If you live in Pueblo County, Colorado, you may suffer from something known as hard water. “Hard” water is a term used to describe water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.
While hard water does not pose a risk to the health of our bodies, it can be dangerous for the health of our home’s plumbing system. Over time, these dissolved minerals can begin to accumulate in our pipes as sediment – causing clogs, reducing water flow, and affecting energy-efficiency.
Luckily for you, help is available from the experts at Patterson Plumbing. Our professional water treatment services can rid your home of hard water and the harm it causes.
How can I tell if my home has hard water?
A few key indicators of hard water include:
Funny taste or smell in your water.
Water spots on freshly-washed dishes.
Dull glassware and silverware.
Soap scum and residue in your sinks and shower.
Short lifespan for washing machines, dishwashers, showerheads, toilets, etc.
Sediment buildup in your water heater.
Soap doesn’t lather well.
Skin and hair feel dry, dirty, or agitated after showering.
How can water treatment services help?
Water softeners can remove dissolved minerals from your tap water through a process known as ion exchange. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the process:
Hard water enters your home plumbing system from the main water pipe or well.
The hard water travels to the professionally-installed water softener tank, which is filled with tiny beads, known as resin beads.
As the dissolved rock ions come into contact with the resin bead, and they are removed from the water.
The resin bead releases an ion of something else – generally sodium or potassium – in place of the rock, leaving your water “soft” and clean. Hence, ion exchange.
Once the resin beads become fully saturated with dissolved rock, they are washed with a saltwater solution. The beads grab onto the sodium particles and release the dissolved rock, where they are sent to be washed down the drain.
The process repeats indefinitely, keeping your water clean for future use.
Patterson Plumbing & Heating offers professional plumbing repairs and water softening solutions to homes in Pueblo and Canon City, Colorado. Contact us online to schedule your appointment, or give us a call at (719) 496-4939