5 Big Signs You Need a Water Softener System for Your Home
In this blog, you’ll learn:
- Homes with both city and well water often need a water softener system for home.
- Dry skin, brittle hair and limescale buildup are all signs you have hard water.
- Only a comprehensive water test can determine if you have hard water (and will also show any toxins in your drinking supply).
If any of the five significant signs we’ve listed below resonate with you, we can confidently say that it’s time to consider a water softener system. These signs are reliable indicators of hard water issues and understanding them can help you start enjoying the benefits of soft water. Before we delve into these signs, feel free to explore the range of water softener systems available at Angel Water by clicking the button below.
What is a Water Softener System for Home?
If you have “hard water,” a water softener system for home is the solution. Put simply, water hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water. While hard water isn’t unsafe to drink, it can cause many problems for your family, home and appliances. The amount of water hardness is measurable, and the harder your water is, the more likely you are to have problems.
A water softener system for home can decrease or eliminate water hardness. As the name suggests, this appliance makes water “soft.” Some regions (including the Chicago area) have significantly high water hardness levels and require highly efficient softener systems to treat their water.
Water softener systems use a few different methods to remove water hardness, but the most common (and the one we most recommend) is salt-based. A salt-based water softener uses a process called ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium from the water. As hard water flows through the system, it filters through a tank of small resin beads that attract dissolved minerals out of the water so that clean, soft water is sent through your pipes.
5 Big Signs You Need a Water Softener System for Home
Determining whether you need a water softener system for home can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to make it simple! If any of the five big signs below ring true for you, it’s time to invest in a water softener.
1. Well Water
Over 43 million people—about 15% of the nation’s population — rely on private wells for drinking water. Unfortunately, many of these people don’t realize that nobody—including the government—is monitoring their wells for them. Maintenance, testing and treatment of your domestic drinking well is 100% the homeowner’s responsibility.
On that same note, most well water contains magnesium and calcium, which make it hard. Therefore, well water almost always needs a water softener system.
However, making well water clean and safe sometimes goes beyond a water softener system for home…
One study of more than 2,000 domestic wells found that one in five contain contaminants at concentrations high enough to affect human health. What does this mean for you? You probably want to pair your water softener with a water filtration system if you have well water! Of course, only a water test can tell you for sure what your water needs, so we highly recommend getting one if you haven’t already.
2. City Water
If you use city water, you’re not free from hard water –hardness isn’t usually something cities treat their water for. Cities only filter and treat the water to meet the minimum standards. The minimum standards of the law is below what health professionals consider healthy to drink and bathe in. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, much of America naturally has high amounts of calcium carbonate in the water and many aren’t aware.
If cities aren’t treating your drinking water for hardness, then the onus is on us, the homeowner. Chances are high that you’ll need a water softener system for your home. However, once again, a comprehensive water test is the only way to know for sure what kind of softener (or filtration system) your home needs.
3. Water Testing Results
We’ve mentioned water testing a few times here already and with great reason. Everyone should have comprehensive water testing done on their home’s drinking water because it’s the only way to know for sure what issues you’re facing.
The most definitive way to determine whether you have hard water is if a water test tells you so. That same test will allow you to discover what contaminants are hiding in your water and which water softening and filtration systems will solve your problem. Best of all, a water test allows you to take your family’s health into your own hands – and potentially, take more control over your finances, too!
4. Dry Skin and Brittle Hair
Many people with hard water complain of dry skin and brittle hair. There are a few reasons for this:
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- Hard water suffocates your scalp, making it challenging to cleanse thoroughly
- Dissolved minerals in hard water cause damage to your hair follicles, causing them to break and tangle more easily
- Soap is less effective because of the way it interacts with the minerals in hard water
- Harsh calcium deposits left behind on skin and scalp make it harder to maintain proper moisture levels
- Acne, wrinkles, dullness and other skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema can worsen because of hard water.
Are you battling one or more (or even all) of these issues? Hard water is a likely culprit. The solution? You guessed it: a water softener system for home.
If hard water is to blame for your skin and hair problems, it will take a few weeks or even months to resolve after you’ve installed a water softener system. But your issues should stop getting worse almost immediately. Just think, you could have your healthy hair and glowing skin back in a few months!
5. Limescale Buildup
Limescale buildup is most noticeable on your home’s faucets. It’s that white-looking crust that comes back pretty much every time you clean – and it’s hard to get rid of, to begin with, usually requiring a lot of elbow grease and some specialized cleaning products, like Lime-A-Way.
But did you know that’s only the tip of the iceberg? That white limescale buildup is also likely in your pipes, where it can cause big problems. Problems like:
- Decreased water pressure (which can slow to a trickle if let go long enough)
- Increased maintenance costs for your home appliances
- Broken pipes, resulting in leaks that can cause water damage to your home
The only way to eradicate limescale buildup is to either get a water softener system for home or replace all your home’s pipes. Obviously, the water softener is a more affordable and practical solution.
Water Softener System for Home FAQs
Now you know the signs your home needs a water softener – and you see that most people (you included) likely need one. But, if you’ve never had a water softener system installed in your home, you probably still have questions. Below, we’ve answered a few of the questions we commonly get from customers to help you feel more confident in your purchasing decision.
Does everyone need a water softener system for home?
85% of Americans live with hard water, and most aren’t even aware they are showering in hard water. They also aren’t aware that hard water costs them more energy to heat and clean their homes. Using a water softener is a green solution that will save energy costs beyond making your hair and skin feel great.
Do water softeners remove toxins, too?
All water softener systems that are NSF-44 certified remove toxins like barium and radium 226/228. But, if you want comprehensive toxin elimination and decreased water hardness, installing a combination of water softener and whole house water filter or reverse osmosis is your best bet.
Will all my hard water problems disappear as soon as I install a softener system?
Unfortunately, a water softener won’t make all your hard water problems immediately disappear. However, the system will start to solve your problems right away.
Soft water will gradually dissolve scale buildup in your pipes, so your water pressure may steadily increase. Your skin and hair will repair themselves over a few months, so problems like brittleness and itchiness should begin to fade.
What if I still have questions?
If you still have questions, check out Angel Water’s extensive online resource library. You’ll find a wealth of information about water softeners, filtration equipment, water quality and much more!
Still can’t find the answer to your questions or prefer to speak with a person? Don’t hesitate to call (847) 382-7800 to speak with a water softener for home expert. We’re always happy to answer your questions or provide advice!
Get an Efficient Water Softener System for Home Today!
As you can see, most people (if not all) can benefit from installing a water softener system for home. Ready to make the switch to soft water and begin reaping the benefits? Or do you still have questions and want to speak with a water softener system expert? Contact us today. We look forward to serving you!
