Water Softeners

Hague WaterMAX Water Softener Installation

How Does a Water Softener Work?

Before answering the question, “How does a water Softener Work?”, it helps to understand what hard water is and why it is a problem.

If you’ve heard about “hard water”, then you’ve probably wondered what exactly it is. Why is it a big deal? What is a water softener? How does a water softener work?

First off: No, ice is not hard water.

Second: No, a freezer does not make hard water.

And lastly: No, something that melts frozen water is not a “water softener.” (Sorry, bad jokes).

So what is hard water?

Rock puts the hard in hard water

When you think of hard water, think “hard” like rock, because that is what makes water hard. Ever noticed whitish, yellowish-colored build-up on faucets, showerheads or maybe in the bottom of your tea kettle? That substance is rock — mostly calcium and magnesium — that your water dissolved along its journey from the ground to your home.

Mostly, water hardness develops from two places. What is the topography and geography of where you live? For example, do you have lots of limestone in the ground? Then there is the quality of the water as it begins its journey to you, like how acidic your rainfall is. The more acidic rainfall is and the more limestone is in the ground, the harder water becomes.

Hard water is hard, as in, difficult

Why does hardness or softness of water matter? While having hard water can have some health benefits due to its higher calcium and magnesium levels (think bones, teeth, etc.), it can also wreak havoc on home pipes and appliances.

Problems start with whenever and wherever hard water is heated, stored or sits and evaporates. Then the no-so-great effects of hard water set in. Ever notice off-white colored residue caking up the ends of faucets or shower heads? That’s mineral left from evaporating hard water, also known as calcification.

Something to Consider
That same calcification on plumbing fixtures is happening inside coffee pots, water heaters, and appliances. Any appliances hooked into home plumbing — dishwasher, clothes washer, icemaker — suffer from hard water calcification. Over time, hard water wears down appliances. They work less efficiently and wear out sooner. That is why hard water is just plain difficult.

How do water softeners work and correct hard water?

Here are the nuts and bolts, or rather pipes and couplings, of how it works.
Water Softeners
The solution to hard water

Water is the universal solvent, dissolving just about anything it touches which includes calcium and magnesium. Once calcium and magnesium dissolve, they become positively charged ions. That’s where the water softener comes into play.

The Water Softener Ion Exchange
During a process called ion exchange, water comes into the home, passes into the water softener mineral tank, and flows through small negatively charged polystyrene beads. Like a magnet, positively charged calcium and magnesium ions attach to the negatively charged beads, effectively stripping the water of its hardness.
Nothing Beats a Salt Bath

Eventually beads max out and cannot attract any more deposits. At this point beads are flushed or “washed” with a strong saltwater solution, stripping minerals off the beads. The magnesium and calcium wash away. The beads are ready to be reused and the salt returns to the brine tank.

Softened water, now stripped of its calcium and magnesium, flows cleanly through your home and is ready for use. No more scrubbing calcification on bathtubs. No more buying chemicals to unclog faucet aerators and shower heads. No more spots on cars after washing it.

Do you have more questions about water softeners?

Does your home have hard water and you want it fixed?

Why Get A Hague Water Softener Installation?

Not only does Cowboy’s Plumbing offer fast and reliable soft water filters for home use. But the Hague Water Softener quality outperforms all others.

  • Use Less Water: Soft Water Systems can reduce water use by up to 75%.
  • Reduce Energy Bills: Water softener systems increase water heater efficiency.
  • Feel Cleaner: Soaps lather better, leaving hair shinier & skin cleaner.
  • Enjoy Softer Fabrics: Soft water helps soaps clean & rinse, for softer fabrics.
  • Enjoy Brighter Colors: Soft water-washed fabrics stop hard water dingy.
  • Wash & Save: Soft water treatment systems help clothes last up to 30%.
  • Clean, Shiny Dishes: Water filtration systems eliminate water residue & deposits.
  • Extend Appliance Life: Dishwashers, washing machines & coffee makers last longer.
  • Help the Environment: A reverse osmosis system impacts the environment less by using less energy & water for heating, washing & rinsing.
How the WaterMax Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System Helps
WaterMax acts as a water purification system, filtering out deposits, leaving water clear and clean. Gone are the cloudy and rust colored water. No more deposits in pipes and appliances causing problems. No more water stains leaving a rainbow in colors behind. No more nose-wrinkling metallic or rotten smells. WaterMax home water filtration system lets you enjoy the crisp, clear and odorless water, flowing cleanly through pipes and appliances. It is a water purifier for home and life!

25 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY – USA Made

  1. BUILT-IN BYPASS: Every WaterMax® comes equipped with a built-in bypass valve and test port for easy use and identification.
  1. SUPERIOR WATER DISTRIBUTION: This custom engineered baffle distributes the incoming water evenly through the tank, maximizing efficiency and quality.
  1. CUSTOMIZABLE COMPARTMENTS: The WaterMax® can use up to 3 compartments to create over 83 combinations of media to solve your specific treatment needs.
  1. SAFETY SHUT-OFF: The safety shut-off system is a backup feature that can protect your investment in case of a system failure.
  1. GRID PLATE: The grid plate will protect the air check valve and help ensure a consistent brine concentration.
hague-watermax-water-softener-diagram-1

What is a Reverse Osmosis Water System? (RO System)

An RO water system removes inorganic material from water. People in areas with brackish water want RO water because it removes bad tastes and odors from the water.  

Stages of the Reverse Osmosis System:

  1. Sediment Stage – removes rough particles such as rust or sand.
  2. Carbon Stage – removes chlorine and chemicals.
  3. Reverse Osmosis Stage – removes dissolved solids.
  4. Remineralization Stage – pH balances out, the taste improves, introduces healthy minerals.
  5. Storage Tank
  6. Optional or Application Specific Water Treatment Stage – UV filter destroys microorganisms.
  7. Final Carbon Stage – removes bad tastes or odors picked up from the storage tank.

With a Reverse Osmosis Filter (Hard Water Filter), you can get the clean, tasty water you have always wanted.

Water Filtration System:

A whole house water filtration system is what your home needs! A house water filter reduces scale, sediment, chlorine, and chloramine! Keep your drinking water safe and delicious with a water filtration system. So get a whole house water filter! Contact us today to get your water filter system for home!

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