What is a Water Softener and Why Should Everyone Have One?
Maybe you think water is just, well – water. What’s so special about water and why do we want to talk about it? As it turns out, there is plenty of information to consider when it comes to water, particularly when we’re discussing water softeners. What is a water softener and why should everyone have one?
We’re here to answer those two questions and more, and we’ve been HERE since 1974! “Here” is in Orangeville, Ontario and it’s where Watermaker has been proudly serving our community for over 45 years.
The multitude of benefits related to using a water softener range from improved personal hygiene to longer lasting clothing and huge savings on energy. If you think water is “just” water, read on as we explain more about why it’s not that simple, what a water softener is and why you need one now!
What is a Water Softener?
Simply put a water softener isn’t about making your water soft like your favourite pillow – but rather – it’s a filtration system that removes high concentrations of both calcium and magnesium from your water supply. These minerals, because of the chemical composition (we won’t give you a chemistry lesson we promise) can build up on pipes, faucets and showerheads over time because they like to bond with metal. If you’ve ever noticed and attempted to scrub away at crusty, and sometimes white or beige coloured build up around your showerhead, chances are you have hard water and mineral deposits. If that’s what you can see, imagine what you can’t see! These mineral deposits can accumulate on pipes, in boilers, your hot water tank – everywhere that water runs through your home and you won’t even know that corrosion is taking place until it’s a problem.
Chances are you’ve heard problematic water referred to as “hard” water and that’s because of this mineral build up. So, at it’s most simple the answer to what is a water softener is that it’s a tool that helps keep your water soft and will help you to avoid potentially costly repairs!
Why Does Everyone Need A Water Softener?
In case the comments in our first paragraph weren’t enough to convince you of the benefits of a water softener, there are plenty of other reasons to consider installing one in your home today.
A water softener isn’t just about your pipes but also, your clothing, hair and skin and so much more! Here’s just a few of the reasons you should seriously consider a water softener:
- Frankly, it’s a luxury you can afford because it pays for itself! Your water will indeed be softer to the feel and touch and have a “softer” impact on your pipes, faucets and household appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines. Soft water will result in fewer mineral deposits preserving the lifetime of both your plumbing and appliances.
- Speaking of luxury, soft water feels luxurious. Yes, you can tell the difference by touch and see the difference too in terms of cleaner faucets, sinks and tubs and sparkling dishes and silverware.
- On the topic of clean, in addition to mineral build up, you might also experience discoloration from iron in the water. A good water filtration system will remove some of that iron helping to prevent stains around drains in tubs and sinks. *
- Water softeners actually reduce the amount of soap, cleaners or detergent necessary for both personal hygiene and laundry use by as much as 75%. In other words, you will find yourself using 75% less soap, 75% less chemical cleaning products and 75% less laundry detergent. That sounds to us like a 75% reduction in your household expenses related to these items!
- Typically, our clients find they are using less water and energy for both cleaning and laundry and as much as 25 – 30% less energy for heating water. In other words, more savings! In fact, here in Orangeville we’re finding the average family is saving as much as $250 per month by using a water softener so when we ask, “what is a water softener” you can answer – “it’s a money saver!” (You may also be in for a possible rebate if you have a water softener in Orangeville!)
Other benefits include:
- Softer, shiner hair!
- Clean, clear and shinier skin!
- Softer feel to your clothing, linens, towels and bedding!
- Clothing that lasts longer and retains colour better!
- Less time spent cleaning because… well, there’s no scum, no residue and no mineral deposits! We don’t know about you but less time spent cleaning sounds good to us!
Taken together, all of these points lead us to ask a different question. Rather than asking, “what is a water softener and why should everyone have one,” we think the better question is, “why don’t you have a water softener?” If you would like to learn more about the luxury of softer water, we’re happy to help. You can take a look at the water softeners we offer, here
We’re Watermaker Orangeville – providing soft water solutions that suit your lifestyle and your budget!
*Talk to us about our iron removers too if you have higher iron concentrations and find yourself battling brown or yellow stains in sinks and tubs.
