If you have hard water, you may be considering a water softener. Water softeners are devices you can install into your water tank to cleanse the water, ridding it of the chemicals that can get in your hair, on your dishes, and in your mop water.
If you’re wondering, “How do water softeners work?” then allow Triangle Plumbing Services, certified plumbers in Midlothian, VA, to explain everything you need to know.
What’s a Water Softener?
A water softener is a device you install on your water tank that removes the minerals from hard water. Hard water goes through pipes built up with calcium and other minerals. Traveling through these pipes causes the buildup to gather in the water, giving your water a mineral-y taste and texture, resulting in clothing stiffness, residue on dishes, and a hardness in your hair after you shower.
A water softener helps get rid of these minerals, keeping them out of your drinking and bathing water. Since these minerals harden later on, having a water softener can help your appliances avoid the ordeal and last much longer. Getting a water softener can help you save money in the long run, not to mention the effort of cleaning dishes a second time to rid them of the soap scum that comes from hard water.
How Do Water Softeners Work?
Water softeners use ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium from the water. Water goes through your softener, flowing through a collection of resin beads inside the softener. These beads have a negative ion charge, while calcium and magnesium have a positive cation charge. This attracts the minerals to the beads, removing them from the water.
While this method of removing hard water is useful, there are a few notes concerning installing one in your home. For instance, the water that results is good water for you, but the device pours salty water down the drain as the water softener works.
For that reason, sometimes water softeners aren’t available in all areas. Your plumber will advise you whether your Midlothian home is a good candidate for a water softener.
Water Softener Mechanisms (and How They Work)
If you’re wondering “How do water softeners work?” right down to the individual parts, we have a water softening process explanation for each part. The working principle of water softeners begins and ends with various tanks, which we’ll explain below:
Mineral Tank
How water softening systems function is by moving the water from tank to tank, removing minerals with each tank. The mineral tank is responsible for softening the hard water. This is where the resin beads are, removing the minerals from the water as it flows through, hence the tank’s name.
After flowing through the beads, the water moves from the end of the mineral tank to the rest of the mechanism and to your appliances or faucets.
Control Valve
Your control valve monitors the water flow in and out of the machine. Inside the valve is a meter that tracks how much water goes through the mineral tank, tracking volume and time for each cycle. As your water softener works, the control valve monitors the beads’ ability to soften the water. This bead capacity is already programmed into the machine so that it knows how often to run a regeneration cycle.
Brine Tank
The brine tank starts the regeneration process. Just next to the mineral tank, the brine tank uses salt to restore your resin beads when they need a recharge. When the control valve senses that the resin beads need more charge, it will activate the brine solution, flushing it from the brine tank to your beads so that they can soften the water.
How Much Does It Cost To Install a Water Softener in Midlothian?
Generally, a water softener will cost anywhere between $500 to $1,500 to purchase. This doesn’t count installation costs, as you shouldn’t DIY a water installation. Keep in mind that when you buy a water softener, you aren’t just buying something to filter your water; you’re buying an investment for your entire home.
A water softener can make the difference between comfortable and uncomfortable water when you shower, wash your dishes, and more.
Learn Everything You Need To Know With Triangle Plumbing Service in Midlothian, VA
Not that you know the answer to the question, “How do water softeners work?” why not get one installed today? Scheduling water softener installation and understanding water softener operation is an easy process when you have professionals on hand. To get a free consultation about your plumbing, appliances, and more, call Triangle Plumbing Services today at 802-207-8217.
