The water hardness level in Gilbert, AZ, has always been an issue. Without a water softener system, you will surely see scale buildup on showerheads, faucets, and other water-using appliances. For homes in Gilbert, the best solution is to have a water softener installed in your home.
Though water softening systems may look costly at first, understanding their benefits and how they work can help you find value in installing one in your home. Today, there are different water softeners available in the market. One is critical to ensure your plumbing system is free from mineral deposits and help ensure clean tap water. This article discusses different options available to you.
Five Types of Water Softener Systems
Each water softener system uses different principles to prevent the water you consume from containing hard water. They will either remove minerals or make these substances inactive, like salt-free water softener systems.
Ion-Exchange Water Softener Systems (Salt-based)
Salt-based water softeners provide soft water to homes requiring high pressure or flow rates. Ion-exchange water softener systems are characterized by having two tanks. A water softener tank, which contains the water softener beads, and the brine tank, which contains the salt that is required for its regeneration process.
In an ion-exchange water softener system, the negatively-charged water softener resin beads attract calcium and magnesium minerals and replace these with sodium ions. Though this water softener system can handle high water flow rates, these systems require frequent maintenance. It is essential to regenerate the resin to ensure that the ion exchange process works efficiently. Certain people also don’t prefer having slightly salty water in their taps.
Portable Water Softeners
Portable water softeners typically available in Arizona are compact-size versions of the salt-based system. Their diminutive size makes them ideal for long road trips or RV travelers. They don’t require electricity to operate. Because of the low volume of water handled, they don’t require the same maintenance as large salt-water softener systems. Like salt-based water softeners, regeneration is required. However, you only need small quantities of table salt for salt refills.
Salt-Free Systems
Salt-free systems achieve water softening using a different working principle than salt-based water softeners. Instead of ion exchange, salt-free water softeners neutralize hard water minerals using chelation in the case of citric acid-based systems. These ensure that these hard water minerals don’t stick together to form hard water deposits or threaten health.
Salt-free water softener systems are more expensive for the same capacity as salt-based systems. Though they are less costly in the long run because of fewer maintenance requirements, they are not recommended for areas with a high level of hard water minerals in the supply water.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Larger whole home systems include functions and features that remineralize your water supply with beneficial minerals in drinking water. Reverse osmosis systems contain more than reverse osmosis water softeners. The entire system also filters out other contaminants.
Because reverse osmosis systems contain more components, these are more expensive than either salt-based or salt-free systems.
Magnetic Water Softeners
Magnetic water softeners are the latest iteration of water softening systems. These are ideal for medium average water usage for homes with lesser dissolved minerals. The working principles to produce softened water is different from other water softeners because it creates a magnetic field to keep the positively charged ions from bonding together.
Do I Need a Water Softener?
A common misconception from homeowners is that you only need water softener systems if your water supply is from a private well. The water quality of specific communities, such as Gilbert, contains a high level of hard water minerals. Other signs that you need water softeners are soap scum, stiff towels, or mineral deposits around your pipes. Moreover, hard water is unsuitable for showers because it may result in dry skin. Hard water also puts your water heater at risk because of fouling.
Conclusion: What is The Best Water Softener System Should I Choose in Gilbert?
The water hardness level in the region is high. Salt-free systems, shower-mounted water softeners, and portable systems may need to be more capable of handling the amount of hard water minerals in your water supply. However, certain homes may be unique. Other water softener systems, such as reverse osmosis water softeners, may satisfy your needs. To know more about your home’s specific water softener requirements to determine the best water softener for your home, call us at (480) 649-4400. We offer water softener and filtration system installation and maintenance services. Please also fill out our contact form for a free quote.
