Hard water is a common plumbing issue and a common underlying contributor to other plumbing problems. Hard water is caused by regional water supplies that have high amounts of dissolved minerals. These dissolved minerals cause water to behave in ways that are unfavorable to proper operation of plumbing systems. Luckily, there are easy ways to deal with hard water.
At Valley Plumbing Pros, we help Merced homeowners protect their plumbing from hard water damage by installing and maintaining water softeners. By installing a whole-home water softener in your home you can prevent the damage that hard water can do to your home.
Has scale already damaged your appliances? Be sure to ask about our water heater installation service to ensure your comfort.
Problems with Hard Water
Most people don’t realize it but they’ve been living with hard water all of their lives. Because most municipal water sources are from surface water or aquifers, high mineral content is common. It is only when someone uses soft water for the first time that they realize the benefits. Some of the problems with hard water are:
- Scale build-up in pipes and appliances
- Dry skin
- Soap residues on dishes, sinks, and showers
- Bad tasting water
- Low water pressure
- Slippery-feeling water
By installing a water softener, you can prolong the life of things like dishwashers, hot water tanks, washing machines, sink fixtures, coffee makers, and piping. Because of their low cost to operate, water softeners can save money in the long run by helping you make your household items operate longer and with less maintenance.
How Do Water Softeners Work?
A water softener works by removing excess minerals from your water supply and supplying your house with softened water. To accomplish this, the water softener is installed at the point where water service enters your home. As water comes into your house it passes through a tank that is filled with special beads that grab calcium ions and remove them from the water. The softened water then goes through your current plumbing to feed your sinks, showers, and toilets.
Over time, the beads of resin that remove calcium from the water become saturated and need to be refreshed. To do this, a separate tank of brine is flushed through the resin to rinse away the excess minerals that have been removed from your water. The whole system takes up very little room and operates automatically. The only extra work that needs to take place is for the homeowner to keep special salt in the brine tank so the system can automatically flush itself.
Has hard water already caused irreparable damage to your plumbing system? Be sure to ask about our whole-home repiping services to give your entire system an upgrade.
Professional Water Softener Service
At Valley Plumbing Pros, we love helping our customers understand the benefits of installing a water softener. We offer a full line of services aimed at repairing and maintaining your water softeners as well. While water softeners don’t typically need much maintenance, it is good to have a professional install it and inspect it from time to time. A few simple chemical tests performed on a scheduled basis can verify that your water softener is providing reliable service. Additionally, by having us install a water softener, you can protect your hot water tank and piping so you’re less likely to need our emergency plumbing services.
