How Does a Water Softener Work?
Water softeners are common in many households - but do you actually know how yours works? Water softeners use a simple chemical process called ion exchange.
This process exchanges the hard water minerals in your water (magnesium and calcium) for soft water minerals (sodium). Continue reading below to learn more about this process.
Ion Exchange
You may remember from high school science class that positively charged ions (+) are attracted to negatively charged ions (-). Ions are a type of molecule.
Hard water is simply water that has an excessive amount of minerals in it - specifically magnesium and calcium. These two minerals are positively charged ions.
Many homeowners want to remove their hard water as the minerals in it can cause a number of issues such as dry skin, calcium buildup, high water bills, and clogged or damaged pipes.
So, a water softener uses ion exchange to remove hard water ions. Ion exchange is the process in which the less desired ions (the positive hard water minerals) are exchanged (or replaced) with desired ions (the negative soft water minerals - sodium).
This is done by using resin beads.
Resin Beads
Your water softener is filled with millions of tiny resin beads. Each resin bead is negatively charged (-).
Because negative and positive ions are attracted to each other, positively charged (+) sodium ions (the soft water ions) attach easily to the resin beads - kind of like a magnet!
As water enters your water softener, the positively charged minerals are attracted to the negative resin beads.
As they attach themselves to the beads, they replace the positive sodium ions. The sodium ions then enter the water, and the magnesium and calcium ions end up attached to the resin beads. They no longer enter your taps!
Water Softener Regeneration
Eventually, your resin beads will become too full of magnesium and calcium ions. They will no longer be able to attract any new minerals, so your water softener must “regenerate.”
During the regeneration cycle, your water softener will go offline and your softener’s brine tank will get to work!
Salt brine from the brine tank is pumped into the resin tank during regeneration. The salt brine washes away the hard water ions and replaces them with a fresh layer of sodium ions.
Then, your water softener will turn back on and it will begin the softening process all over again.
Who Needs a Water Softener?
Not everyone needs a water softener, but if you live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, you can greatly benefit from one.
Water softeners are needed in areas that have very hard water. Water hardness is usually determined by how much calcium and magnesium are found within your home’s water.
Check out the chart below to see how water hardness varies in different cities across Canada.
Source: www.cwqa.com/
Hard water levels differ by areas due to the sources of your drinking water. In some areas, groundwater simply contains more minerals than what is found in other areas.
Calcium build-up and damage due to hard water on small appliances
Kitchener and Waterloo have some of the hardest water found in all of Canada! That means that if you do not have a water softener, you may experience some of the negative effects we mentioned above (dry skin, damaged pipes, mineral build-up, and more).
Water Softener Installation - What To Expect After it’s installed
After your water softener is installed, you should expect to notice ‘soft’ water soon after! Many people say that they notice a difference when showering or taking a bath.
Your skin may feel less dry and irritated, and you may also notice that it is easier to wash soap and shampoo off of your body.
After installation, your water softener should run smoothly and complete the ion exchange process we outlined above.
You won’t have to worry about replacing your resin beads anytime soon - they usually last between 10-15 years!
When it comes to water softener salt, you will have to purchase a new bag approximately once a month.
As ion exchange occurs, the salt gets used up (unlike the beads which remain in your tank). The exact timing for salt replacement will depend on the size of your family and your personal water usage.
If you notice that your water still feels hard even after your unit is installed, it might mean that something is not right. Contact a professional water softener installation service to check it out!
Water Softener Maintenance & Repair
Water softeners require little maintenance, and will usually last between 10-15 years! However, that doesn’t mean you should just forget about your unit.
Here are some maintenance tips that will help keep your softener running well for longer:
Use high quality salt - Cheaper salt options such as rock salt may have more impurities and can cause significant mineral build-up
Don’t add too much salt - Only refill your salt when needed, and don’t add too much (don’t go over 2/3 full).
Clean the brine tank - This doesn’t need to happen very often, but it is recommended that you do it about once per year
Check your softener frequently - Even if you think everything is running smoothly, check on your softener and inspect for leaks and mineral build-up. Catch small problems before they become big ones!
If you notice that something is wrong with your water softener and it’s not working as it should, you should call the professionals.
Trying to fix a problem with your water softener can make it worse and end up costing you more money in the long-term.
If you see or experience the following issues, it’s time to call for a repair:
Salt bridges are forming in your tank
You notice leaking around your unit
Your water is no longer soft
Excessive water is build up in your salt tank
There’s no power on your unit
Your motor is broken
Your timer is not working properly
At WaterSmart, we have experience dealing with all of these problems and more! Contact us today if you need water softener maintenance in the Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas.
FOR WATER SOFTENER services & REPAIR, TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS AT WATERSMART
If you need water softener repair in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, you can trust WaterSmart. We'd be happy to help you with any repair or service on any type of water softener you have, at a reasonable rate.
Our expert, experienced plumbers will come to your home, take a look at your system, and advise you about the best course of action.
Whenever possible, we will fix your existing unit, and if you need a replacement, we can advise you on what type of softener would best meet your needs. We even offer financing! Contact WaterSmart today for all your water softening needs.
“Excellent customer care! From the initial phone call to the installation - the entire experience was helpful and focused on customer satisfaction.”
Eric Gillespie
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