Can a Water Softener Save Me Money?

Posted on September 30, 2019 by admin

Whether you own commercial or residential property, one of the most valuable and lucrative investments you can make is installing a water conditioning system. A water softener is an ion exchange plumbing appliance that plays a critical role in various aspects of your home’s structural integrity and plumbing performance, as well as, your personal comfort and safety. Without a water conditioner, you are at risk of being subjected to several undesirable effects of hard water. But more importantly, you can face a long list of financial consequences.

Continue reading to learn how a water softener can actually save you money in the long run.

Indianapolis Water Softener Service 317-537-9707
Indianapolis Water Softener Service 317-537-9707

Negative Impacts of Hard Water

What is hard water? Well, hard water is groundwater, well water, or municipal water that contains high traces of hard minerals, such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, as well as various other contaminants. It causes lime scale buildup in plumbing pipes, appliances, and around plumbing fixtures. But that’s not all; it can also have negative or damaging effects on skin, hair, laundry, coffee, tea, lemonade, cooking, and more.

How Water Softeners Help

Water softeners use an ion exchange resin process that converts hard water into soft water. Resin beads inside the water softener tank are negatively charged, so when contaminated water passes through the resin, it attracts and retains all the positively-charged hard ions. The leftover water is conditioned with a soft mineral ion, such as sodium or potassium (salt pellets), turning it into soft water.

Where You Can Save Money

Hard water can do a lot a damage to your home’s plumbing system and water-based appliances, including water heaters, drains, plumbing pipes, dishwashers, washing machines, and more. It can also add a lot more wear and tear to these systems. Not only can lime scale buildup clog pipes and reduce their performance, hard water can lead to costly plumbing repairs and replacements.

Softening your water will help protect your plumbing and appliances, thus increasing their lifespan and efficiency. As a result of this protection, you earn a 4th bonus to owning a water softener: monthly savings on utility and energy usage! This means you can literally save money by investing in a quality water softener!

Trusted Water Softener Information and Service

Call 317-537-9707 for professional Indianapolis water softener services you can afford. Our licensed contractors have decades of experience in the plumbing and water conditioning industry, and are happy to answer any questions you have about hard water removal, water filtration, and more. Not only will we install your water softener at an affordable price, we will sell you a quality unit too! Request a free estimate for water softeners, today.

Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Can a Water Softener Save Me Money?

FAQS About Water Softener Resin Beads

Posted on August 12, 2019 by admin

Water softening systems are vital for every home and office that uses a modern plumbing system. Otherwise, both occupants and appliances will be negatively affected by the negative effects of hard water. Things like dry skin and dingy hair, as well as, cloudy dishes, poor quality lather, faded laundry, and even high energy and water bills, can become an on-going consequence of not having an operational water softener. Water softeners are unique water conditioning systems because they use ion-exchange technology to trap and expel hard minerals from water. In order to achieve this process, water softening systems are designed to use resin beads.

Continue reading to learn the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about water softener resin beads, including what they do and how.

Indianapolis Water Softening I317-537-9707
Indianapolis Water Softening I317-537-9707

What are Water Softener Resin Beads?

Water softener resin beads are the ion-exchange media used to implement the ion-exchange process that renders hard water, soft. Also known as sulfonated co-polymer of styrene and divinyl benzene, the most commonly used resin beads in the water softener industry are polystyrene-type gel resin beads, which are primarily Polystyrene and Divinylbenzene (DVB).

How Do Water Softener Resin Beads Work?

A traditional salt-based water softener has a resin tank that houses thousands of tiny resin beads containing electrically-charged ions. When the water softener regenerates, the resin beads fill up with sodium ions that are provided by the softening salt. During the regeneration process, the sodium-filled resin beads attract all the magnesium, calcium, and other hard minerals in water, as it passes through. It then trades them for the sodium ions.

When Does the Resin Need Replaced in a Water Softener?

Resin beds generally last as long as a water softener does, between 10 to 15 years on average. However, they do require periodic maintenance for optimal water softening performance and longevity. Not only must they be cleaned at least twice per year, resin beds call for routine service and inspection from a licensed Indianapolis plumber who specializes in water softeners.

How Do I Know if I There is a Problem With My Unit’s Resin Beads?

To fix a resin bed problem on your own, you can use a chemical iron removal product to clean out the water softener resin bed. See our blog, “How to Diagnose a Resin Bed Problem in Your Water Softener” to learn which signs indicate you have a water softener resin bead malfunction.

Where Can I Get Fast and Affordable Water Softener Service?

Call 317-537-9707 for professional Indianapolis water softener service and repair you can afford. Our licensed contractors have decades of experience in the plumbing and water conditioning industry. Not only will we install your water softener at an affordable price, we will sell you a quality unit too! Call 317-537-9707 to request a free estimate for water softeners, today.

Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on FAQS About Water Softener Resin Beads

How Much Does Tap Water Cost?

Posted on July 30, 2019 by admin

When you turn on any faucet in your home, you are accessing tap water. Tap water comes from the municipal water company in your community. In fact, the majority of homeowners in our country get their tap water from a civic water system, which generally provides its consumers with an annual water quality report known as a Consumer Confidence Report. There are various questions and concerns surrounding tap water in our country. For starters, consumers want to know if tap water is unhealthy to drink, if its taste can be improved, and whether or not a water conditioning system will make a difference in tap water quality. You see, when your tap water quality is poor, the rest of your home and plumbing will be effected in many ways.

Hard water can create limescale on plumbing fixtures, as well as, cause a buildup in pipes and water-related appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, and more. Limescale buildup not only affects the performance of these appliances and systems, it also wastes money. When appliances and plumbing are affected by limescale and other hard water complications, they have to work harder to meet the same needs, which in turn uses more energy, and thus, more money.

So how much does tap water actually cost in the United States? And how much is poor quality tap water costing you, personally? Continue reading to learn some facts about these points and more.

Water Softener Service 317-537-9707
Water Softener Service 317-537-9707

The Cost of Tap Water

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the average cost of tap water comes out to be around $0.01 per 5 gallons of tap water. So just one penny pays for 5 milk jugs of water. In contrast, bottled water is between 240 and 10,000 times more expensive than tap water. This is astonishing if you do more math. That’s because the price of a standard package of bottled water is virtually equivalent to 1,000 gallons of tap water!

But this low cost can add up quicker than you think.

How to Reduce Water Waste

The best way to reduce your personal water waste is to incorporate new routines into your daily life and make positive habit changes. For instance, you can stop letting the faucet run when you brush your teeth or wash the dishes. You can also put your washing machine on an Energy-Saving mode, or turn up the temperature setting on your water heater so you don’t have to wait as long for your shower to heat up.

However, none of these changes will matter if you do not fix a water quality issue first. The top recommended method of improving water quality is to install a water softening system. See our blog, “How to Save Money on Water and Salt With Your Water Softener” to learn more about making money-saving changes to your home or office.

Indianapolis Water Softener Service

Call 317-537-9707 for Indianapolis water softener service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. We are licensed and insured master plumbers who provide a wide range of commercial and residential water softener services at the most competitive prices in town. We also offer water softener service coupons and discounts. Request a free estimate, today!

Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Posted in Hard Water, Soft Water, water softeners | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on How Much Does Tap Water Cost?

How to Manage Dishwasher Spots and Limescale

Posted on June 25, 2019 by admin

Dishwashers are supposed to be designed to lighten the load of cleaning in your household. But if you are finding yourself hand-washing your dishes AFTER they come out of a machine cycle, you probably have a limescale problem. Not only can neglecting a limescale problem can ruin your dishes overtime, it can also jeopardize the performance and efficiency of your appliance. This can lead to higher energy bills, water bills, and repair bills. In worst case scenarios, homeowners may be required to replace their dishwasher altogether, and even the plumbing connections too.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to combat limescale buildup and dishwasher spotting issues. Continue reading to learn some helpful tips to get your dishwasher to deliver sparkling clean dishes on every cycle.

Water Softener Service 317-537-9707
Water Softener Service 317-537-9707

Limescale Buildup

Dish spotting and white film are some of the common results of limescale accumulation in dishwasher plumbing, so if this is what you are seeing after a dishwasher cycle, limescale is the likely culprit. Where does this limescale come from? Well, water contains hard mineral ions, and when heated at high temperatures, these hard minerals it evaporates very fast, precipitate out of the water, and settle as solid debris. This sediment, or limescale, is generally comprised of calcium carbonate, which is what leaves the tell-tale white film and spots on your dishes after the dishwasher has completed its drying cycle.

Limescale doesn’t just affect your dishes, it also accumulates on all appliance components, including the pump, plumbing connects, and the inside surfaces. This is where the mechanical malfunctions can happen as a result of limescale accumulation. After some time, the limescale causes the dishwasher to operate at an inefficient level, and as mentioned before, this will cause higher energy and water bills, repair costs, and potentially full-on appliance replacement.

How to Manage Limescale

Limescale is inevitable to a certain extent, but it can be well-managed with some good practices and over-the-counter products. For starters, be sure you are using a quality dishwashing detergent, whether in liquid, powder, or capsule form. A highly recommended product is Cascade Pure Rinse formula ™, which offers a clear rinse cycle additive that helps eliminate excess limescale accumulation.

Special Tip: If you have a serious hard water problem, avoid using citrus-scented products and dishwashing gels.

When shopping around for a dishwasher detergent, be sure to stick with low or no Phosphate detergents. Another highly recommended dishwashing product to consider adding to your routine is Glass Magic™, which will protect your clear glasses from spotting and other blemishes caused by hard water deposits.

Adding a cup of white vinegar to the final water rinse cycle can also help clear the pump, plumbing, and racks of such deposits. But do not put the vinegar in the dishwasher door, but rather, in a cup on the top rack. You can also try dishwasher cleaners, such as Dishwasher Magic™ or Jet Dry™, which are specially formulated to speed up the hard water deposit removal process.

Another Tip: Keep your inlet water supply set to at least 120 degrees. You may also want to try reducing your detergent usage, as using too much soap can cause white film and deposits on dishes.

After 3 months or so, you will not need to use these descaling products as much. Once you have your limescale issue controlled, simply incorporate them into your dishwashing routine as needed. If you are still having problems with dish spotting and limescale, it may be due to poor water softening. Contact a local and licensed water softening company for hard water removal advice and service.

Indianapolis Water Softener Installation

Call 317-537-9707 for Indianapolis water softener service at an affordable price. We are highly trained and licensed water softener contractors that provide a wide range of commercial and residential water softener services at the most competitive prices in town. We also offer water softener service coupons and discounts. Request a free estimate, today!

Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Posted in Hard Water | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on How to Manage Dishwasher Spots and Limescale

Common Problems With Water Softeners and How to Fix Them

Posted on May 24, 2019 by admin

One of the most common problems with water softeners is one of the easier to correct! It is important to read through your water softener owners’ manual to learn exactly how to operate its system. This includes learning how to cut its power, refill with salt, service schedules, and more. Aside from user error, there are many other kinds of issues home owners have with their water conditioning systems.

Continue reading to learn which issues are the most common, and whether or not you can find the answers to your own water softener dilemmas.

Water Softener Repair Service Indianapolis Indiana
Water Softener Repair and Service 317-537-9707

Frequent Regeneration

If your water softener requires regenerating more frequently than it should, it could be due to defective resin beads, which are only used in salt-based water softener systems. So if you have another type, beads are not your problem. To resolve this issue, contact a professional water softener repair company for service.

Line Blockages

Water softener lines can become blocked by salt and mineral deposits that build up over time. This generally occurs in the filter screens and brine lines. Signs of a potential blockage are easy to see, such as spots on dishes, dingy laundry, residue buildup in hair, dry skin, and white film around plumbing fixtures. Fortunately, line blockages are simple to fix with the help of a licensed technician.

Salt Bridges

Salt bridges build up inside the water softener tank. These are called salt bridges because they almost take on the form of a bridge as a result of sodium-forming piles. When a water softener begins to lose performance value, it could be caused by salt bridging inside the tank. A common indication is if the water softener fails to enter a regeneration cycle, or if it operates but does not soften the water.

Hard Water

Aside from use error, another major problem people have with their water softener is that they still have hard water. If your water is still testing too high in hard mineral content, you can physically see, taste, and feel the effects of hard water, you need a new water conditioning plan. Most likely, your unit is too old and needs to be replaced. Other causes could be your region, municipal water supply, and various other sources. To resolve this issue, you will need to contact a professional water softening company for a new water softener, or for additional water purification systems.

Indianapolis Water Softener Service and Repair

Call 317-537-9707 for reputable water softener service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are happy to answer your questions about which water softeners are best for your home’s hard water removal needs. Our technicians offer residential and commercial water softener repair, installation, service, and replacement for all make and model units. We also offer several water softener service coupons! Whether you need to buy a water softener, or simply want to inquire about them, we are the place to start. Request a free estimate, or to schedule an appointment, today.

Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Posted in Hard Water, Water Softener Repair | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Common Problems With Water Softeners and How to Fix Them

Can Hard Water Damage Hair?

Posted on April 16, 2019 by admin

You likely know that hard water can cause limescale buildup, which in turn leads to poor plumbing performance, plumbing repairs, and increased energy bills. But did you know that hard water can have several negative effects on your body too? Not only can hard water cause changes in your skin, like dryness and itchiness, it can also change the way your hair looks, feels, and behaves.

Continue reading to learn how hard water can damage your hair, as well as, how to resolve a hard water problem in order to protect all aspects of your well-being.

Water Softener Service 317-537-9707
Water Softener Service 317-537-9707

What is Hard Water?

It helps to understand what hard water is before learning how it can affect hair. Hard water is water that contains higher traces of hard mineral content, namely iron, calcium, and magnesium. These hard mineral ions are accumulated when rain water trickles down through the earth’s soil and rock. And although our municipal water companies provide state-regulated water purification for our towns, there is still a nominal amount of hard mineral ions in tap water.

Fortunately, there are plenty of methods to reduce or eliminate hard minerals in your tap water. But before we get to these solutions, let’s talk about your hair.

Hair is affected by hard water in that it can begin to experience exponential dryness, brittleness, splitting ends, fading color treatments, and even heavy residue buildup. You will quickly notice a difference in the way your hair behaves when you have a hard water problem because every day will start to feel like a “bad hair day.” After a few weeks of dealing with such problems, you may begin to ask yourself why this is happening.

You see, hard water does not lather well in water, which also means your showers will feel less adequate and satisfying when scrubbing down. As a result of poor lather aptitude, shampoos and conditioners do not rinse out well either. Unfortunately, most do not realize they have not washed all the shampoo out of their hair because hard water can be quite deceiving.

Let’s Get to the Solutions!

If you have dry skin, dingy hair, stiff or faded laundry, poor performing water-related appliances, and other tell-tale signs of a hard water problem, your best bet is to purchase a quality water softener. If you already have one, you are definitely in need of some repair or even a replacement. See our blog, “Do I Need a New Water Softener?” to learn how you can tell the difference.

If you do not yet own a water softener, you will soon learn that is it one of the most imperative and beneficial appliances you can have in your home. Not only can it prevent costly plumbing breakdowns and lower energy bills, it can also pamper you, enhance your clothing, clean up your dishes, and much more. See our blog, “What are the Benefits of a Water Softener?” to learn exactly how your life can change with a water conditioning system.

Where to Get Trusted Water Softener Advice

Call 317-537-9707 for professional Indianapolis water softener service you can afford. We are professional plumbing experts that offer a wide range of residential and commercial water softener repair and service at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-537-9707 for Indianapolis water softener repair, today.

Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Water Softener Services 317-537-9707
Posted in Hard Water | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Can Hard Water Damage Hair?

How Does a Water Softener Turn Hard Water into Soft Water?

Posted on March 11, 2019 by admin

Aside from their bi-annual maintenance schedule, water softeners are one of those appliances that you tend to not put much though into. All you know is, hard water goes in, and soft water comes out; and that’s all that’s important. But water softeners are not magic; there are scientific and mechanical processes that occur in order to turn hard water into soft water.

Continue reading to learn how a water softener works. This understanding can help you take better care of your unit, and as a result, support reliable, long-term performance and preventing costly repairs and replacements.

Water Softener Service 317-537-9707
Water Softener Service 317-537-9707

Hard Water Removal

Water softeners are meant to remove hard minerals from our tap water. But how do they do it? It all starts with ion exchange technology, which replaces hard ions with sodium or potassium ions. You see, water softeners basically exchange the hard minerals in your water with soft ones. So where to the hard ions go after they are traded out for soft ones?

The answer involves resin beads. For a better understanding, here is a step-by-step explanation of the water conditioning process:

There are water intake pipes in your house that are connected to your water softener, and your water softener is connected to your home’s whole plumbing system. City water travels through the water intake pipes to your water softener tank. Within the water softener tank are important softening components called resin beads.

Resin beads are regenerated nightly with sodium or potassium pellets. This renders them negatively charged, which attracts positively-charged hard mineral ions in hard water. So when the city water enters the water softener tank and flows through the resin beads, they absorb all the hard mineral ions, such as calcium and magnesium.

Once the resin beads are full of the hard mineral ions, they need to be flushed and recharged. This process is called regeneration, which usually occurs in the early morning hours when you are asleep. During the regeneration process, the brine solution (made by your water softener salt) and hard ions are flushed from the resin tank, and eliminated through a nearby drain.

Water Softener Repair in Indianapolis

Water Softener Repair Coupons Indianapolis Indiana 317-537-9707

Call 317-537-9707 for professional water softener service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are highly-qualified and experienced water softener contractors that provide residential and commercial services at the most competitive prices in town. We offer water softener repair, installation, service, sales, and more! Request a free estimate, today.

Posted in water softeners | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on How Does a Water Softener Turn Hard Water into Soft Water?

Will a Water Softener Make My Tap Water Taste Better?

Posted on February 18, 2019 by admin

It is gravely disappointing to fill your glass with ice cold water from the tap, only for it to taste like a mouthful of pennies. And beverages are not the only thing that is affected by bad-tasting water; soup, pasta, oatmeal, baked goods, and any other recipes that call for water will not taste as good if your water tastes bad. Fortunately, poor-quality tap water is something you don’t have to live with. There are various solutions to improving the taste and overall quality of your home’s water. Best of all, these solutions are actually affordable.

Continue reading to learn how installing a water softener can drastically improve your tap water, and additional steps you can take to make your water the best it can be.

Indianapolis Water Softening I317-537-9707
Indianapolis Water Softening I317-537-9707

Hard Water

How does water become hard? When it rains, water trickles down through the rocks, soil, and limestone, on its way to the local water table. Along this journey, rain water gathers up a variety of dissolved minerals, primarily iron, magnesium, and calcium. This groundwater is where our homes and offices get our water supplies. And although it goes through our city’s water treatment plant first, water companies do not soften water, they simply make it safe and clean for consumption. So as you can see, drinking water with these constituents would not, and should not, taste very good.

 If you do not treat a hard water problem, overtime the hard mineral ions will accumulate and develop into a limescale, which is a hardened crusty film that greatly reduces the quality, performance, and efficiency of your plumbing, appliances, and more. Not only can hard water make your food and beverages taste bad, it can also cause a lot of costly problems, like appliance repairs and replacements, lack of hot water, increase utility bills, poor-quality clothing and laundry, and much more. But that’s not all; hard water also affects you’re the quality of hair, skin, and nails.

Water Softening

Water softeners primarily serve the purpose of eliminating hard, dissolved mineral ions from your home’s water supply, and replacing them with softer ones, like sodium chloride and potassium. See our blog, “The Basics of Water Softening” to learn the fundamental operate of water conditioning systems. This change in composition renders water softer, which means it has a drastically lower level of hard minerals. Soft water will perform much differently than hard water, providing better conditions for your plumbing systems, dishes, appliances, hair, skin, laundry, and food and beverages. See our blog, “What are the Benefits of a Water Softener?” to learn all of the advantages of having soft water.

Where to Get Trusted Soft Water Advice

Indianapolis Water Softener Repair 317-537-9707

Call 317-537-9707 for Indianapolis water softener service at an affordable price. We are highly trained and licensed water softener contractors that provide a wide range of commercial and residential water softener services at the most competitive prices in town. We also offer free advice, emergency service, and various coupons and discounts. Request a free estimate, today!

Posted in Soft Water | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Will a Water Softener Make My Tap Water Taste Better?

Water Softener Terms for Upgrades and Features

Posted on January 31, 2019 by admin

In last month’s blog, we went over a long list of important water softener terms that you should know, whether you are on the market for a new unit, or already own one. In this month’s blog, as promised, we will continue our discussion of important water softener terminology by explaining some recommended features and upgrades. Get started, below!

Indianapolis Water Softener Service
Indianapolis Water Softener Service 317-537-9707

If you want to improve or enhance the performance of your water softener, you should definitely consider these amazing and cost-effective features and upgrades:

✏ Water Softener Cleanser

Water softener cleanser is an important product. It can take your unit from okay to fantastic, overnight. Use a water softener cleaner every 3 to 4 months to reduce harmful deposits that can negatively effective your unit’s performance and efficiency. It protects the resin bed, valves, and all other components of your water softener.

✏ Sediment Filter

A sediment filter is a component that you can add to your water softener that is specially designed to filter out sediment, silt, and other hard solid debris that comes from the well or water main. Not only can sediment buildup clog plumbing, it can cause a long list of performance issues and even an increase in energy bills.

✏ Water Refiner

A water refiner is a type of hybrid whole home filter system designed to remove chlorine and other contaminants from tap water.

✏ Blending Valve

Those who do not like their water too slick might prefer slightly harder water. A blending valve is a water softener upgrade that can provide this. Basically, this valve permits a small amount of hard water to remain in the home’s overall water supply, while still softening the rest.

✏ Reverse Osmosis (RO) System

A reverse osmosis system (RO) is not necessarily a water softening system as much as it is a water filtration system. However, it still removes heavy metals and various other contaminants, which at least improves the quality of your drinking water. Most RO systems can remove 95 to 99 percent of total dissolved solids (TDS) and several other impurities. They can even reduce the taste and odor of chlorine.

✏ Well Water Iron Filtration

High traces of iron and manganese in drinking water, especially when sourced from a well, should be treated in order to avoid health and plumbing issues. Water that contains high trances of these elements can take on reddish, brownish, or orange-like hues, which can stain laundry, plumbing fixtures, and more. It can also cause foul metallic tastes and rotten odors. One of the most effective ways to combat well water iron issues is to install a whole house iron filtration system.

Where to Get Trusted Water Softener Service

Indianapolis Water Softener Repair 317-537-9707
Request a Quote! 317-537-9707

Call 317-537-9707 for professional Indianapolis water softener service and repair you can afford. Our licensed contractors have decades of experience in the plumbing and water conditioning industry. Not only will we install your water softener at an affordable price, we will sell you a quality unit too! Call 317-537-9707 to request a free estimate for water softeners, today.

Posted in water softeners | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Water Softener Terms for Upgrades and Features

Important Water Softener Terms You Need to Know

Posted on December 17, 2018 by admin

Whether you are in need of water softener repair, or on the market for a brand new unit, it is important to equip yourself with the right knowledge. The perfect place to start is by learning important water softener terminology.Continue reading to get started!

Water Softener Service 317-537-9707
Water Softener Service 317-537-9707

Hard Water

Hard water is natural water that contains high levels of hard minerals, namely iron, calcium, and magnesium. These hard mineral ions accumulate in water as it permeates through the rock and soil underground. For this reason, hard water levels vary among regions. Hard water is any water that has more than 7 grains per gallon (GPG). In contrast, soft water is any water that has less than 1 GPG. Sot water is water that has been treated to remove hardness.

Water Softener Capacity

Water softener capacity refers to the amount of hard mineral content a water softener can remove before it needs to enter its regeneration cycle. Capacity is measured by the amount of hardness it can remove before it regenerates, while the level of hardness in water is measured by “grains per gallon.”  When shopping around for water softeners, you will notice this numeric rating on all the models you look at.

Grains Per Gallon (GPG)

As mentioned above, the level of water hardness is measured in “grans per gallon”, with 1 grain being equivalent to 1/7000th of a pound of dissolved mineral ions. Most water softeners are advertised as being any where from 24,000 to 64,000 grain water softeners. For example, a 24,000grain water softener means it can remove 24,000 grains of hardness before there generation cycle. Furthermore, a 32,000 grain system can remove 32,000.

The water softener you need largely depends on the size of your home and the number of its occupants. To calculate the water softener size, simply multiply the number of occupants in your home with the number of gallons of water they use on a daily basis. For example, if you have 5 people living in your home who use up approximately 80 gallons of water per day (a common average), you will calculate 400 gallons a day. Most often, a five person household will use a 32,000 grain water softener.

Parts Per Million (PPM)

Hard water is generally measured in Grains Per Gallon, but can also be read in Parts Per Million (ppm), or even Milligrams of Calcium (Ca). Parts Per Million (PPM) is rarely used, but you may come across it on some units you look at. For your knowledge, 1 GPG is equal to 17.1 PPM.

Resin Tank

The resin tank is the area of the water softener where incoming hard water passes through to be conditioned. Within this tank are the resin beads, which are negatively-charged. When hard water passes through these beads, they absorb all the hard mineral ions and exchange them with positively-charged sodium or potassium ones. This process is called ion exchange, which renders the water soft.

Brine Tank

The brine tank is where the salt pellets go. You will likely need to fill up your water softener brine tank around 7 or 8 times per year. It should be filled 50% of the way at all times in order to ensure properly softened water.

Brine Solution

Brine solution is produced and used during the regeneration cycle. The water softener system pulls the salt from the brine tank and combines it with water to make a brine solution. This solution serves as a cleanser, essentially “scrubbing” the resin beads clean of the hard mineral ions they collected during the day.

Regeneration

After sometime, water softener resin beads become too saturated to work effectively, so they need to be cleansed. This process is known as the regeneration cycle. Although it differs among all make and models,the basic process involves flushing the polystyrene beads inside the resin tank with a salt brine solution, as mentioned above. The leftover salty wastewater is then flushed out of the home.

Most traditional tank-style water conditioners have automatic regeneration devices. They either use a clock or timer, or they monitor the quantity of water in the tank (these are called demand-initiated regeneration softeners), in order to assess its regeneration needs.

Manual regeneration means that you would adjust the settings yourself in order to prompt a regeneration cycle. Depending on the make and model, this is done using a hand-controlled knob that you rotate, or a dial that requires a screwdriver to turn through each stage of the regeneration process.

✨ Tune in next month for an explanation of terms regarding recommended water softener features and upgrades!

Indianapolis Water Softener Service

Indianapolis Water Softener Repair 317-537-9707

Call 317-537-9707 for professional water softener installation and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are professional plumbing experts that offer a wide range of residential and commercial water softener repair and service at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-537-9707for Indianapolis water softener repair, today.

Posted in water softeners | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Important Water Softener Terms You Need to Know