Water Softeners in Columbia City, IN
Columbia City, IN, is a small, family-oriented community. Many of the residents here own their own homes, which is a true blessing. However, this also means taking on the responsibilities of home maintenance. One common maintenance issue that homeowners here deal with is hard water.
What Causes Hard Water?
Hard water has a higher-than-average concentration of various minerals. These are usually calcium and magnesium. Copper, chlorine, and iron can also exist in hard water in some cases. These high concentrations come from water that flows through mineral deposits before reaching your faucet.
Water is arranged in the following classes:
- Soft < 75 MG Per Liter
- Moderately Hard = 76 – 150 MG Per Liter
- Hard = 151 – 300 MG Per Liter
- Very Hard > 300 MG Per Liter
If your water is hard or very hard, you will likely notice some problems with your home’s plumbing and water.
How to Tell If You Have Hard Water
There are some in-home tests you can try that will indicate whether you have hard water or not. The most popular is the soap test. Fill a clear water bottle ⅓ full of water, and add a few drops of liquid soap. Put the lid on, and shake it vigorously. If it fails to lather, and the water becomes milky and cloudy, you have hard water. You can also see if you notice any of the symptoms described below.
Impacts of Hardware Buildup
It isn’t harmful to drink hard water. However, many people believe it tastes bad. In addition to that, hard water can cause a lot of maintenance difficulties for homeowners.
Hard water can cause scales to build up in your pipes and on your fixtures. These are mineral deposits that can clog fixtures and cause pipes to narrow significantly. That narrowing can impact water pressure and damage plumbing. Also, if you have ever seen a clogged showerhead with a weak spray, that’s usually caused by hard water buildup.
What’s more, hard water can also stain your sinks and bathtubs. These stains can be nearly impossible to remove with standard household cleaners. When you wash clothing using hard water, the detergent you use isn’t as effective. Clothes often come out of the wash stiff and dingy. It also clogs appliances that use water, so they break down quickly.
These are just the issues that hard water can cause inside your Columbia City, IN home. Hard water can stain your sidewalks and driveways, as well.
Finally, don’t forget the negative impact on the people in your home. Untreated hard water can leave a film on the skin that can clog pores, cause dry or itchy skin, aggravate eczema, and even break hair. Shampoos, soaps, facial cleansers, and body washes simply don’t work like they should if your water contains a higher concentration of minerals.
Water Softener Installation In Columbia City, IN
If you’ve noticed signs of hard water in your home, it may be time to contact a plumber about installing a water softener. This solution will help ensure that your water-based appliances last longer, prevent expensive plumbing damage, and improve the condition of your skin and hair. Soft water also helps detergents and cleaners work more effectively.
Water softeners work by exchanging the charged ions in sodium with the negatively charged ions in magnesium and calcium. That creates soft water.
If you decide to have a new water softener installed, a plumber from Summers Plumbing will be happy to help. Water softeners come in a variety of sizes. Your plumber will measure the size of your home and take the number of bathrooms and other rooms under consideration. That will help them to estimate the ideal water softening system for your home.
Water Softener Repair
What happens if you already have a water softener but notice signs of trouble? You may be able to call out a plumber to repair your water softener. Here are some common fixes that our team can take care of for you:
- Adding new salt to the water softener
- Fixing clogged tubing
- Unsticking the float switch
Our technicians will clean and inspect your water softener to ensure that everything is back in working order.
Water Softener Replacement
With proper care, your water softener can last up to 15 years. However, most softeners don’t operate under optimal conditions, and they may need replacing sooner. If you have an older unit, you might take this opportunity to upgrade to a newer, better water softener.
Get Help With Your Hard Water Problems Today
You may have already googled, “who can install a water softener near me?” And so you’re probably already dealing with the headache of hard water. Fortunately, we can help with that. Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling has experienced plumbers who can quickly install, repair, or replace your water heater. Just contact us today to set up an appointment!
