Here in Bellville, OH, hard water is a persistent problem for homeowners. Hard water refers to tap water with high levels of dissolved minerals. It can have an array of adverse effects on your plumbing and health. The good news is that you can install a water softener to eliminate the problem. There are two primary water-softening options to choose from, and they are salt-based and salt-free water softener systems, so here’s how each one works and how to choose between them.
Salt-Based Water Softeners
As their name suggests, salt-based water softener systems use salt to enable their operation. They use an ion exchange process that removes excess minerals from your incoming water supply. That process substitutes sodium ions for the minerals in the water.
Salt-based water softeners contain two tanks to facilitate the ion exchange process. One tank holds a brine supply made using salt, which you must periodically add to the system. The other tank contains resin beads. The beads have a negative atomic charge and innumerable microscopic pores on their surface.
Before the water-softening process begins, the softener pumps the brine solution into the bead tank. As the beads soak in the brine, they attract positively charged sodium ions. After a preset charge time, the system pumps the brine out of the bead tank and down the drain.
Next, the system begins letting incoming tap water into the bead tank. As the water washes over the beads, they attract positively charged mineral ions contained in the water. Since those minerals have a stronger positive charge than the sodium ions, the two trade places. That treated water then leaves the system to go out to the rest of your home. Once the resin beads run out of sodium ions, the brine recharge process begins again. That process also flushes the collected minerals out of the system.
The Advantages of Salt-Based Water Softeners
Installing a salt-based water softener in your home comes with some significant benefits. One of them is that it can eliminate scale buildup in your pipes and on your fixtures. If you’ve ever noticed a white, chalky buildup on your faucets and in your sinks, that’s scale. Over time, scale buildup in your pipes can lead to clogs and harm the overall efficiency of your plumbing. Scale buildup can also shorten the life of water heaters, clothes washers, and dishwashers. Beyond that, hard water can lead to dry skin and unsightly soap scum. That happens because hard water often prevents soap from properly lathering or rinsing.
Salt-based water softeners are also very cost-effective. They cost an average of $1,500 to install and last around 15 years. Plus, salt is the only consumable they use and is extremely inexpensive. Most households will require a single 40-pound bag of sodium chloride each month, which costs as little as $5.
Some homeowners even report better-tasting water after installing a salt-based water softener. This is because the minerals and metals in hard water often combine to impart a chalky taste.
The Disadvantages of Salt-Based Water Softeners
Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages to using a salt-based water softener. One is that you end up with tap water containing non-trivial quantities of sodium in it. While you likely won’t taste it, it can be problematic for anyone on a low-sodium diet. It is possible to substitute potassium chloride for sodium chloride to eliminate the problem. However, doing so may add to your operating costs.
Additionally, some municipalities don’t allow the use of salt-based water softeners. The reason is that the wastewater from the brine rinse can pose a risk to local aquifers. They also waste some water as a consequence of the water-softening process.
Salt-Free Water Softeners
Salt-free water softeners offer an alternative to conventional salt-based systems. However, calling them water softeners is a bit of a misnomer. Such systems are more aptly called descalers or water conditioners. Instead of removing minerals from your water to soften it, salt-free systems crystalize it instead. The minerals remain in your water in that form but aren’t as apt to stick to your pipes and fixtures.
Most salt-free water softeners rely on a process called template-assisted crystallization (TAC). It also uses resin beads to function. However, the beads in a salt-free system aren’t porous. Instead, their surfaces have microscopic indentations called nucleation sites. They trap magnesium and calcium ions as water flows over them. The shape of the indentations encourages those ions to organize into crystalline structures. Once a crystal grows sufficiently, it breaks off to reenter the water stream.
The Advantages of Salt-Free Water Softeners
The biggest advantage of salt-free water softeners is that they don’t add sodium ions to your water. That means you can install one anywhere to reap its benefits. It also means they’re safe for people with salt sensitivities. Also, salt-free systems don’t use electricity, so they’re inexpensive to operate.
Another advantage salt-free water softeners offer is that they don’t waste water. With no brine solution to flush, salt-free systems don’t need drainage connections. Most also come with water filtration built-in, which can remove chlorine and other unwanted chemicals.
The Disadvantages of Salt-Free Water Softeners
The main disadvantage of salt-free water softeners is that they leave troublesome minerals in your water. While crystalizing those minerals slows scale buildup, it doesn’t eliminate it. Leaving the excess minerals in your water means you also get no relief from hard water’s other side effects. For example, conditioned water may still dry out your skin and prevent soaps from rinsing thoroughly. Also, depending on your chosen system, a salt-free water softener may not cost much less than a salt-based system.
Choosing Between the Two
Choosing between a salt-based and salt-free water softener typically comes down to a few factors. One is what you’re trying to accomplish. A salt-free system is a good option if you’re primarily interested in reducing scale. They work well to protect your plumbing and appliances without many ongoing expenses. However, if you want to improve the feel of your water while preventing scale, choose a salt-based system. Also, a salt-based system is typically the best option if your home has extremely hard water. In those cases, the beneficial effects provided by a salt-free conditioner may not be as pronounced.
Your Local Hard Water Elimination Experts
No matter which type of water softener you want, WaterBird Home Water Solutions can help. We’re a family-owned and operated business that’s served Belleville residents for over 40 years. We’re fully licensed and insured for your protection. Our team of water quality experts understands the common water challenges of our area and how to surmount them. Plus, we’ll test your water to get an idea what we must do for your unique situation, and we’ll offer only water-softening systems from reputable and reliable manufacturers. We also offer salt monitoring and delivery solutions so that, if you have a sodium-based system, you never get caught without the salt you need.
We’re also better Business Bureau accredited and adhere to the highest professional standards. But you don’t have to take our word. Instead, check out some of the testimonials from our long list of satisfied customers. When you need a water-softening solution for your Bellville home, contact WaterBird Home Water Solutions immediately!
