Are Water Softeners Necessary?

If youre a homeowner, you might not be paying much attention to the quality of your homes tap water. After all, most homeowners have tap water that is filtered and treated by their county or state, so what is there to worry about? But for some homeowners, especially those in places like Florida, there is another issue to be concerned about when it comes to their homes water: hard water. This spooky phrase is one that most homeowners recognize, but few understand exactly what it describes. Hard water contains a range of minerals, including calcium and magnesium, that alter its flavors and properties and potentially make it rather unpleasant for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. So how do homeowners combat the problems associated with hard water? Thankfully, theres an easy solution: water softeners. But are water softeners really necessary, and how can you tell if youd benefit from one? Read on to learn more.

Identifying Hard Water

The first step in deciding if you need a water softener is determining if you have hard water. The best method for determining your homes water profile is to work with a water treatment professional and undertake specific testing, but there are a few signs that homeowners should look out for:

Spots and Stains

The first sign that many homeowners with hard water notice is telltale red or rust-colored spots on their dinnerware. These stains particularly affect metal objects, so you mightve noticed them on forks, knives, or other utensils, but theyre often a sure sign of hard water.

Unpleasant Taste

If your water tastes slightly off and you cant quite figure out exactly why, it could be a sign of hard water. Beware, however, that a particularly strong taste could be a sign of other, more serious problems.

Ineffective Soap

Have you ever noticed that the soap at home doesnt seem to produce lather? Whether youve noticed this in the shower or while doing the dishes, a lack of lather is usually a sign of hard water.

Crunchy Clothing and Hair

Because soap is less effective in hard water, you might notice your hair or clothes feel stiff or crunchy after washing. This is a sign that your soap is not lathering or rinsing properly and that your home likely has hard water.

Is a Water Softener Right for You?

As you can see, most symptoms of hard water are simply inconvenient and dont pose any specific danger to homeowners. Indeed, if your home has municipal water that is deemed "hard," it is likely entirely safe for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. So, the good news is that there is a very high probability that your hard water isnt harming your family. But that doesnt mean youre stuck with it.

Water Softeners Offer a Convenient Solution

While hard water might seem difficult to tackle, with help from water treatment experts, eliminating it in the home is easy. At Pure Energy Water & Air, we offer whole-home water softener systems from RainSoft® that can eliminate hard water for good. Depending on the system you choose, your entire home can enjoy soft water right from the taps and stop worrying about all the problems associated with high mineral content. To find out more about our residential water treatment systems, contact Pure Energy Water & Air today.