your main water line. The first stage of softening occurs in the resin tank. Water circulates in the tank where tiny sodium-covered resin beads swap the calcium and magnesium in the water for the sodium they’re holding. The beads act as a scrubber, removing the hardness minerals out of your water. This process is known as ion exchange and soft water is the result.

When the beads are coated in calcium and magnesium it’s time to regenerate or clean the beads so they can continue to work their softening magic. This is where salt comes in.

The salt you add to your water softener creates a brine solution that is held in a small reservoir. The brine is pumped into the resin tank to strip the hardness minerals from the beads. Once they’re recharged, the beads are ready to soften more water. The used brine and minerals are drained from the softener allowing for the cycling to start again, ridding your household of all those pesky hard water problems.

All this is done in one system and can save you money throughout your home. To learn more about how soft water can save you money check out our “The Impact of Hard Water On Your Wallet” video.

If you’re ready to start softening your water, you can go to EcoPureHome to find the best solution for your home.

The post The hows and whys of water softening appeared first on HomeWater 101.

These are some of the most common problems you may be experiencing around your home due to hard water:

• Around the home
  • Crusty, white scale buildup on faucets, shower heads and water-using appliances
  • Dishwasher that no longer cleans dishes very well
  • Reduced water flow due to clogged pipes
  • Hard-to-clean film and scale on bath and kitchen fixtures, shower walls and toilets
  • Spotty, filmy glasses and dishes—even after washing
  • Soap that refuses to lather despite using copious amounts
  • Gray, dingy clothing
  • Towels that feel hard and scratchy post-wash
• Financial hits over time
  • Higher utility bill costs over time
    • Hard water will require up to 29% more energy to heat your water over the life of a water heater
    • The estimated increase in energy bills over a 10-year period: $1,500
  • Decreased efficacy of major water-using appliances, including big ticket items like water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines
  • A 30% to 50% decrease in the lifespan of major appliances
  • Increased purchases of items such as laundry detergent, bath and kitchen soaps and lotion
    • Estimated annual cost without a softener: $1,039
    • Estimated annual cost with a softener: $225 (75% to 80% percent savings)
• Personal well-being
  • “Squeaky” skin post-wash
  • Excessively dry skin
  • Dull, limp hair
  • Razor burn
  • Hair color that quickly fades

If any of these signs are present in your home, the best way to know for sure if you’ve got hard water is through a hard water test. It’s quick and easy, and it will tell you how hard your water is. Armed with that info, you’ll be able to look into the best solutions for your home.

The post Can’t lose those stubborn spots on your glasses? You probably have hard water. appeared first on HomeWater 101.