5 Reasons Why You Need a Water Softener for Your Home

Tap water that we use for in our daily purpose contains minerals like calcium, lime, chalk, and magnesium. The increased levels of these minerals in water make it hard. Hard water is unhealthy for consumption and for domestic use. Although many people use mineral water for drinking, excessive use of mineral water can result in health and domestic hazards. It’s essential to remove excess levels of minerals from water to make it suitable for drinking as well as for domestic use like bathing, washing, cleaning, etc. Water softeners are filters that convert hard water into softer water by filtering out the minerals.

Below are few important reasons why you should install a water softener in your home:

1. Easier Cleaning

When you wash dishes and clothes in hard water, they may end up with white spots, streaks, and soapy residue. Soft water helps to rinse off the soap residue more thoroughly, leaving your dishes and clothes cleaner. Moreover, water softening also reduce the amount you use for detergent or soap you need for cleaning, which helps to save your expenses for these products.

You will notice that house water softeners prevent the detergent curd and soap film buildup in bathtubs, showers, sinks, and other cleaning devices, and they stay cleaner and efficient.

2. Keep Your Skin Smooth and Well-Nourished

The calcium and magnesium present in hard water mix with anions in soaps resulting in soap scum on your body or sticky skin. This film does not dissolve even with rinsing and stays on your skin causing clogged pores, skin irritation, and dry or itchy skin.

Moreover, using dry water on the skin can also lead to acne. Therefore, install water softener in your home because bathing with soft water is better for your skin.

3. Extended Water Appliance Life

Minerals of hard water can buildup in washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers and other water appliances. This can result in clogging of minerals within these devices which can cause them to burn out. It’s better to invest in a water softener that will prevent the minerals from building up within these appliances.

Therefore, use of soft water helps to extend the life of water appliances. You will end up saving money because these devices will last longer, and you will be replacing them less frequently.

4. Faster Heating of Water

Your water heaters can quickly heat soft water, while heating hard water requires comparatively more time. It is estimated that water softeners can improve the efficiency of electric water heaters by 22 percent and that of gas water heaters by 29 percent. If you are using a walk in tub, it will help in faster heating of water for bathing.

Hard water can also cause mineral buildup in the water heaters, decreasing their efficiency to heat water. Water softeners improve the efficiency of water heaters resulting in lower utility bills.

5. Reduce Pipe and Faucet Damage

Hard water causes scaly deposits in pipes and faucets. Your home plumbing system is severely affected as these deposits buildup over time, resulting in clogs and corrosion.

Moreover, hard water can also clog your showerheads and valves. Water softeners eliminate the mineral buildup in your plumbing system, extending its life and helping your fixtures to operate effectively.

The Importance of Maintaining Your Water Conditioner

Access to clean water is a fundamental human right according to the United Nations. However, trying to get clean water straight to your home might prove to be a challenge. So to overcome that, you’ve had a water tank and conditioner installed on the rooftop of your house.

But just like any other household appliance that you have, you should periodically maintain your water conditioner as well. To further convince you why you should do it, here are some of the reasons why maintaining your water conditioner is important:

1. Any of the various parts of your water conditioner could eventually wear out over time

There could eventually come a time when your water conditioner might suddenly malfunction, thus compromising your previously clean water supply. But instead of needing to replace your entire water conditioner with a brand-new one, you might want to check first if any of its parts have worn down over time. Maybe you’ll only need to change an O-ring or the conditioner valve – and save money in the process.

water-conditioner-maintenance

2. Keeping your water conditioner in tip-top shape ensures that unwanted chemicals are always removed from your water supply

The groundwater in your area generally isn’t safe to drink as it contains various contaminants including, but not limited to, chlorine, ammonia, and chloroform. If you haven’t maintained your water conditioner since you had it installed, anyone in your family might resort to drinking water straight from the tap and then fall ill after experiencing the effects that its various contaminants can bring to them.

Thus, you should always make sure to do periodic maintenance of your water conditioner so that the water running all throughout your house is safe for everyone to drink from.

3. A well-maintained water conditioner helps prevent hard minerals from building up in your plumbing

Even if the groundwater in your area has been treated so that it doesn’t have many contaminants, it may still contain large traces of hard minerals that can accumulate in your plumbing over time. This buildup of hard minerals can cause your water flow rate to decrease, and having a malfunctioning water conditioner wouldn’t do any wonders to your plumbing either.

Regularly maintain your water conditioner so that no hard minerals damage your plumbing.

Aside from either fixing your house’s plumbing on your own or asking for the help of a plumber to get rid of those hard mineral clogs for you, you should also check your water conditioner and ensure that it’s functioning properly. Don’t forget to regularly maintain your water conditioner so that no hard minerals damage your plumbing.

4. Periodically maintaining your water conditioner helps avoid the occurrence of scaling

Another adverse effect that hard minerals in groundwater can bring – aside from causing plumbing clogs as already mentioned above – is scaling. If you’ve noticed that your kitchen sink and bathroom drains, as well as the head of your shower, have turned brown, that’s scaling right there. You can remove the hard minerals deposited on your drains and shower head by thoroughly scrubbing them. But as long as your water conditioner isn’t working as it should, you have to expect the same scaling to happen repeatedly.

You should therefore periodically maintain your water conditioner so that your drains and shower head always look good as new – no matter how much water passes through them.

Conclusion

Clean water can sometimes be hard to come by, most especially if groundwater in your area is scarce during certain times of the day. Thus, having a rooftop water tank and conditioning system installed so that you and your family won’t run out of clean water to use is one of the wisest decisions that you could ever make.

You wouldn’t want to leave your water conditioner unchecked though as it can put you and your family’s health at risk. Instead, you should maintain your water conditioner. It’s entirely up to you if you want to maintain your water conditioner yourself or hire the services of a professional when needed.

Health And Safety Considerations In Plumbing: What You Need To Know

It goes without saying that plumbing can be a hazardous job. From exposure to harmful materials, electric shock, or potential falls through roofing, the risks of injury are real. As an experienced plumber, you should always take safety precautions before starting any job.

This article will delve into some of the key health and safety considerations when it comes to plumbing work.

health and safety considerations in plumbing

1. Keep It All Clean

Using an effective drain cleaner can help prevent blockages that can lead to plumbing problems down the line. Choose a product which is designed specifically for use on toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers in both residential and commercial buildings.

Alternatively, you can invest in professional drain cleaning services, eliminating the need for more drastic measures down the road.

2. Wear Protective Gear

The most important precautionary measure is wearing protective clothing such as gloves, goggles and boots while on the job site. Make sure these items fit correctly and are in good condition at all times for maximum effectiveness.

Additionally, always wear a hard hat when working on roofs or any other elevated areas.

3. Check Tools

Inspect all tools and equipment before using them, as they could be dangerous if not in proper working order. Make sure clamps and blades are sharp, pipe cutters are aligned correctly, and wiring is secure and insulated.

Also check for gas leaks at each job site, and take the necessary steps to make sure it’s safe to proceed with work.

4. Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

As a plumber, you’ll be working in many different environments. Make sure to pay close attention to your surroundings at all times and keep an eye out for potential hazards such as wet floors or sharp objects.

Additionally, be aware that certain areas may contain hazardous materials like asbestos and make sure to take the necessary precautions when handling them.

5. Take Breaks

It’s important to take regular breaks while on the job site so that fatigue doesn’t set in and cause a serious accident. Try to stick to a regular schedule throughout the day and make time for lunch, snacks and water.

Additionally, be aware of any signs of dehydration or exhaustion so that you can take a break when necessary.

6. Practice Good Hygiene

Plumbing work often involves coming into contact with waste, dirt and other potentially dangerous materials. As such, it’s important to practice good hygiene both on the job site and when you return home.

How Much Does Plumbing Cost For A New House

Make sure to use gloves while working and clean your tools thoroughly after each job; it’s also a good idea to shower as soon as possible after finishing up for the day in order to reduce any risk of exposure to contaminants.

7. Wear Fall Protection

If working in an elevated area, it is essential to use fall protection equipment like harnesses and lanyards. Be sure to inspect this gear before each use, secure it properly and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Additionally, take appropriate precautions such as setting up guardrails or using protective scaffolding when necessary.

8. Read Instructions Carefully

Familiarize yourself with any product you are using for a plumbing job, including safety warnings and usage instructions. Always read labels carefully before handling materials and be aware of any potential risks associated with the product or procedure being used.

Taking some extra time to review the instructions can help ensure that everything is done safely and correctly without putting yourself or others at risk.

In Conclusion

No matter how experienced you are at plumbing, it’s essential to always take steps to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

Wearing protective gear, regularly inspecting tools, using drain cleaners whenever necessary and taking regular breaks throughout the job site are just some of the key health and safety considerations that should be followed when performing any kind of plumbing work. Doing so can help reduce the risk of injury or illness while on the job.

Recommended Reading: Things to Look For in a Plumbing Service Provider