If you live in an area with hard water and want to buy a water softener in Guelph, you’re making a wise investment. Hard water can cause many issues, from dry skin and dull hair to clogged pipes and appliance damage. Luckily, several types of water softeners are on the market that can tackle this problem.
Ion Exchange Water Softeners
Ion exchange is the most common and widely used type of water softener. Calcium and magnesium ions (the culprits behind hard water) are removed through ion exchange.
The softener contains resin beads with sodium ions attached. As hard water passes through the resin tank, the calcium and magnesium ions are trapped by the resin beads and replaced with sodium ions. It leaves you with softened water flowing into your home.
Ion exchange softeners require periodic regeneration by flushing the system with a highly concentrated salt (or potassium) solution to recharge the resin beads. They’re a reliable and effective choice but do require maintenance.
Salt-Free Water Conditioners
If you’re looking for a more environment-friendly or maintenance-free option, a salt-free water conditioner could be worth considering before you buy a water softener in Guelph. These systems don’t remove hard minerals but alter their form to prevent them from binding to surfaces.
Salt-free conditioners use template-assisted crystallization to convert dissolved hardness minerals into inactive crystals that can’t adhere to pipes, appliances, or bathroom fixtures. While they don’t technically soften the water, they provide many of the same benefits without the hassle of salt regeneration.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are a type of water purifier that can soften water as part of their filtration process. RO systems force water through semi-permeable membranes to remove up to ninety-nine percent of contaminants like dissolved salts, heavy metals, bacteria, and more.
While not their primary function, RO membranes filter out hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium and other impurities. So, if you invest in an RO water softener, you’ll end up with softened and ultra-purified drinking water.
Such systems are often combined with other pre- and post-filters for optimal performance. However, they do waste some water during the filtration process.
Magnetic Water Softeners
The magnetic water softener (or descaler) is an increasingly popular salt-free option. These systems use magnetic fields to prevent scale buildup rather than removing minerals through ion exchange or reverse osmosis.
Magnetic softeners have no filters or chemicals involved. They wrap around your main water line and emit varying electromagnetic waves that cause the hard minerals to stay suspended in the water rather than solidify on surfaces.
While they don’t technically soften water, magnetic conditioners successfully treat the main issues hard water causes without requiring salt or maintenance. It could be a smart choice if you’re looking for an environment-friendly, low-maintenance way to tackle hard water.
No matter which type of water softener system you invest in, the benefits of eliminating hard water are well worth it. You’ll quickly notice the difference between preserving your home’s plumbing and appliances and enjoying softer skin and hair. Buy a water softener in Guelph from a reputable provider to ensure optimal performance and a return on your investment.