| If your water comes from an underground well on | | | | the use of a water softening system and are |
| your property, it is a good bet that you have hard | | | | subject to hard water will notice rusty stains in sinks, |
| water. However, if you have municipal water - one | | | | toilets, washing machines and other water using |
| that comes from a town or city's water treatment | | | | appliances. Also, the minerals and elements will be |
| facility - the water has been ph balanced and | | | | allowed to build up within pipes causing flow problems |
| chlorinated and therefore not too hard or too soft, | | | | and leaking within the plumbing. You may notice a |
| although it is possible. A visual inspection of your | | | | sulfur smell coming from your faucets and an odd |
| dishes and dishwashing appliance could show you | | | | taste to the water. A water softening system |
| evidence of water hardness. If your dishes dry with | | | | virtually eliminates these problems. |
| spots, or your dishwasher is developing a rusty or | | | | With a water softener, you'll notice that a soapy |
| yellowish stain, you have hard water. | | | | lather is more easily attained. Dishes can be rinsed |
| Many rural homes use a well as the primary source | | | | easily and spotting on glasses and silverware will be |
| of H2O. Although the homeowner doesn't have to | | | | eliminated. You'll also notice that your clothes will feel |
| pay for water use, he or she will still have to take | | | | softer and cleaner, and brushing your teeth will |
| necessary steps to ensure the fluid is safe for | | | | produce a frothy foam. Your appliances will be safe |
| consumption. Removing bacteria and pathogens is | | | | from corrosion and staining - meaning they will last |
| necessary, however, doing this does not effectively | | | | longer, and your pipes will not be damaged by scale |
| remove the various minerals such as calcium, iron and | | | | build up. |
| magnesium that can cause damage to pipes and | | | | Having a well as your primary source of H2O can be |
| appliances. Using a softener will remove these | | | | a good thing, if you know how to properly care for |
| minerals to make the water safer for use within the | | | | the water that comes out of it. The type of land |
| appliances of the home. | | | | where the well is built determines the mineral content |
| A water softener system uses a salt solution (or a | | | | of well water. Chalky soil, for example, can result in |
| brine) to treat the fluid. Minerals are attracted to the | | | | higher calcium levels. Removing contaminates and |
| charged salt ions and are held in a tank while the | | | | bacteria is necessary, but don't forget to treat the |
| mineral-free water is free to pass throughout the | | | | water with a water softening system for its excess |
| home's plumbing. Homeowners that do not employ | | | | of calcium, iron, magnesium and other minerals. |