Your Guide: How Does a Water Softener Work
Water quality is a hot topic for many homeowners today, especially when it comes to hard water, especially in Texas. Understanding water softeners and their benefits is essential for anyone looking to improve their water quality at home. With so many types of water softeners and the myths surrounding them, questions naturally arise: What exactly is hard water? Does every water softener require salt? How big does a water softener system need to be? And can, rather should, you install it yourself?
At Elder's Pure Water, we’re experts in residential and commercial water treatment. Through many years of experience, we’ve developed a deep understanding of how to tackle hard water and which softening solutions work best for the local Dallas, Fort Worth area. In this blog, we’ll explore hard water, how water softeners work, the various types of water softeners available, and the advantages of using a water softener.
What Is Hard Water?
According to the Water Quality Association (WQA), water “hardness” was originally coined to describe water that made washing difficult. Hard water contains high levels of minerals—primarily calcium and magnesium—that create soap scum and buildup and reduce the ability of soap to lather. These minerals accumulate as water moves through soil and rock, dissolving into the water supply. While these minerals aren’t generally harmful to health, they can lead to several inconveniences in daily life that affect plumbing, appliances, fixtures, hair and skin, and even your wallet.
Hard water is measured in grains per gallon (gpg), with a breakdown as follows:
- Soft Water: Less than 1 gpg
- Slightly Hard: 0–3.5 gpg
- Moderately Hard: 3.5–7 gpg
- Hard: 7–10 gpg
- Very Hard: Over 10 gpg
There can be several indicators of hard water. If you’re dealing with issues like soap scum, limescale on fixtures, or dry skin and hair, it’s very likely you have hard water. Both municipal and well water sources can have hard water, so it’s important to have a professional test your water quality to understand its mineral content. The benefit of a free water test from Elder’s Pure Water is that we’ll also test for common local contaminants.
Why A Water Softener Is Important
A water softener is designed to reduce the calcium, magnesium, and sometimes other minerals from the water before it enters your home. This process not only makes the water easier on appliances and plumbing but also improves overall water quality in the home.
Without a water softener, hard water can lead to clogged pipes and scale buildup in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. When hard water is heated, solid deposits of calcium carbonate—known as scale—form on appliances. This scale reduces water heater efficiency, clogs pipes, and increases energy costs. By softening water, homeowners can enjoy extended appliance life, lower maintenance needs, and overall better performance of their home’s water systems.
How Water Softeners Work
Salt-Based Water Softeners
Most traditional water softeners work through a process called ion exchange. In this process, calcium and magnesium ions in the water are swapped with sodium ions. This transformation occurs in a tank filled with resin beads that have been saturated with sodium. Softeners typically have two tanks, the resin tank and the brine tank. The resin tank contains resin beads, which is where the actual water softening takes place. The brine tank contains the water softener salt. As hard water passes through the resin tank, the sodium replaces the calcium and magnesium, resulting in softened water by the time it reaches your tap.
Once the resin beads are saturated with the minerals, the water softener system needs to regenerate, which involves flushing the beads with a salt brine solution to clear out the accumulated calcium and magnesium. For most households, this regeneration happens roughly once a week. A dual-tank water softener operates similarly but is better suited for larger homes, those using well water, or those with higher water demands. That’s because a dual-tank water softener can regenerate more often without interrupting the flow of soft water.
Salt-Free Water Conditioners
You may have heard of salt free water softeners. Salt free systems are not technically “softeners” because they don’t reduce the hardness of minerals in water. Instead, they alter these minerals to reduce scale buildup by changing the structure of calcium and magnesium ions, preventing them from adhering to surfaces. However, they may not be as effective for households with high hardness levels, which is common in Texas, or heavy water usage.
Magnetic Water Conditioners
Magnetic conditioners use electromagnetic fields to alter hard minerals in the water, though their effectiveness is still a matter of debate. While some homeowners report improved water quality, scientific studies on magnetic conditioners are inconclusive. For those interested in this technology, it may be worth consulting with an expert about what to expect in terms of performance.
Technology Advancements in Water Softeners
Recent advances have introduced smart water softeners that allow users to track water usage, monitor system performance, and adjust settings via smartphone apps. These devices offer real-time updates, usage reports, and notifications about regeneration cycles, making it easier to maintain efficient water management and avoid excess salt use. A high-efficiency, smart water softener is a great choice for those seeking optimal water quality and reduced environmental impact.
Benefits of a Water Softener
Using a water softener comes with a range of advantages that go beyond plumbing protection. Studies by the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF) show that softened water helps reduce scale in water-dependent appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters. This scale reduction not only extends the life of these appliances but also reduces the need for maintenance, saving both time and money.
In laundry applications, softened water has been shown to enhance stain removal while requiring less detergent and lower temperatures, which translates to cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint. Similarly, dishwashers using softened water require up to 70% less detergent than those using hard water. In the shower, soft water produces a rich lather and can lead to softer, healthier skin. It also reduces the need to scrub away frustrating limescale from glass doors and fixtures, making cleaning easier and more effective.
Proper Selection and Installation of a Water Softener
It’s essential to have a professional assess your water to ensure you select the right softener system. Different households have different water needs, and a proper water test will identify the specific minerals present to determine the best solution. Well water users, for example, may need pre-filtration systems, such as iron filters, to prevent excessive wear on their softeners.
At Elder’s Pure Water, we’re familiar with the unique water challenges in the Dallas, Fort Worth area. Our team can evaluate your water quality and recommend the ideal solution for your family and home with no obligation attached. Contact us online today or give us a call at 817-631-4967 for a consultation and a free basic water test—our experts are here to help you make the best choice for your water needs.