Water softeners are devices that remove minerals such as calcium and magnesium from hard water. Hard water is water that contains high levels of these minerals, which can cause a variety of problems, such as clogging pipes, reducing the efficiency of appliances that use water, and leaving spots on dishes and shower doors.
Water softeners work by using an ion exchange process, where the hard minerals are replaced with sodium ions. The water flows through a resin bed that contains small plastic beads that are coated with sodium ions. As the water passes through the resin bed, the hard minerals attach to the resin beads, and the sodium ions are released into the water. The softened water then flows out of the water softener and into the home’s plumbing system.
Water softeners need to be periodically regenerated to remove the accumulated hard minerals from the resin bed. This is done by flushing the resin bed with a brine solution that contains high levels of sodium ions. The brine solution displaces the hard minerals that have attached to the resin beads and replaces them with sodium ions.
Water softeners come in different sizes and types, including portable and whole-house systems. Portable water softeners are small and can be easily moved from one location to another. Fitt Hydro-Systems installs whole-house water softeners at the main water supply line and treat all of the water that enters the home.
It’s important to note that while water softeners can improve the quality of the water, they do add sodium to the water. For individuals who need to limit their sodium intake, alternative methods of water treatment may be necessary.
