If your home has hard water, you might want to consider getting a water softener. This will extend the life of your appliances, make your clothes brighter when they come out of the wash, and eliminate scaly deposits in your pipes. Here’s a guide to how these systems improve private water supplies.

What Is a Water Softener?

About 85% of American households have hard water, and the issue is prevalent in homes with private wells. This means that their water supply contains more minerals like calcium and magnesium than normal or “soft” water. The degree of hardness can vary depending on the amount of these minerals the water contains. 

A water softener is a simple, low-maintenance machine that removes these minerals, preventing many problems that the average family might not realize they have. For example, if you’ve noticed soap scum around bathroom fixtures, dry skin or hair after bathing, or increased water heating repair needs, hard water may be at the root of the issue. 

How Does It Work?

Water softeners use a process called ion exchange. Magnesium and calcium are positively charged ions, so these devices use negatively charged ions to attract them. Water enters the home and makes its way into the tank, where it flows through a sheet of resin beads. The beads are charged with sodium, which is a negative ion. The magnesium and calcium ions stick to the sodium ions and get stuck in the water filter, letting water with the ideal level of quality flow out to be used throughout the home.

After a while, the sodium beads will be returned to a tank full of strong salt water to regain their negative charge. Once the beads are restored to their negative charge, the process begins all over again. Salt needs to be occasionally added to the brine tank to make sure it continues to function.

If you’re looking for a quality water softener for your well, call the experts at Bishop Well & Pump Service, located in Tifton, GA. They’ve been helping residents all over Tift County with their well needs for over 70 years. In addition, they can drill a new well on your property or improve your current water system. Visit their website or call (229) 382-6117 to schedule an estimate today.