A Residential Water Softener Protects Your Water Heater And Plumbing From Limescale

A residential water softening system has several benefits for your home. If you've been having trouble with your water heater due to limescale buildup from hard water, your plumber might recommend a water softener to help your heater have a longer life and to reduce the frequency it needs to be flushed.

If you install a water softening unit for your water heater, all of your home's plumbing will be protected as well. Here's how a residential water softening appliance is installed and how it benefits your water heater and plumbing.

A Water Softener Is Installed Before The Water Heater

In order to protect the water heater, the softener needs to be installed on the water main after it enters your house but before it branches apart to go to the water heater. This ensures both the hot and cold water pipes are treated and that the softener won't bypass the water heater.

If you have a basement, your plumber might install the softener there along with the water heater and other appliances. However, the softener might be installed in your garage or even outdoors if the unit you buy can tolerate it. A water softener can be hooked up to a gas or electric water heater as well as a tank or tankless model.

The Water Softener Controls Sediment Buildup

Once softened water starts flowing into your water heater, there will be less buildup from hard water minerals. These minerals collect on the sides and bottom of the tank. They can even collect on the parts inside the tank. This makes your water heater less efficient and the sediment can even lead to malfunctions. With soft water, these problems are eliminated.

It may still be a good idea to flush the tank occasionally if you have well water and don't have a whole-house filter since sediment from the well can build up too, but hard water scale should be a thing of the past. Plus, flushing the tank gives you the chance to see how much sediment of all kinds is collecting.

A Residential Water Softening Unit Has Several Benefits

The soft water benefits everything it touches in your house. There will be less scale on your water pipes, washing machine, shower doors, and faucets. Your dishes and glasses will have fewer water spots, and your laundry should be softer too. You may even enjoy bathing in soft water since it can make your skin and hair feel silky. You may buy the water softener mainly for your water heater, but your home will benefit as well, so that makes the expense well worth it.

To learn more about residential water softening treatments, contact a provider near you.