Is a water softener the right choice for you?

   Welcome to yeah we do that’s tip #38. This week I want to discuss a question I get asked frequently and that is… Do I need a water softener in my home? In this article we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of water softener’s as well as possible alternatives. 

   Before we go over the pros and cons of water softeners let’s take a minute and talk about how a water softener system works and the difference between hard and soft water. If you live in an area like mine you have heard people say that they have very “hard” water, all this means is that the potable water coming into their home has a very high mineral content. To soften water is filtered through a tank containing salt which causes a chemical reaction where the ions are exchanged from the calcium and magnesium in the water with the sodium ions in the salt which results in the calcium and magnesium being in able to bond to surfaces and create lime scale. To put it in simpler terms the water softener simply treats the water and keeps the stuff that’s in it from sticking to your pipes, showerheads, shower doors, your close and you. 

   Now let’s talk about the pros and cons of having hard water, while hard water is not harmful to drink as it must pass minimum safety standards it can cause problems in your home. Some of the signs that you may have hard water may show up in clog showerheads, dishes run through a dishwasher having noticeable spots, reduced water pressure/flow throughout the home caused by calcification buildup in your water lines in the need to use more detergent to get close in dishes claim. It can also greatly shorten the life of certain appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers as well as refrigerators that have ice makers and through the door water.

   Some of the pros and cons of having soft water are you will need to use less detergent and soap to clean clothes, dishes and yourself. You will find that there will not be the heavy buildup of lime scale on your showerheads, faucets and shower doors and your water may smell and taste better. Some of the drawbacks to a water softener system are that there can be health concerns for people who have sodium restrictions on their diets as sodium is added to the water, some people will notice that the water may have a slight salty taste to it. Also another complaint is that while taking a shower you may tend to feel slimy like you cannot wash the soap off of your skin, while initially this may be an uncomfortable and unsettling feeling it is actually a good thing as all of the lime scale in the water sticks to and dries to your skin which can aid in your skin being less dry, flaky and itchy. 

   If you do not wish to use a water softener system for any the reasons mentioned above a possible alternative would be installing a high-efficiency whole house water filter. Not only will this remove a good part of the magnesium and calcium dissolved in your water rather than just altering it so that it cannot bond to pipes it will also remove other things you do not want in your water such as traces of lead and other contaminants. The filters can be expensive and depending on how hard your water is may reduce the life of the filter causing the need to change it more often. 

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 --Greg