Water Softener Installation Waterloo: Today we are going to take a look at why it's necessary to install a water softener if you live in the Waterloo Region.
At WaterSmart, we have over 25 years of experience in the water softener and plumbing industry; and we'd love to share our expertise with you.
We'll take a look at what hard water is and why using a water softener is important. So, let's get started.
Water softener installation Waterloo: Learn why it is important
Water Softener Installation Waterloo - Why It's Necessary
The vast majority of the drinking water in the Waterloo region comes from groundwater. In fact about 75% of the drinking water in the area comes from the ground.
Groundwater comes from the rain and snow that seeps into the ground and settles in the spaces between the rocks, gravel, and sand grains beneath the surface. You get groundwater from underground wells. As this water travels underground, it picks up various minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Even though these minerals are safe to drink, they do leave behind scale build-up and deposits on your pipes and appliances as well as your skin and hair. This build-up mostly occurs when you are using hot water as the minerals in hard water tend to separate and stay behind once your water is heated.
Image source: Wikipedia - Creative Commons
Groundwater comes from rain and melted snow that seeps into the ground
Water Softener Installation Waterloo - Benefits
There are many benefits to installing a water softener. These include:
Consuming less energy by reducing the scale build-up in your water heater
Reducing the amount of soap and detergents you use in order to create a lather
Keeping your plumbing fixtures looking nicer and functioning better
Feeling better after you shower and not having dry skin and hair
Saving on the replacement of appliances that wear out faster due to scale build-up
Water softener installation Waterloo: Hard water can make your skin and hair feel dry
Water Softener Installation Waterloo - Rebate Program
If you are a resident of the Waterloo region, you could qualify for a pilot rebate program beginning July 2020. As part of this program you can receive a one-time rebate of $50 per household to convert your plumbing so that your water softener will only treat hot water.
By taking part in this program, you can help to reduce the amount of salt that enters the Waterloo region rivers and you will be helping to conserve drinking water.
It is estimated that you could reduce your carbon footprint by about 48 kilograms and you could save about 108 pounds of salt and 8,800 litres of water every year if you are a household of three by only softening your hot water.
That works out to about an $84 savings. Learn more about this program in our post "Waterloo Water Softener Rebate: Here's What You Need to Know."
You can save salt and water by only softening your hot water
How Water Softeners Work
Your water softener uses a process called ion exchange to remove the minerals (calcium and magnesium) that make your water hard. The minerals in your hard water have a positive charge. Your water softener is filled with millions of tiny resin beads that are negatively charged.
As the hard water enters your softener, the positive mineral ions are attracted and stick to the negative resin ions and remain in your tank. Your water, minus the the minerals that made it hard, then flows out of your softener to be used in your home.
Every so often, the resin beads get filled up with mineral deposits, and need to be cleaned off. That is where the salt comes in. The salt brine in your water softener is used to clean off your resin beads during a regeneration cycle, so that they can once again attract the hard water minerals out of your water.
The more water your household uses, the more often this regeneration cycle needs to take place and the more salt and backwash water you will have to use.
How to Find Out the Water Hardness in Your Area
The Waterloo region has some of the hardest water in Canada. Hard water contains large amounts of dissolved calcium, magnesium and other minerals.
Water hardness is measured in milligrams per litre (grains per gallon). The higher the number the harder your water is. If your water contains more than 121 mg/litre, then it is considered hard.
You can find out your level of water hardness by looking up your location on corresponding map of where you live. The following chart will give you a breakdown of the various water hardness ranges.
The water in the Waterloo region ranges from about 148 mg/L (8.7 grains per U.S. gallon) to 958 mg/L (56 graind per U.S. gallon).
Source: Water Softener Facts
How to Choose the Right Water Softener
There are different sizes, styles and qualities of water softeners to choose from. It's important to get the right model for your particular needs. You need to get a softener that is capable to handle the amount of water that your household uses.
It is a good idea to figure out the grains per day of hardness that your softener will need to remove in order to make your choice. To calculate this you will need to multiply the number of people in your household by your average daily water consumption per person.
Take that number and multiply it by the water hardness level (grains per gallon) for your area to get the grains of hardness that your softener will need to remover per day. To learn more about how to figure this out, click here.
If you need help to figure out the right type and size of water softener you require, contact the experts at WaterSmart.
How Water Smart Can Help
Because the Waterloo region has particularly challenging hard water issues, it's important to get a water softener installation that can handle the challenges. Choosing a water softener that has been designed for the hard water of this region is a good investment.
WaterSmart water softeners are specifically designed to handle the hard water issues in Waterloo and the experts at WaterSmart know how to program your new water softener so that it works best to soften your water efficiently and economically.
If you already have a water softener and it is not working as it should, contact WaterSmart. We do water softener repairs to help keep you water softener working longer. Most good quality softeners will last about 10 to 15 years. If you think yours needs to be replaced, contact WaterSmart.
In addition, WaterSmart offers free installation when you purchase a new water softener to help you save even more! Contact WaterSmart today to get your water softener installed.
You Can Also Trust WaterSmart for All Your Plumbing Needs
Looking to hire a professional plumber? You can trust WaterSmart with all of your plumbing needs. We are your local plumbing experts in the Kitchener-Waterloo region proudly celebrating 25 year of professional service.
If you are having problems with your sewer or would like to have it inspected, contact us today. We also provide a full range of other plumbing services that include but are not limited to:
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Toilets and Taps,
Leaks and Repairs
Clogged or Slow Drains
Countertop Pre and Post Installation
Water Softener and Dishwasher Installations
Tankless Hot Water Heaters
New Plumbing and Renovations
Master Plumber and Gas Fitter
"Absolutely wonderful! After getting many quotes, checking quality of units, warranty and businesses through the BBB, I chose to go with Watersmart Systems. Best equipment, price, warranty, and people!! The gentlemen that came and installed the unit were professional and polite. I will definitely be recommending this company!!"
- Kim Pickles
Source: Region of Waterloo
