Do I Need a Water Softener Living in Orlando?

You maybe be wondering how hard the water is and whether a water softener living in the surrounding areas of Orlando Florida is needed for you. We drink water every single day meaning it’s probably one of the activities we think about least. Turning on a facet and pouring yourself a glass should be the same regardless of where you do it. Unfortunately, that’s simply not the case. Water is different everywhere in the world and that’s regardless of whether you live in a country with strong sanitation systems like American. Hard water is a problem you don’t want to deal with and when you live in states like Florida it needs extra consideration. So, if you are from the Orlando area and are considering whether to buy a water softener, here’s what you need to know.

What is Hard vs. Soft Water?

When we talk about hard or soft water, what we really mean is how many minerals or metals are dissolved in it. Water that comes from reservoirs pass through substances like limestone which filters these minerals into the water. The more of these minerals and metals the water contains, the harder it is considered. Water hardness is measured in milligrams per litre (mg/L) which refers to having many milligrams of minerals in each litre of water. According to USGS, 61 to 120 mg/L as moderately hard; 121 to 180 mg/L as hard; and more than 180 mg/L as very hard

Does Orlando have Hard Water?

As with much of Florida, Orlando is considered to be a hard water area, with 129 mg/L. The water is also known to have a somewhat unpleasant taste due to the nature of the hard water and can give trouble with plumbing and appliances. As such, many people opt for a water softener.

For more info on water hardness in Florida cities, check out this table from HydroFlow USA:

Is Hard Water Bad for You?

Hard water is, on its own, not a big health risk, but it does come with other issues that can make it problematic. It can harden and damage your appliances (like kettles), pipes and even your boiler. It also has an odd taste making it unpleasant for many people to drink.

The minerals that are found in excess in hard water can make the water in your pipes an annoying problem. It can lead to limescale, add a foggy layer to dishes after washing and leave a slimy sludge when not properly dried from surfaces.  When it hardens, it can do real damage to your pipes which will need to be replaced more regularly as a result.

The minerals in hard water are generally safe, but excess amounts can also indicate other more harmful substances in your water too… so watch out.

Should you get a Water Softener in Orlando? 

A water softener is highly recommended if you live in Orlando. The water is not only hard, but it also is known to taste slightly metallic which can give an unpleasant sensation. It can cause long term piping issues and damage your appliances.

Here are some of the benefits to getting a water softener:

• Helps you protect your pipes, appliances and boiler
• Better quality of drinking water
• A better tasting water
• No more soap scum
• No more slimy residue
• Requires less detergent to clean clothes
• More efficient to boil making energy bills cheaper

How do Water Softeners Work?

Water softeners work via a process called ion exchange, where calcium and magnesium ions are collected by very small resin beads that are charged with either sodium or potassium ions. This means that when the calcium and magnesium ions flow through the small resin beads, they are collected by the beads and then replaced with sodium or potassium ions.

Most water softeners are made of a tank with a wide brine. The softener is connected to your water supply line. The softeners are then filled with tiny resin beads that are sealed in the tank. The brine tank has a removable lid filled with salt pellets and potassium chloride pellets.

When water gets into the tank, it flows through the resin beads. The resin beads have a negative charge, and it then attracts the positively charged minerals found in the water. The water softeners work by eliminating magnesium and calcium that is found in hard water. Once all these minerals are removed from the water, the “hardness” is gone and you're left with pure, soft water ready for drinking and using.

Summary

Hard water is not something you want to deal with willingly. It can cause all kinds of problems, including damaging your pipes and appliances, inflating energy and cleaning costs and generally tasting pretty bad. As like much of Florida, Orlando has hard tap water which has all the problems we’ve mentioned above. So, it’s our recommendation that you absolutely get yourself a water softener. It will immediately improve the quality of your water while also bringing down long term costs.