Water Treatment Options For Hard Water: Insights From A Plumber Near Me In | Prescott Valley, AZ
Most homes in Arizona receive hard water from deep aquifers and rivers through the local treatment plants. Hard water has high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals.
You can tell water hardness by how your hands will feel after washing them, the residue it leaves in crystal clear water glasses and the soap scum in water when doing laundry or washing dishes. Hard water can lead to the wastage of detergents, shampoos, and soap because of the high calcium levels, which makes lathering difficult.
In addition, hard water can significantly reduce the lifespan of water heating units due to the calcium carbonate that forms when the water is heated. The residue causes numerous plumbing issues, such as clogs, which require the services of a plumber near me in the city to fix.
Water treatment systems provide the much-needed solution to hard water. Read on to learn the water filtration systems that can remove the dissolved minerals from the water.
Ion Exchange Systems
An ion exchange system is one of the best water treatment equipment that softens hard water in homes. They are the most efficient units to eliminate higher levels of calcium and magnesium content from the water. The ion exchange water softeners remove positively charged mineral ions by replacing them with positively charged sodium ions.
A plumber near me in the neighborhood with extensive experience in water filters installs brine and resin tanks to complete the ion exchange process. The resin tank holds negatively charged resin beads with the required sodium ions, while the brine tank has highly concentrated saltwater. Hard water first goes through the resin tank to replace the calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions for a proper electrical balance.
If the plumber near me in Prescott Valley, AZ installs the system correctly, the resin and mineral-saturated water seamlessly flow to the brine tank. The saltwater in the tank flushes mineral ions from the water to the drains, making the water soft and ready for use.
Pros of the Ion Exchange Water Treatment Units
- They effectively remove minerals that make water hard.
- Ends the issue of spotting in dishes, pots, and pans.
- Eliminates soap scum and scaling.
- Protect dishwashers, water heaters, and coffee pots from damage.
The tradeoff of the Ion Exchange Systems
- They waste water during the refreshing process.
- Allow sodium particles in water, making it unfit for people on a low-sodium diet.
Salt-Free Water softeners
You can also go for salt-free systems to treat the water hardness of the water. They use Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) to remove limescale buildup in water. With correct installation by a plumber near me in town, the TAC media changes dissolved calcium carbonate mineral ions into crystals, reducing the ability of the minerals to stick on surfaces.
Even though the water still harbors calcium and magnesium ions, it makes water effectively lather with soap, does not form scum, and reduces the issue of residue on utensils. Salt-free water treatment units also remove contaminants from water using carbon media, eliminating chlorine, chloramines, and other chemicals to improve water taste and remove nasty rotten-egg odor.
Pros
- Reduces scaling that makes utensils look unclean.
- They protect plumbing fixtures and pipes from blockages and other plumbing problems.
- Enhances the taste of water
- Makes water odorless
- Easy to use
Cons of TAC-enabled Salt-free Units
- Do not remove the hard water minerals in the water.
- They work with other water softening systems like ion exchange to remove hard water minerals.
An experienced and qualified plumber near me in Prescott Valley, AZ should know if the salt-free water softener is legal in the state before installing it in your home.
Magnetic Water Softener
In this water treatment process, water is put under a magnetic field to change the calcium carbonate composition to prevent lime buildup that stems from scaling. It requires a plumber near me in the city to install electromagnetic coils responsible for separating hard water minerals from the water.
Unlike ion exchange systems, magnetic water treatment units do not use salt to eliminate the calcium and magnesium properties. With proper set-up, you can enjoy washing your utensils without limescale buildup, which makes water glasses unclear and other utensils appear dirty.
Advantages of Magnetic Systems
- They require low maintenance
- The magnetic units are more cost-effective than the salt-based systems.
- Durability as the filtration bed can last the longest.
- They do not change the water taste because they do not utilize salt.
- Easy to use
Disadvantages of Magnetic Water Softeners
- Like salt-free systems, magnetic units do not eliminate minerals in the water.
- Not a perfect option for stored water, such as storage water heaters that store water for days.
- They are only effective when water passes close to a magnetic field
In a Nutshell
Water filtration systems are the unmatched option for getting softer and clean water for cooking, cleaning, laundry, showering, and other sanitary tasks in a household. It prevents numerous issues, such as dry skin and hair, unclean utensils, and excessive use of soaps, shampoos, and detergents. With proper installation by a plumber near me in town, water softening filters protect your water heating units and plumbing fixtures from clogging due to mineral deposits.
Since water softeners cannot remove most contaminants in your water, the hired plumber near me in the county can suggest installing other water filtration units such as reverse osmosis, UV light treatment, and absorption filters.
We Are Here to Help You Choose the Right Water Treatment Equipment!
After contemplating buying a water softener for your house, the next question is, which one should you get? Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Prescott got your back for all your residential or commercial plumbing services.
We have a skilled and professional plumber near me in Prescott Valley, AZ, who can help you select an unrivaled water treatment unit that effectively makes the hard water in your home soft and accurately install it. Therefore, if you are tired of having poor water quality, our team of experts is ready to shift into action whenever you call. Get in touch with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Prescott today!