Why Do I Need a Water Softener?
From soap scum to health concerns, hard water can cause you endless headaches. Water hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. This hardness can leave behind unwanted film on your water fixtures, dishes, clothing, and even your skin. In some cases, it may seem as though there is no hope to getting rid of these household headaches, but there is a simple solution: water softeners.
How Do I Know If I Have Hard Water?
Give Culligan a call! The best way to know if you need a water softener is to have your water tested. However, there are a few ways you can determine if your water may be hard on your own. You may need a water softener if you find any of the following signs in your home:
• Scale buildup
• Soap scum
• Dry, itchy skin
• Scratchy laundry
• Poor water pressure
Hard Water Problems
Hard water is a common issue many homeowners experience. There are various problems caused by hard water that can affect both you and your home.
Bacteria Growth: The materials used for your plumbing system, such as PVC or copper piping, do not allow for bacteria to grow. However, hard water causes scale buildup within the pipes on which bacteria may grow.
Stained, Stiff Laundry: The minerals that make water hard can cause your laundry to become stiff and discolored. Hard water minerals can also react with detergent, leaving behind soap scum and faded clothing.
Health Concerns: Hard water can leave a pore-clogging film on your skin, leaving your skin feeling dry and itchy. People with eczema are at a greater risk for flare-ups from hard water irritation.
Bad-Tasting Water: Hard water can cause an unpleasant taste and smell in your water. The minerals in hard water give the water a bitter or metallic taste.
A water softener removes the minerals in hard water that cause these problems, leaving behind softer, clean water that is gentle on you and your home.
The Benefits of a Water Softener
Preventing Scale Buildup: Hard water can leave behind scale buildup on your home’s water fixtures and appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters. This buildup reduces your fixtures and appliances’ efficiency and lifespan.
Energy Savings: Water softeners can reduce energy bills by making your home’s appliances like washing machines and dishwashers more efficient. Softeners can also reduce the amount of soap and detergent used for these appliances.
Improving Hair and Skin Health: Hard water can cause hair loss and skin irritation. Softened water is gentler on skin and hair and helps reduce dryness, damage, and irritation.
Extended Plumbing Lifespan: Mineral buildup from hard water can cause clogs and corrosion to your plumbing system. Water softeners can help extend the lifespan of your plumbing and reduce maintenance costs.
How a Water Softener Works
Culligan water softeners use an ion exchange process. This process removes the minerals that cause your water to be hard and replaces them with sodium. The amount of sodium added to the water is proportional to how hard the water is. The amount of salt added to the water in most instances is too small to be a significant contributor to the amount of sodium in your diet.
Water Softener Installation
Once your Culligan Man has performed a water test to determine the quality of your home’s water, it can be determined which unit is the best fit for your needs. Upon installation, your plumbing will be evaluated to ensure it can accommodate the new unit. Once ready for installation, your home’s main water will be shut off briefly as the new water softener is connected to your home’s plumbing. Once your unit is fully installed, the water will be turned back on, and the unit will be calibrated and tested to ensure it is working perfectly. You will be able to immediately enjoy soft water!
Water Softener Maintenance
Culligan offers scheduled maintenance plans to help keep your water softener working as efficiently as possible through inspections, cleaning, and filter replacements. You can also schedule salt delivery for your unit to ensure you never run out.
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