It is very easy to identify homes that have the problem of hard water. The plumbing fixtures and faucets in such residences will have turned white owing to scaly deposits. To get rid of these deposits owners will need to use chemical products or opt for regular heavy duty scrubbing. If you want to avoid such hassles and want to get rid of the problem altogether then you need to invest in a good water softener system. Though there are various softeners available in the market not all of them are fit for your home, and you need to pick one that matches your requirements perfectly. Without further wait let us get to discover some tips that will make it easier for you to find the right water softener for your house.
1. Find out how hard the water is
Before you even begin your search for a water softener you first need to find out how hard the water you use is. You can either use a home test kit or may even call a professional water testing company. If you plan to use a home kit then you may need to dampen a given strip in the water. The strip will change to a certain color which will help you identify the hardness of the water. Other kits include a tablet that you will need to drop into the water, and the color of the water will change. The kit comes with a color-coded bar which will help you figure out how hard the water is.
2. Determine the needs of your family
Usually, most of the water softeners use sodium chloride or salt to get rid of the magnesium and calcium minerals present in the water. The system eradicates the harsh minerals present in the water and in the process salt ions replaces the present mineral ions. Though the salt ions are healthy but it can be a problem for those suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure problems, or those following low-salt diets. Such people should opt for a water softener that uses potassium chloride instead.
3. Determine the amount of water you will need
To figure out the size of the tank you will need, calculate the water hardness and the amount of water that will be used by your family. The hardness of water will help you figure out what type of salt water softener you will require. Usually, one person needs about 80 gallons of water in a day. So, if you are a family of four and have two bathrooms in your home then you will need about 320 gallons water every day. Keep this in mind while looking for water softener system so as to get the right size.
4. Select from the different types of regeneration
To make sure the water stays soft all the time the water softener must regenerate on a regular basis. When you are looking for water softener system you can opt for one that regenerates manually, automatically, or on a timer. If you opt for a manual system you will need to start the regeneration system yourself. Automatic systems usually have a digital electronic head that is scheduled to regenerate on time, and a timer based system will regenerate your water softener every day at a set particular time. Amongst these, the automatic system seems to be the best choice as its offers great flexibility.
Apart from following the above-given tips also make sure to consider the brand and price of the softener system. You need to opt for a system the price of which is within your budget but also has the necessary features, and at the same time, the brand reviews should also be satisfactory.
