5 Tell-Tale Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Water Softener

Water softening systems are worthwhile investments that eliminate all of a home’s hard water troubles. If you live in hard water areas, chances are you probably already have a water softener installed in your home.

Here’s the good news: If you buy the right water softener, it’s likely to serve you well for a long time. But like all appliances, it doesn’t last forever. Eventually, components break, electrical problems occur, and it just stops working.

A high-quality water softener like Clack will last between 10 to 15 years. Once your water softener is past its prime, it will not be as efficient and effective when treating your water.

Here are some of the signs that you need to look for that it’s time to upgrade your water softener.

1.    Water Feels Different

If you’ve used both hard water and soft water, you can tell the difference.

Soft water gives the soap a rich lather, whether you are washing your body in the shower or washing dishes in the sink. Soft water generally feels more pleasant and less drying than hard water.

On the other hand, with hard water, you will have a more difficult time lathering and you might feel a film on your skin when you step out of the shower. This film forms when the soap you use reacts with the calcium present in hard water and creates soap scum. You might notice soap scum on your body, feel it in your hair or have it on your hands when you try to use normal soaps in hard water instead of soft water.

2.    Changes in Water Pressure

There are a few things that can change your water pressure, but if you notice a gradual change over time it can be an indicator that you need to replace your water softener.

This can happen as calcium and the other minerals present in hard water start to build up in your pipes. As these substances accumulate, the water flow in your pipes will decrease and potentially lower your water pressure.

Because this buildup can be expensive to remove or fix, it’s critical to make sure that your water softener is in good condition. You don’t want to risk poor water flow in your pipes for the indefinite future just because there were too many minerals in your water!

3.    Water Tastes Different

Hard water tastes different from soft water. If you are used to drinking soft water, you can quickly differentiate if the water in your home begins to have increased mineral content.

Any time that your water develops a strange or off-putting taste, it’s a sign that something is wrong with your water. In some cases, it could mean that chemicals or contaminants are present, and in other cases, it might mean that it’s time for you to replace your water softener.

4.    Hard Water Spots Around Your Home

The minerals that are naturally present in hard water can cause a crusty buildup around your pipes and faucets. After you get out of the shower and the water dries, are there noticeable spots on the shower door?

Pay attention to your faucets when you are cleaning the kitchen and bathroom. If you notice a chalky substance building up around them, this could be a sign that you need to take a look at your softener.

Scale buildup comes from calcium and magnesium, and several other metals, inside of hard water, so it should not be present if you have a properly functioning water softener.

5.    Uses Extra Salt

If you have an older water softener unit, there’s a good chance that it uses a lot of salt to get the job done compared to newer models. Salt will do an effective job at softening your water, but it also means that you will need to check the salt levels regularly and routinely purchase more salt to refill it.

CWS Clack Water Softener is a customizable water softener that not only monitors your water consumption but also uses only the necessary water and salt in the backwash/regeneration phase, thus saving on your salt and water consumption.

Features to Look for in a New Water Softener

New water softeners using latest technology cut down on salt and water usage and regenerate using the exact amount needed- creating much less waste than antiquated systems. The right softener for your home will save you money in the long run. Less waste means lower energy bills and more money in your pocket.

Here are some key features to seek when researching for a new water softening system:

Greater Efficiency

Timer-controlled water softeners regenerate at a fixed schedule regardless of water use and are inefficient to use.

Always look for volumetric/meter-controlled systems that are usually digital and work on demand triggered by the amount of water used. This leads to higher efficiency, lower salt consumption and increased lifespan of the softening unit.

Customization

Quality systems offer programming flexibility. For instance, you can adjust the softness level of the water. You can even decide when the unit regenerates; many choose a time when water isn’t being used in the home.

Capacity

When selecting a new water softener, always check if it would be sufficient for your home. A small sized water softener in a home that requires high flow rates won’t be able to meet the demand as it won’t allow enough time for ion exchange.

An undersized that is too small would exhaust ahead of schedule, wear out quickly and require more money to maintain.

Naturally, you’ll want to get the most value for your money when making this type of investment. Read this blog to read in detail what to look for when buying a new water softener.

Ready to upgrade your water softener?

Replacing an old water softener can make your life at home much easier. Getting a new water softener also allows you to take advantage of updated features and technologies in water treatment.

CWS Clack Water Softener is the perfect solution to solving hard water problems in your home. Trusted by over 20,000 families in Ireland, it removes all the limescale in your house giving you complete peace of mind.

With nearly 20 years in the business, you can rest assured you are dealing with the best company when it comes to water treatment.

If you need more information on CWS Clack Water Softener, feel free to contact our team of experts.
 
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