Water conditioning is the process of treating water to ensure it is as pure as possible. Of course, every city filters and treats its water supply. However, many people still prefer to have their water further purified before drinking it and using it in their homes. Home water conditioning systems can do this job for you, saving you money on bottled water and leaving you with water that tastes as clean and pure as possible. There are several different kinds of water conditioning options, and the right one for you depends on your needs. Your plumber can help you make the right selection for your home. This information will also help you decide.
Water Filters
As the name suggests, water filters remove things from your water before it enters your taps and pipes. There are two kinds of water filters. One is a sediment filter, which removes sediment from water before it enters the pipes in your home. These filters block things like sand and rust from mixing with the water in your appliances. This means that you will have less dirt inside your water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, and other appliances.
The other kind of water filter is a carbon filter. If your main concern is the smell or taste of your water, this filter could be right for you. Carbon filters remove chemicals like chlorine so that they don’t leave any lingering tastes or odors. Carbon filters can also remove other kinds of contaminants such as lead, so you can feel confident that you and your family are drinking fresh, clean water.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Like carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems remove contaminants from water before you drink it. These systems provide ultra-fine filtration, so they are extremely effective. They filter out about 98% of contaminants, including salt, lead and other heavy metals, and solids. Typically, these systems are connected to the sink in the kitchen, where most households get the water they consume through drinking and cooking. Reverse osmosis systems also have to be connected to a drain.
Reverse osmosis will deliver clean water without odor, but it is not usually the right option if your biggest concern about your water is that it contains sand, rust, or other debris. Those items are better trapped in a filter before they enter your home.
Water Softening Systems
For many people in Tucson, hard water is a concern. The groundwater in the area is naturally hard, and it’s even harder after it’s treated. Hard water is not a health threat, but it does have some side effects. If you have hard water in your home, you will notice that minerals tend to build up on fixtures. This mineral buildup can eventually shorten the lifespan of your appliances. Hard water also causes soap scum buildup. For some people, it can even cause dry, itchy skin. Your clothing may also show the signs of hard water. Hard water causes colors to fade and clothing to become dry and brittle.
Water softening systems balance your water to lower the mineral levels. They achieve this by using salt or potassium to remove the calcium and magnesium that are in hard water. You can use softening systems to treat all of the water that enters your home. In the past, water softening systems were sometimes a problem for people on low-sodium diets. Today, however, systems are available that are compatible with this dietary need.
Wood’s Plumbing is an authorized distributor of Enviro Water Products, and we can help you find the water conditioning system that is right for your home. We offer a variety of options, from reverse osmosis systems for your kitchen to whole-house conditions systems. To find out more about our water conditioning systems, talk to one of our plumbers in Tucson by calling (520) 682-2233.