Why might you want to install a soft water system in your home? Let’s talk about it!
1. What’s the difference between hard and soft water?
2. Water hardness in Kitchener-Waterloo
3. Benefits of a soft water system
4. Install a soft water system
WaterSmart has been serving the Waterloo Region since 1994. For the best plumbing and water softener service, contact WaterSmart today.
Why Install a Soft Water System with Watersmart?
1. What’s the difference between hard and soft water?
Hard water contains the minerals calcium and magnesium.
How does that happen? Well, rainwater is actually soft water and free of any minerals when it falls from the sky. However, when it lands on the ground, it picks up minerals as it comes in contact with rock, sand, and soil.
So, water from lakes, rivers, and springs also called groundwater comes from regions with very high mineral content and enters your home as hard water.
Water hardness is measured in mg per litre or grains per gallon (gpg). As you can see below, a concentration of minerals over 180 mg/litre is considered very hard.
A handy water hardness classification chart.
Soft water, therefore, is treated to remove these minerals, or at least reduce their concentration. We’ll discuss why you would want to do that below.
Click here to find out how to determine whether you have a water hardness problem.
2. Water hardness in Kitchener-Waterloo
The drinking water source in Kitchener is approximately 80 percent groundwater.
Our groundwater is hard, meaning there is naturally occurring dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. In fact, our area has some of the hardest water in all of Canada.
Kitchener-Waterloo ranges between 17 and 36 grains per gallon (gpg) or 291 and 615 parts per million (ppm). The water hardness average across Canada is only 10.5 gpg.
That means that Kitchener's water is about 2 to 3 times harder than the Canadian average!
The Grand River watershed is a massive source of groundwater for our region.
3. Benefits of a soft water system
There are several benefits of installing a soft water system.
For starters, when your water softener removes the hard minerals from your water, it’s better for all your pipes and appliances.
Why? All the hard minerals and chemicals in the water build up over time.
This scale buildup can be really hard on your plumbing system and appliances like your coffee maker and dishwasher, causing you to replace them sooner than expected.
You’ll also notice cleaner and brighter-looking dishes. Those spots are caused by the calcium carbonate found in hard water.
A soft water system is also better for your skin, hair, clothes, and wallet.
Softer water saves you money when it comes to repairs on plumbing and appliances. Buildup can be very hard on your pipes, and you might have leaks that develop along the way.
Appliances that use hot water such as your dishwasher, electric kettle, and washing machine will also develop mineral build-up which will reduce their overall effectiveness and lifespan.
Water softeners will also save money on your energy bill, as well as restocks of moisturizers, shampoo, soap, and water filters.
It is also common for the calcium from the hard water to accumulate in your hot water tank. Since calcium is not a heat conductor, the build-up will cause your water tank to create more heat, using more energy than needed.
Let softer water flow through your faucets.
4. Install a soft water system
If you’re looking for a new water softener, you could:
Purchase your new water softener at a big box store and
attempt to install your new water softener yourself
pay a plumber to install it
Or find a company that offers free installation with the purchase of a water softener.
Purchasing a water softener and installing it yourself is certainly an option. But you must make sure you have the knowledge, skills, and tools to do the job right.
If you make a mistake, you may have to pay more than the original installation cost in order to get the job done right.
We live and work in the Kitchener-Waterloo region so we understand the hard water challenges of this area.
We know how to install and program your water softener for maximum efficiency and are familiar with the types of water softener repairs that you might need.
Our water softener installation service includes the following:
Deliver your new water softener
Install the new water softener and hook it up to any necessary plumbing
Replace an existing water softener in the same location within the home
Set up and program the softener unit
Remove the old water softener free of charge - unless it is a rental unit
Test to ensure proper operation
Demonstrate how the unit works & how much salt to add regularly
Clean up the job site
If you purchase a water softener from us, your installation is free!
Here’s a look at our options.
All of our soft water systems are made in Canada.
Let us install your soft water system
WaterSmart has been serving the Waterloo region including, Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, Brantford, and surrounding areas since 1994.
We are committed to helping you improve the quality of your home's water.
Contact WaterSmart today to talk to one of our water systems experts.
“Visited the show room and was well educated on water softeners and how they work. The price for the unit chosen plus installation was more then fair compared to other providers and quotes. Installation occurred within 3 days, and was professionally done. I will recommend Water Smart to any one looking for a new water softener system.”
