Should You Get a Water Treatment System?

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Eight-five percent of the country might have hard water, but Northeast Florida-and Jacksonville in particular-has some seriously hard water. That's because the aquifer that supplies Jacksonville is limestone, the source of hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium. When these minerals get deposited into your home's plumbing system, they can cause a lot of damage.

A water treatment system can help fight soap scum, scaly skins, low water pressure and other problems hard water causes.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water contains high levels of the minerals calcium and magnesium as well as a variety of trace minerals, which soft water does not. Understanding what hard water is and how it can affect your plumbing and personal comfort can help you determine if something needs to be done about it in your home.

How Does Hard Water Affect Your Plumbing?

Hard water might not make you sick, but it can ruin your plumbing and cause other annoying problems including:

Clogged or corroded pipes that occur when scale deposits build up inside the pipes. Just like plaque inside an artery, these deposits can constrict the flow of water and eventually cause the pipes to back up.
Reduced water heater efficiency. Hard water can make your water heater up to 48% less efficient than if it uses soft water, leading to increased utility bills.
Malfunctioning appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, and water heaters due to mineral buildup.
Hard water stains that require constant special cleaning.
Poor lathering of soap and detergent in cleaning.
Odor, bad taste, and skin irritation. Hard water often has a "rotten egg" odor and metallic taste which, while not harmful, is unpleasant. Since minerals draw moisture out of your skin, showering or bathing with hard water can cause dry, flaky, and itchy skin.

What is a Water Treatment System?

Water treatment systems or softeners remove the destructive hardness minerals before they enter your home's plumbing system. A tank is positioned between your water source and your home's internal plumbing. Water treatment systems use a simple process called ion exchange to remove harmful minerals before they reach your faucets and appliances.

Should You Get a Water Treatment System?

A water treatment system prevents mineral build-up in your home's pipes, on faucets, and in major appliances, increasing their lifespan and operational efficiency. In fact, appliances that use soft water can last up to 50% longer.

Other benefits to getting a water treatment system include:

Saving money on household cleaners because detergents mix better with it.
Significantly reducing energy costs.
Eliminating foul tastes and odors.

Personally, you'll feel the difference a water softener makes. Your skin will be smoother, and soap and shampoo will lather better and rinse cleaner.

At David Gray Plumbing, we understand the challenges associated with Jacksonville's hard water and know how a water softener can improve your own life and the life of your appliances. Whether you live in Clay, Duval, Clay, St. John's County, we have more than 40 crews ready to install a water treatment system in your home.

To learn more about all the services we offer, including installing a water softener, give David Gray Plumbing a call at (904) 724-7211 or contact us online today.