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Water Softener Installation
What is water “hardness?”
Good question. We’re all familiar with water
softeners, or at least that they’re in every house, but
what do they do? Let’s do a brief overview of this
poorly understood--but essential--appliance.
Water hardness is a measurement of minerals
Primarily calcium and magnesium, based on
information from the United States Geological
Survey (USGS). The USGS mentions two simple
tests to check if your water may be insufficiently
softened.
1.
Wash your hands. If you notice that after
washing (yes, with soap) you have a slimy
feeling on your hands, or you tend to use extra
soap to try to get rid of this, your water softener
may not be doing its job. This is due to a
reaction between soap and calcium which
results in soap scum.
2.
Run the dishwasher. Does your glassware tend
to be cloudy after a wash? This cloudiness is a
result of another reaction: this time between
minerals and heat, which leaves behind a
residue especially visible on glass items.
Water softeners use oppositely charged ions to
isolate minerals and prevent them from entering
your plumbing beyond the softener, protecting your
pipes and appliances from damaging corrosion and
buildup.
Installation Basics
This section could also be called, “Why you may
not want to do this one on your own.” While many
individuals are capable of installing a water
softener, getting an expert on your side can save
time and money.
Knowing local code can even prevent damage or re-
do’s down the road. What’s more, if a softener’s
settings aren’t correct you may end up running
through salt too fast or not noticing any change at
all.
Location
Location, location, location! It’s true in home-
buying and home-plumbing. Where you place your
water softener is crucial to the installation process
and the performance of your softener. Your softener
should be placed as close as possible to the main
line but remain accessible for regular maintenance.
Water loops
Does your home have a water loop already? If not,
you may want to consider installing one while
working on the softener. A water loop will decrease
the amount of water you waste by rerouting
softened water back through your system. These can
be tricky to install, so we can help.
Do I really need a plumber?
Yes. While the basics are pretty straightforward,
especially if you have experience cutting and
modifying piping, missing just one detail can be
disastrous. Get it done right, the first time, with a
Top Notch plumber.
Knowledge of softeners is helpful, but knowledge of
local water sources can make the difference between
a functioning softener and a wasted one. At Top
Notch Plumbing, our team is all too familiar with
water hardness in Northern Colorado towns like
Windsor, Evans, and Loveland.
Putting our expertise to work for you will maximize
efficiency by reducing time playing around with
settings on your softener. Further, we take your
whole-house plumbing into account during
installation and can advise you one which type of
softener you might need. If pipe repairs are an issue,
we do that too.
Ready to talk about installing a water softener for
your home? We’ll take the time to get to know you
and your home.
Give us a call at (970) 404-7586