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Tips for Finding the Right Water Softener for Your Home

Water makes up 60% of your body and 71% of the earth’s surface. Clean water will make you feel better and improve the cleanliness of your pots, clothing and pipes. Discover 3 tips for purchasing the best salt-free water softener.

What is Hard Water?

Not all water is the same. The water in each Texas town is slightly different in terms of chemicals, colors and odors. Generally, hard water includes high levels of calcium, magnesium carbonate and manganese.

Over time, this hard water is more likely to build up on your pipes, pans and appliances. It makes it more difficult for you to remove bacteria, dirt and deposits during washing. Soft water is better for cleaning.

But, I don’t want to deal with all that salt.

With a salt-free water softener, you can enjoy soft water without the salt. These salt free water softeners might use a physical process called “Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC),” which turns the aforementioned chemicals into hardened crystals. These crystals cannot adhere to pots, pipes or clothing.

So, what should you look for in one of these advanced water softeners? We will provide you with 3 valuable tips here:

1. Testing Water

The first thing that you should do is test your water – get a list of all the chemicals found in each gallon of water. These will list the number of grains for calcium, magnesium carbonate, manganese and so forth. You can choose from either a DIY testing kit or hire a professional water analyst.

The benefit of a water analyst is that he can help you interpret the results. He might also be able to explain any historical events that might impact your Texas water.

2. One Application or Full House?

You can buy a water softener for one room or for the full house. Perhaps, you want to concentrate on your bathroom. With a full house water softener, you can also reduce the deposits within your pipes.

3. Calculating Total Operating Costs

Determine how much it will cost you to operate your water softener, each year. Generally, water softeners should last at least 10 years. Therefore, you can take the total cost of the purchase, divide it by 10 and depreciate its value, each year.

Also, include extra costs. With a salt free water softener, you still might need to replace the filters. Experts suggest that you replace the filters every 6 months – it depends on your water quality and usage.

Compare different water softeners; you can ask the advice of experts, who have used both. Water softeners provide many hidden functions. But, these are still very important because they provide clean water for your entire family.

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Getting Soft Water In San Marcos

Water is something that we use every day without thinking about where it is coming from. Many times one just knows that it comes out of a faucet while providing the many advantages of water in modern homes and businesses. Below are a few options for obtaining the very best water from your current home plumbing system.

Water in San Marcos, Texas

San Marcos obtains raw surface water from the Guadalupe River and from Canyon Lake. These bodies of water are the result of a number of springs and other groundwater sources. The water is treated by the new City of San Marcos’ water treatment plant which was established in January of 2000. When the raw surface water from the Guadalupe River arrives at the treatment plant it goes through a series of treatments to ensure San Marcos customers receive water that is clean and safe to drink. The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) is responsible for watershed resource management. Their goal is to assure a safe, sustainable and reliable water for all users.

The Effects of Hard Water

Dealing with hard water build-up can be expensive, as well as time-consuming, for both homes and businesses. Not only does hard water affect plumbing but it can also affect water heaters, laundry equipment, ice makers, and other appliances throughout a building that use water. Mineral build-up in these appliances can reduce the flow of water and increase the overall cost of energy for running appliances. If scale build-up because serious enough, it can even cause water blockage in appliances.

Using a Water Softener

Unfortunately, San Marcos water contains hard manganese, iron, and hard minerals. Exposure to hard water often results in a buildup of these minerals in plumbing and appliances. Hard water can also reduce soap lather, cause water spots, and other problems. A regular water softener will remove manganese, iron, and various minerals from the water and replace them with potassium or sodium. However, a water softener will not remove existing hard water build-up.

Using a Water Conditioner

An alternate option is salt-free water conditioners. This product is not a water softener but rather a water conditioner. Salt-free water conditioners retain the calcium, magnesium, and other minerals present in water while converting them so that they no longer stick to surfaces. Whether you have regular plumbing or a septic system, a salt-free water conditioner will protect your plumbing as well as soften your water which makes it possible to save money on soap and other cleaning products.

For more information about hard water solutions, contact Clear Water of San Marcos, a water treatment company in San Marcos, TX. We’ll be happy to test your home water, or to help you determine which type of water conditioner would work best for your home.

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Water And Health: Your Water And Your Skin

You’ve probably heard that hard water isn’t the best thing for your skin, but what makes water hard? If you pour two glasses of water, one containing hard water and one containing soft water, you aren’t going to be able to tell much of a difference just by looking at them. What makes the difference is the mineral components that are found in the water. The amount of minerals depends on the source of the water. For example, Central Texas has a higher mineral content than the majority of the United States. The higher the mineral content, the more damaging the water is to your skin.

Effects of Hard Water on Your Skin

Why is hard water bad for the skin? Hard water contains the minerals calcium and magnesium, and these minerals dry and irritate the skin. Calcium and magnesium could also form free radicals that can damage healthy skin. The major issue for your skin caused by hard water is that soap is unable to form a lather. The richer the lather, the easier it is to rinse off of your skin. Because hard water doesn’t allow this rich lather to form, soap scum will build up on your skin just like it does on the walls of your showers. Soap scum clogs pores causing skin conditions such as acne and eczema to worsen. Healthy skin will become dry and itchy because the layer of soap scum prevents natural oils that help to lock in moisture from being produced. Overall, hard water isn’t a friend to the skin.

Effects of Soft Water on Your Skin

When compared to hard water, soft water does make the skin softer. This is because the lack of harmful minerals allows the skin’s natural oil producing processes to function correctly. When used with soap, the ability to lather is not restricted. This means soap scum does not build up on the skin. When you get out of the shower, your skin should feel smooth and slick, contrary to the belief that you should be ‘squeaky clean.’ That squeaky noise is the sound of soap scum left on your skin and potentially clogged pores.

Options for Homes with Hard Water

What do you do if you have hard water? There are a couple of options available for making water safe for your skin, such as water softeners and salt-free water conditioners. Water softeners use a salt based filtration system that removes the negative minerals. Salt-free water conditioners use a process called template assisted crystallization that converts the minerals to a crystal that is unable to bind to surfaces. There is still a mineral in the water, but its structure doesn’t allow the damaging processes to occur.

If you notice that your skin is feeling dry and itchy, you might want to examine the quality of your water before trying various skin products or investing in a dermatologist appointment. Now that you know the difference between hard and soft water, you have the option to decide if you need a water conditioning system to help achieve healthier skin. To speak with a professional about water conditioning options for your home, contact Clear Water of San Marcos, located in San Marcos, TX.

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Tips For Homeowners Dealing With Hard Water

For homeowners in the Central Texas area, having hard water in your home is almost a certainty without intervention. Hard water can cause all kinds of havoc in a home, including damaging appliances, leaving stains on dishes and clothing, and building up mineral deposits in faucets and shower heads. Below are a few suggested ways to limit or repair the issues caused by hard water.

Vinegar

The first solution is to use vinegar. This is because vinegar can help to loosen some of the mineral deposits. This means that it can get out of the stains on the bath mats, chrome faucets, shower heads, and coffee pots. You can also use the vinegar inside of your dishwasher and washing machine by just running a cycle with nothing in it. It might help to remove stains and disinfect if you spray the surface of the shower doors, sinks, and toilets with the vinegar. All you will have to do is to wipe down these surfaces and if the stain is very bad, you might have to scrub it a little bit.

Baking Soda

The second solution is to use baking soda. This is one of the best things that you can use when you have a lot of hard water buildup that is just not going away. This is because it is going to be a little more abrasive to all of those stains. All you have to do is to sprinkle the baking soda on the stain so that it can sit for a few minutes and then scrub it with a scrub brush in order to remove the stain. This is going to work best if you have already used vinegar on the stain. After applying the baking soda, you’ll need to add water. Water will cause the baking soda to become a paste that you can quickly wipe up, leaving a cleaner space.

Cleaners with Chemicals

There are a lot of chemical cleaners that you can use that will help you to remove the mineral stains and hard water buildup in homes. You will need to need to pick a cleaner that has acids in it like phophoric, hydrochloric, or hydroxyacetic acids. You are going to need to be very cautious about the more abrasive cleaners and brushes that can scratch the surface of the fixtures. It is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer to make sure that you are using the cleaners properly. For some cleaners, protective gloves should also be worn.

Colored Stains from Hardwater

If you have a red or reddish brown stain from iron, then you might consider using cream of tartar and water. This is going to create a paste that you can let dry and rinse off, leaving a cleaner surface. If you have a brown or black stain from manganese in your water, then you can make a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide. Lastly, if you noticed a green or blue stain from copper or water that has a lot of acid in it, you can use a mixture of soap suds and ammonia to lighten it. Just let the mixture dry and then rinse it off.

Salt-Free Water Conditioner

For a more permanent solution, consider having a water softener installed in your home. A water softener greatly lessens the impact of hard water on your home and appliances, and many of these devices are made to last for years. Another option to consider is a water conditioner, which has a slightly different process than a water softener, but which still solves your hard water issues. Many homeowners turn to salt-free water conditioners because they require very little maintenance and are built to last you and your family for years.

If you would like more information about dealing with hard water, or about installing a salt-free water conditioner, contact Clear Water of San Marcos, located in San Marcos, TX.

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Soft Water Helps Save Money In Your Home

If you live in the San Marcos area, you’re familiar with hard water. You’ve probably tried everything to get your water to smell, taste, and feel good. If you don’t have a water softening system, installing one can transform your water and save you money.

How Hard Water May Be Costing You Money

Hard water damages appliances and fixtures over time. Water with high iron content, for example, turns tubs and sinks orange and contributes to rusting of water heaters. When an appliance leaks, like the water heater, you also experience flooring damage. Also, nearly 90 percent of homes in the US have hard water containing high levels of calcium and magnesium. This causes scaling which clogs the plumbing and water lines. In addition to the needed plumbing repairs, this causes higher electricity costs. It requires more soap to clean clothes and dishes, and chemicals and minerals in hard water can damage clothing when laundered, causing it to fade and wear more quickly.

How Softening Water Could Save You Money

Soft water reduces your electricity. Without being hindered by the scale caused by hard water, your appliances can run more efficiently. With no scaling, they can last longer as well, leading to fewer leaks and fewer replacements. Fewer leaks also means less repairs to the surrounding flooring. The boilers, pipes, and fixtures can last longer, too.

In addition to extending the life and efficiency of your appliances, you’ll need to buy less soap because it lathers better in soft water. Your laundry detergent can go further, too. Soft water helps your clothes and linens last longer because it helps remove stains better. According to The Salt Institute, soft water cleans dishes 12 times better and it removes clothing stains 100 times more effectively than added detergent or hot water wash.

Types of Water Softening Systems

Several types of filtration systems exist, and each has its own benefits. You can install a water softening or water conditioning system with a well water system or with a municipal water supply feed. The three most popular types of softening systems are:

• Coal Filtered,
• Salt-Free Water Conditioner,
• Salt Filtered.

Salt filtered systems are common, though they can eventually lead to corroded pipes and water heaters. Coal filtered systems are less popular because they use a non-renewable resource, and mining for coal can damage the environment. A salt-free water conditioner is easier on appliances and does not harm the environment, or add any traces of sodium to your water. This type of water conditioner requires very little maintenance.

For a minimal investment, you can have healthy water using a coal-free, salt-free water conditioner. Your water will taste better, clean better, and be gentler on your appliances, helping extend their lifetimes and efficiency. If you are considering installing a water softener or conditioner in your home or would like to speak to a professional about the best option for the water in your home, contact Clear Water of San Marcos, located in San Marcos, TX.

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