Water Softener Services
What is A Water Softener, and Why Would You Need One?

What is A Water Softener, and Why Would You Need One?
How This System Helps Remove Unwanted Chemicals From Your Water
A water softener system provides balance for your water system. It keeps things flowing longer, better, and more efficiently. Sometimes the local community takes responsibility for ensuring the quality of water coming from our taps. More commonly, however, it is on the homeowner to monitor their water quality and install the necessary equipment to ensure water safety.
One major threat to your water quality is hard water. Hard water can damage your pipes, your skin, and even your health if not properly monitored and treated.


Water Softener Installation FAQ
Are Water Softeners Safe For Your Home?
Water softeners are completely safe for your home. They reduce the amount of chlorine in your water which can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. They also reduce the amount of soap you need to use when cleaning dishes or laundry because the soap lathers more effectively with softer water. Additionally, a well-maintained device requires minimal maintenance and won’t have any negative impacts on other systems in your house.
Over time, water softeners will need to be replaced as the sodium ions become depleted. However, water softeners are an effective way to improve the quality of your water, and they can help to prolong the life of your plumbing.
Do Water Softeners Need To Be Replaced?
Signs You Need a Water Softener Replacement
In many places, water softener systems are necessary to increase the quality of your water. A well-cared-for system can last for 10 to 15 years, but to avoid premature water softener replacement you will have to maintain it. Many factors affect the lifespan of your water softener but on average it will lose 1% to 2% efficiency per year from use. The noticeable scaly buildup that is hard to clean on the surface or faucets of your tub is a clear indicator that you have hard water. However, we are going to dive into some of the less clear signs that you need to replace your water softener.
The Water Is Difficult to Lather
Noticing the bubbles your soap and water produces is an easy way to tell if your water softener is losing efficiency. Soft water has a much easier time creating bubbles as opposed to hard water. As a result, you will not need as much soap when you are washing your hair in the shower or cleaning dishes. On the other hand, if you find you need to use more soap than usual to get the water to lather, you may have a hard water problem.
Laundry Becomes A Chore
Washing machines can be sensitive to hard water. They exhibit several signs that your water softener is not working as it should and may need to be replaced. First, as previously stated, hard water does not lather well. You may notice there are fewer bubbles produced to clean your clothes. You can check to see if it is lathering by stopping a load mid-cycle and assessing the bubbles. It would also be helpful to keep an eye out for stiff yellow-tinted clothes as well as an increased difficulty in removing stains. Eventually, you may notice that your washing machine needs constant repairs and maintenance. This is a clear sign that the hard water buildup is damaging it.
Be quick to call an expert at Green Leaf HVAC and Plumbing because any hard water issues can build up to needing entire system replacements.
Limescale Buildup In Pipes
A lot of people have water softeners in areas where there is hard water present. Limescale will build up around your pipes and faucets if you do not. Most people do not notice or think that it is normal. We are here to tell you that it is not, and you do not have to live with it anymore. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium, which is why it builds up. It would be beneficial to check these places for buildup while you are cleaning. This ensures that hard water cannot damage your water pipes. Encountering the chalky off-white substance means you may need a Green Leaf plumbing specialist to come out and inspect your pipes.
Bad Tasting Water
If you have experienced hard water in the past, then you know it tastes different than soft water. This change in taste happens because the hard minerals are removed and replaced with sodium ions. While the water doesn’t become salty, there is a distinctly different taste to it. The most significant indicator that it is time for a water softener replacement is a drink of water from the kitchen that doesn’t taste right. This is because an old or poorly managed water softener stops being able to trade hard minerals for sodium. At this point, it may need to be serviced by a plumbing technician, but more likely than not, it needs a replacement.
As you can see, several different factors mean it is time for a water softener replacement. The thing to remember, however, is that they all focus on watching for scaly buildup in various places. So, if you think you are having issues with your water softener, take action. There is always a Green Leaf plumbing expert waiting to answer your questions.