Do Salt-Free Water Softeners Work
Many questions arise when people think about buying a Salt-Free Water Softener. Do they work? Do they really softener your water? The list goes on.
In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know when it comes to understanding what a Salt-Free Water "Softener" really does as well as if it would be a viable option for your household.
Let's get started...
Hard water can also produce a rock-like scale that builds up in pipes, water heaters, plumbing fixtures, dishwashers and other water-related appliances.
What is Water Hardness?
Hard water is typically caused by Magnesium and Calcium carbonates in your water. To soften the water, you must remove these minerals. Water is considered hard when it contains these dissolved minerals above 1 GPG (grain per gallon).
Signs of water hardness:
- Your water has an odd taste or smell to it
- You are getting brown or reddish stains
- Soap residue, spots, or scale buildup on dishes and/or in the bathroom
- You are experiencing skin irritation
- Appliances are wearing out quicker than they should
How a Water Softener Works
A traditional Water Softener, which uses salt, will remove the Calcium and Magnesium minerals through an ion exchange process.
The Softener will replace the harness minerals with those of positively charged sodium ions.
How a Salt-Free Water Softener Works
A Salt-Free Softener changes the hardness minerals (Calcium and Magnesium) chemically. The minerals remain in the water, but they are altered in a way that prevents scale from building up.
So, what does this mean? It means that a Salt-Free Water Softener "conditions" the water. It does not soften it.
The main use of these systems is to reduce scale build-up.
Is a Salt-Free Water Softener right for me?
If you aren't dealing with a serious hard water issue, but you do have scale build up, a Salt-Free Water Softener might be a good solution for you.
On the other hand, if you have a real hard water issue, then you most likely need a traditional Salt-Based Water Softener.