Water Hardness In Austin, Texas and Should I Get a Water Softener
If you are living in Austin, Texas, you may have heard people talking about the hardness of the water. However, you may wonder what hard water is. Is it harmful to the body? Is it just a myth? Well, this article will answer your questions about water hardness in Austin, Texas and what you can do about it. So, let’s understand how bad the quality of water is in Texas.
Hard water contains calcium and magnesium, causing many issues. That does not mean that hard water is unhealthy or causes severe health problems, however it still affects your quality of life. Furthermore, hard water also impacts your plumbing system. Let us understand it in depth.
What is Hard Water?
Water hardness in Austin, Texas is due to the enrichment of water with mineral content. When the water flows through mineral deposits such as chalk and limestone it collects, magnesium and calcium particles. But, how can you find out if the water you receive is hard or soft water? The simple way is to check the surface surrounding the water. If the water in your neighborhood is high in mineral content, you will notice the following signs:
· Surface Spots once Water Dries
If you notice the light-colored stain on the surface where you spilled the water, it indicates that the water contains minerals. These stains are the residue of minerals left after water evaporates. You can also observe these mineral scale deposits in the washbasin.
A line appears in the washbasin after the water flows through the sinkhole. In addition, a light film may also be also visible on the plates when the water evaporates. You can remove the water spots by rinsing the surface with specific powders and liquids.
· Washing Clothes in Hard Water
Clothes washed with hard water also turn stiff and scratchy. This happens because of leftover minerals. You can use a fabric softener to minimize the effect of hard water. While washing the clothes with clean water, you will notice light brown stuff deposit on the clothes. This appears because of mineral deposits in your pipelines. Many people complain about the water hardness in Austin, Texas and use numerous techniques to reduce the mineral levels from the water.
Water Hardness in Austin, Texas Buildup Minerals in Pipelines
Hard water deposits scaly residue of minerals inside your pipeline system. This can clog your faucets and appliances such as dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines. For instance, a water heater starts gathering scale on the floor of the unit. This creates a solid layer preventing the heater from heating the water. If you live in Austin, Texas, you need to flush out the water heater once a year, which will enhance the life of your appliance. Another optimal solution for mineral accumulation is installing a filtration system such as a water softener.
What Is A Water Softener?
In simple words, a water filtration system reduces the calcium and magnesium concentrations from the water. Because these components increase the hardness level of the water, reducing them will result in softened water. Installing a water softening system can be difficult for those on a budget. However, there are some less expensive and daunting products as well. But, before making any decision, let’s understand the mechanism of the system.
A water softener functions through an ion-exchange process and removes the minerals responsible for the hardness of the water. The resin beads present in the tank replace the mineral ions with sodium or potassium ions. As a result, hard water does not enter your home.
Difference between a Salt versus Salt Less Water Softener
Some house owners worried about water hardness in Austin, Texas find whole house softeners a worthwhile option. These options are effective for reducing the minerals from the water. This softener replaces minerals from water with sodium ions, and is effective for reducing the hardness level of water.
The neighborhoods in Texas benefit form this option because it adds plenty of sodium to the water. When there is an immense amount of minerals in the water, the system requires more sodium for the ionization process. Due to that, the water you receive contains enormous sodium components. This can be dangerous for people with cardiovascular conditions.
There are various other technologies for decreasing the mineral components without adding any other minerals. These include reverse osmosis systems and a salt-free water softener. Speaking about salt-free water softeners, they eliminate hard water minerals without adding sodium or building up minerals in the pipelines.
Rather than replacing the ions, salt-free water softeners crystallize the components through the crystallization process. That way, the minerals do not stick to your clothes, dishes, and pipelines. There isn’t any harm in consuming magnesium and calcium as these minerals are the normal dietary requirement of our body.
What are the Benefits of a Water Softener?
Here are some benefits of whole house water softener systems:
1. Saves Money
Soft water does not contain mineral ions. This means less buildup in your pipeline system. However, with hard water, the mineral deposit can choke your pipeline system over time. As a result, you need to spend a massive amount on repairs and maintenance. Furthermore, buildups also narrow down the pipes developing high pressure. This can also wreak havoc on the appliances. However, when you install a water softener in your house, you can save plenty of money on the replacement of your appliances such as coffee machines, dishwashers, and laundry machines.
2. Cleaner Hair and Softer Skin
Hard water also damages your skin and hair when you take a shower or bath. Because water with mineral ions is insoluble, it forms instant soap scum. Soft water does not contain these minerals, so the soap lather can go deeper into your skin.
3. Brighter and Softer Clothes
Soft water will bring back the soft touch to your clothes. However, hard water makes your clothes stiff and delicate. So installing a water softener will preserve the look and feel of your clothes.
You can read about our other popular reviews on Culligan, Kinetico, Rayne Water, and waterboss.
Conclusion
Installing a water softener system is not necessarily vital. However, if you are worried about the accumulation of minerals, you opting for a water softener system would be a wise choice.
If you want to improve your home and the environment, you can soften your water, but, there are other solutions as well. For instance, you can install a reverse osmosis filtration system in your home. This will improve the smell, taste, and look of the water and filter out the components without adding sodium and other minerals to your water.
