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How Water Softeners Work

When it comes to the water running through your pipes, we might not generally think about whether it is hard or soft. The term hard water is used to describe water that contains high levels of natural minerals like calcium and magnesium; alternately, soft water has much lower levels of these minerals. That is why people rely on companies like Hillsborough Pump & Well to install water softeners in Tampa so that their plumbing doesn’t get damaged from running hard water through them all the time.

Excessive hard water can build up in pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances and eventually shorten their lifespans. It also reduces the ability of soap to lather when washing dishes and clothing and causes a sticky film that clings. Investing in a water softener will benefit you and help you live more comfortably while extending the life of your appliances.

Types of Water Softeners

There are a few popular water softeners that homeowners rely on:

Ion Exchange: This is the most common type for home application. It removes calcium and magnesium ions and replaces them with sodium ions.
Salt-Free: This water softener uses a mechanical filter to remove calcium but doesn’t remove magnesium.
Reverse Osmosis: This device filters water through a semipermeable membrane that removes 98% of water impurities.

Contact Hillsborough Pump & Well to learn more about their water softener services.

How Hard Water Can Damage Your Plumbing

When it comes to your home or business plumbing, we might not realize how much wear, tear, and damage the pipes can experience when hard water in Tampa is running through them. But what exactly is hard water? The term describes a freshwater supply that contains high levels of natural minerals, including calcium and magnesium. So, if you notice that your pipes are starting to act up, you can count on companies like Hillsborough Pump & Well to resolve the issue.

Common Problems

In addition to its high mineral levels, hard water can be problematic because it reacts with cleaning products, creates soap buildup, and can wear down the fixtures and appliances a lot more quickly than soft water. As for the plumbing itself, it can start straining the pipes in your tubs, showers, sinks, and faucets. Here is a list of potential issues you can run into with hard water:

Scale buildup inside water supply pipes, restricting water flow.
Film and scale buildup on ceramic tile and fixtures.
Scale deposits shortening the life of water heaters.
Spots on glasses and dishes cleaned in the dishwater.
Less effective clothes washing due to lack of suds.
Increased wear on clothing during washing.

Contact Hillsborough Pump & Well for more information about their hard water filter services.