{"id":104793,"date":"2021-02-17T22:17:56","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T03:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-938488-3267304.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=104793"},"modified":"2023-05-26T08:26:11","modified_gmt":"2023-05-26T12:26:11","slug":"water-softener-maintenance-101-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/watermatcher.com\/water-softener-maintenance-101-everything-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Water Softener Maintenance 101: Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\nYour water softener was a big investment, and you’re already enjoying the benefits of soft water on your skin and hair. You’re probably also enjoying the cost savings in cleaning products and in the increased lifespan of your appliances and plumbing. Now you need to learn about water softener maintenance and what steps you need to take to keep your water softener in prime condition.\n \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Softener Basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to understand the reasons for the steps we’ll outline for your water softener maintenance, you first need to understand how your water softener works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hard and Soft Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most municipal water sources and private wells that supply water to homes, provide water that is rich in minerals. This is referred to as \u201chard\u201d water. The minerals in the water tend to harden in pipes and on whatever surfaces the water touches, including your dishes and your skin and hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mineral deposits are not harmful, but they can have harmful effects. In pipes, the mineral buildup can occlude the pipe over time, reducing water flow. If you have hard water, you can see the buildup in your tub, shower and sink. This buildup is often called lime scale and is difficult to remove without using harsh chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On your dishes and any surfaces you clean with water, you will see spotting, and in pots and pans and kettles you will see a whitish buildup of calcium or lime over time. This can reduce the efficiency of your small appliances like electric kettles or coffee makers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How It Works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A water softener pumps tap water though a tank of tiny resin beads that attract the minerals out of the water and trap them. The water then continues into your house without the minerals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The water softener also has a tank of brine water\u2014water that is filled with dissolved salt. The salt water is pumped into the resin tank at regular intervals in a process called regeneration. The dissolved salt in the brine water pulls the minerals out of the resin beads, returning them to their original state. The brine water, now also full of minerals, gets discharged into a drain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the resin beads are clean and ready to absorb more of the minerals from the incoming water.<\/p>\n\n\n

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