Hard water is caused by minerals dissolved in the water supply. These minerals can reduce the effectiveness of laundry detergents and can have a damaging effect on your skin as well. Investing in a water-softening system installed by a reliable Houston plumber can help you manage these issues and can ensure the cleanest clothes and the most comfortable living conditions for you and your family. Here are some facts you and your family should know about water-softening systems for your Houston home.
How Do Water Softeners Work?
A water softening system typically uses resin beads to remove minerals from hard water that enters the system. These resin beads are chemically charged to attract and trap mineral deposits, allowing soft, conditioned water to be delivered to your home for use in washing clothes, drinking and all other necessary tasks. The resin beads in your water softener require rinsing and chemical recharging to continue to remove minerals over time. This is accomplished by adding sodium chloride or potassium chloride to the water softener. Each of these additives offers advantages and drawbacks for your health and the effectiveness of your system.
Sodium Chloride Additives
Better known as salt, sodium chloride is used to create a brine that can release mineral deposits from the resin beads inside your water softener. This happens during the regeneration cycle of your system, after which the depleted brine and mineral deposits are rinsed away. Sodium chloride can pose some risks to individuals on low-sodium diets and may not be the best choice for the environment. Your Houston residential plumber can provide you with added options that can eliminate the problems associated with salt consumption and release into the water table.
Upgrading to Potassium Chloride
In some cases, potassium chloride can be used as a replacement for sodium chloride. This chemical compound works in the same way that sodium chloride does to recharge and regenerate the resin beads used to remove minerals from hard water. The potassium in potassium chloride is a necessary nutrient that can improve health for adults and children and is safe for the environment, making it a solid choice for recharging your water-softening system safely.
At Santhoff Plumbing Company, we offer expert Houston water heater repair, water softening systems, and complete plumbing services for your home or business. We have more than four decades of experience in the plumbing industry, making us a reliable choice for all your plumbing needs. Call us today at (713) 360-2185 to schedule an appointment with our team of plumbing professionals. We believe you will be pleased that you did.