Monday, August 8, 2011

How To Find Out If Your Home Water Softeners Are Working

Water softening systems are home or industrial appliances that remove elements of hard water such as magnesium and calcium from running water in your plumbing system. There are different types of softening systems like those that swap hard and soft ions by the use of sodium beads or resins. Other systems filter the water to separate the calcium and magnesium from your household water supply.

water softener systems

What Home Water Softeners Can Do For You

WATER SOFTENER

Water softening systems can help reduce the ill effects of hard water in your household's plumbing and reduce sediments from clogging your pipes. These machines can lower your plumbing maintenance costs and prevent you from buying or repairing appliances like coffee makers and shower heaters too often.

These softeners can improve the way your washing machines or dishwashers work and prevent stiff laundry and cloudy glassware. Some people get dry skin and hair with hard water which can be prevented by using a softening system in your home or bathroom.

Another thing these appliances can do is to stop hard water from staining your toilet, bathroom tiles, bath tubs and sinks. Hard ions leave orange or brownish residue that are difficult to remove once they stain. It will take lots of scrubbing and very strong toxic chemicals to get rid of them.

How To Detect If Home Water Softeners Are Working

Sometimes our appliances stop working or become defective after a long period of time. If you suspect that your softening system may be broken or is not working properly, then you should test your system first before purchasing a new softener. It is also possible that your system just needs minor adjustments.

One way to check if your water softener is not working properly is to find out if you have enough sodium resin beads in your appliance. Sodium beads swap hard ions with soft ones and if your sodium beads are saturated with hard elements, it may stop doing its job properly. You might have to add more sodium to your machine or replace them with a fresh batch of sodium resin beads.

You can also test your water softness or hardness from your kitchen by boiling a pot of tap water for about 15 to 25 minutes. Let it cool down to room temperature and check the bottom of your pot for white colored residue. If the bottom of your pot is coated in white powdery substance then it means that your water is not soft enough. The water that was boiled may also contain white particles floating around.

If you see the same kind of whitish residue or stains inside your dishwasher then your softening system may not be working efficiently. Check your glasses and plates for white stains and a cloudy appearance. If you notice that your shower head or faucets are producing weak water pressure, then your plumbing fixtures may be blocked by calcium deposits.

Hard water also prevents soap and shampoo from lathering well. You should notice a change in the shower when you bathe or difficulty in getting laundry clean if your water is hard. Check your skin and hair for dryness and your laundry for stiffness. Look for discoloration on your bathroom tiles, sink and tub. A yellowish shade is the first sign of hardness before they start to leave darker stains.

What To Do If Your Softener Is Not Working Right

If you discover that your softening system is not working right, you can check your settings on the softener's control panel. Maybe your settings are too low for your hardness level. See if you have enough softening ingredients like sodium or potassium. Check the power source to the machine and see if the water flow between the hose of the softener and your main household pipe is not interrupted.

If problems persist after making some adjustments, it might be a good idea to have a plumber check it out. You can also have someone at a water softening dealer inspect your system. You might just need some repairs on your present softening system or make some adjustments with the brine injection system.

Your softening appliance should be maintained by a professional occasionally to extend its life and improve efficiency. Most home water softeners can last for up to 15 years or more if they are properly maintained by a professional.

How To Find Out If Your Home Water Softeners Are Working

WATER SOFTENER

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