Hard water is the term which we use to describe water which is rich in minerals such as calcium and iron. These minerals are heavy in weight which his what gives the water this ‘hardness’. Around the world there are millions of people who have hard water coming directly into their home from the water supplier, and there are some risks which this kind of water can pose, especially to plumbing. The easiest solution for any household which does have a supply of hard water is to install a water softener system, which strips away those heavy minerals before water is delivered to the home.
There is naturally some level of expense to installing such a system, yet here is why that investment is going to prove worthwhile.
Clothing Care
There is a notable difference when you feel clothing which has been washed in hard water and soft water, the latter providing a much lighter and more velvety texture. It is not just the feel of clothing which changes when you use softer water, you will also find that your clothes last longer. Hard water can treat clothing roughly, which can lead to the thinning of clothing fibers over time.
Appliance Health
When hard water runs through pipes and tubes, it leaves behind some of those minerals en route. The result of this over a long period of time is that limescale can build up, leaving behind solid, chalky calcium. Over time this can lead to the degradation and damage of home appliances such as a washing machine or a dishwasher. Installing a water softening system ensures that your appliances don’t become damaged from hard water.
Lower Energy Bill
Despite the initial outlay you will find that you can actually save money through the installation of a water softener system. Your energy bill is likely to be reduced because of the lower heating costs which you are likely to incur. With hard water, boilers must spend more time and energy heating up both the water and the weight of minerals within it. Soft water heats up quickly, and will require far less output from your boiler, which in turn will save you money.
Sewer Systems
Anyone who has had sewer issues at home will know just how big a problem this can be, and how much upheaval one has to go through to get the issues fixed. It may not be something which we can see with the eye, but our sewer systems are absolutely vital to the household. Using a water softener will ensure that the pipes of the sewers below the home don’t see a build of limescale, which can impact water flow, pressure and cause unhealthy water to enter the property.
Easier Cleaning
Hard water does’t just leave mineral deposits in pipes and appliances, it will also do so on your sinks and bath tubs. Cleaning these deposits can be problematic and require a lot of scrubbing. If however you have soft water coming into the home then you will find that you have to clean less often, and it will be easier when you do so.
This is a worthwhile investment for anyone who has hard water coming through their taps at home.
