Water Softener System How It Works

Reducing their effectiveness and lifespan.

Water softener system how it works.

Hard water destroys appliances leaves filmy soap scum across bathrooms and kitchens and dries out hair and skin. An expert explanation and diagram of how a conventional water softener softens hard water. The most common and effective way to eliminate the effects of hard water is to remove the minerals that cause hardness. A water softener removes minerals that create water hardness one of the most common water quality problems a homeowner encounters.

Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium by ion exchange. Here s how just one system can dramatically improve your water. Here s a breakdown of how a water softener works. A standard whole house water softener works on the principle of ion exchange called cation exchange it conditions or softens hard water by substituting sodium chloride salt for hard minerals such as calcium magnesium and iron.

Water softener costs vary widely depending on the size and make of the softener but expect to pay between 2 000 and 2 500 for a typical system including installation. Problems a water softener won t fix. Softened water exits the tank and flows to the plumbing throughout your home. How water softeners work if you have hard water a water softener is the solution to spotty dishes dry skin and limescale buildup in pipes and appliances.

And manganese causes black staining. Unlike hard water softened water does not damage your home s piping or cause a build up of scale in your appliances. For example ferrous iron is a common mineral and it creates nasty rust stains in sinks tubs and toilets. How a water softener system works.

A water softener works by removing the magnesium and calcium present in your water supply through a process of ion exchange turning it from hard water to softened water. The hardness causing mineral ions are captured by the softener s resin and exchanged for sodium or potassium ions. Water softeners are good at removing calcium and magnesium but they don t do anything to remove other minerals and gases that can cause problems in drinking water. Hard water enters your home from a main water pipe or well and travels to the water softener.

With over 85 of the united states relying on hard water for their cooking cleaning and bathing water softeners serve a vital purpose.