Why Install a Water Softener?
Water softeners are designed to treat hard water. Hard water contains minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. Though not dangerous, hard water can leave water spots on your dishes, create a film on your shower tiles, and cause scale buildup in your pipes and appliances. Water softeners work to remove these minerals from your water. In addition to helping combat scale buildup, water softeners can also help improve the smell and taste of your water.
Review our blog to learn more about the disadvantages of hard water.
Two Different Types of Water Softener
It used to be that the only way to soften your water would be to install a water softener with a tank (or a dual tank) which then softened water as needed. In many ways, traditional water softeners are like conventional water heaters: they perform their task well but are bulky and not as efficient as they could be. However, just as we now have tankless water heaters, we also have a tankless option for water softening.
In-line water softeners utilize an induction method to transmit low-frequency signals throughout your plumbing system. They work continuously to soften your water by reversing the ionic charge on the calcium and magnesium in your water. Just as with new, tankless water heaters, these new in-line systems only need a small, unobtrusive unit installed on your wall.
At All City Plumbing, Air & Electrical, we specialize in installing the Flow-Tech MAX Anti-Scale System. Flow-Tech's innovative system treats your home's water 24/7. Installation can be done in less than an hour, and you'll have year-long, effective water softening. If you are struggling with hard water, we recommend looking into this innovative system. Send us a message online to find out if the Flow-Tech Max Anti-Scale System is right for your home.
Other Ways to Reduce Scale Buildup in Your Home
In addition to installing a water softener, there are other ways you can help combat the damaging effects of hard water and reduce scale buildup in your pipes and appliance. From quick and easy DIY treatments to working with a licensed plumber, we are here to help you say goodbye to buildup. Keep reading to learn more.
Use a Rinse Aid in Your Dishwasher
If you are struggling with water spots or a film on your glasses and dishes after running the dishwasher, you may want to add a rinse aid to your dishwasher. Most dishwashers have a small compartment specifically for a rinse aid next to where you place your detergent. For those that don't, you may be able to buy a dishwashing detergent with an included rinse aid in it. Both of these options can be incredibly helpful for combating scale on your dishware.
You should also run your dishwasher with the high-heat drying feature. Furthermore, if your dishwasher tends to leave your dishes very wet, even after running the heat dry setting, you should either crack your dishwasher door open to help steam and moisture escape or remove the dishes and finish drying them by hand.
Make a Vinegar Rinse for Your Shower
Do the water spots on your shower door drive you crazy? Have you noticed that your bathroom tiles have a film over them? This may be caused by hard water buildup. An easy way to help reduce scale from building up on the surfaces in your shower is to apply a vinegar rinse after every shower. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. While the walls and shower door are still wet, mist this mixture over the shower's surfaces.
Descale Your Appliances
Many small appliances in your home are susceptible to limescale. Coffee makers, instant kettles, and in-refrigerator water filters can all suffer from clogs and buildup when you have hard water. To keep scale buildup at bay, you should descale your small appliances regularly. Many of these appliances even have a dedicated descale notification and process you can run that makes the process easy and fast.
It is recommended that you descale your appliances every three months. However, if you have very hard water, you may want to do this more frequently or whenever you notice that buildup is forming.
Schedule Routine Sewer Cleaning
Hard water is particularly tough on our sewer lines. Over time, limescale builds up in our sewer pipe, leading to a narrowing of the line. This narrowing ultimately leads to clogs and can damage the pipe itself. To keep your sewer line free from scale buildup, you should schedule professional sewer cleaning or hydrojetting every two years (for older homes, you may need to have your sewer line cleaned more often).
Are you struggling with scale buildup due to hard water? Reach out to All City Plumbing, Air & Electrical to find out how we can help.