Water Softeners

If you’re a Texas native, you likely know that most parts of the state are notorious for having hard water. Hard water can cause all sorts of unfortunate issues for the residents of cities like Humble. It can cause many issues in plumbing pipes and home appliances over time — not to mention it can wreak havoc on our skin!

Fortunately, Air Tech of Humble & Plumbing is here to help by providing all the information you need about hard water and offering water softening solutions to free your home from the problems caused by hard water.

What Is Hard Water?

You’ve likely heard all about hard water, but it’s not exactly a self-explanatory term. Simply put, water hardness is a measure of the number of dissolved minerals — usually calcium and magnesium — in water. Hard water is water with a higher than normal amount of dissolved minerals. But how do you know if your water is hard?

It’s not difficult to detect hard water in your home. If your hands feel slimy after you wash them or your water glasses have gotten white film or residue on them over time, you have hard water. Maybe your sinks, toilets and appliances have become ridden with stains and buildup. This is hard water residue, or “scale,” due to the high mineral content of your water.

Common Hard Water Problems

While all water has minerals such as calcium and magnesium in it, too much of these minerals can have negative effects.

Some of these include:

• Hard water stains on surfaces that often get wet (toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, dishes, etc.)
• Mineral buildup in pipes and appliances that blocks the flow of water
• Dry or irritated skin
• Residue buildup in hair
• Increased soap and detergent use (hard water makes lathering more difficult)

While a little residue on your glasses doesn’t seem like a big deal, buildup in your pipes and appliances can cause water leaks, inefficient operation and even require early replacement. Dealing with the problems caused by hard water will cost you more time and money in the long run than tackling the source of the issue.

How Water Softeners Work

Water softeners are the preferred solution to hard water problems. All of the water you use in your home will first filter through this system, which uses sodium ions to capture minerals in your water and remove them, sending clean, “soft” water into your home for use. Whether you’re doing laundry, cleaning the dishes or showering, soft water will make the experience easier and prevent damage from hard water.

Water Softener Installation

If you decide to replace or install a new water softener, it is a good idea to seek the help of a licensed plumber. Our team at Air Tech is trained to analyze and recognize all potential problems when installing systems and correct them for you. Whether you need to replace your current water softener or invest in your first water softener system, Air Tech’s expert plumbers will make the installation process simple and easy.

From choosing a system to installation, we promise fast, high-quality workmanship and excellent customer service. You’ll immediately see the difference in your water. We have the expertise to make sure your installation doesn’t cause you any problems in the future. We want to make sure Humble water quality is the cleanest and softest it can be, for your comfort.

Humble Water Softener Maintenance

Besides the regular addition of salt to your system, the best maintenance that can be done for your water softener can actually be completed in a couple of small steps. Taking these steps about once a year can do wonders for the health and life of your system.

The Brine Tank

Cleaning the brine tank is usually an infrequent necessity, but sediment from the salts the system uses can build up in the bottom of the brine tank. This can cause clogs and prevent the salt from dissolving correctly. A clean tank will allow the water to flow correctly and the salt to dissolve.

First, you will need to drain the brine tank. Next, disconnect the brine tank from the resin column. Once the brine tank is free, you can move it to a drain or outside to empty the final contents. Be careful where you empty this as the water inside the tank may harm vegetation if poured directly onto it.

Remove the grid plate and rinse the inside of the tank. Using dish soap and a soft scrub brush remove any dirt or grime from the sides and bottom of the tank.

Reinstall the brine tank. Reposition the grid plate and fill with salts. Set the regeneration cycle to refill the tank or run a manual regeneration cycle. If you have a post-fill system you will need to add several gallons of water before running the regeneration cycle.

The Resin Tank

Cleaning resin beads with a suitable water softener cleaner is recommended. Look in your owner’s manual for instructions on which cleaners work best for your system. The cleaners themselves will also have instructions on them.

Check for Leaks

While cleaning the other two parts of the system, check for cracks and leaks. Make sure that the connections between the brine tank and the resin column are secure when you reconnect them. Also, look at the supply lines in and out of the unit for cracks or bubbles. Replace any lines that look damaged.

***If you don’t feel comfortable performing this maintenance on your system, our team is here to help. Just contact us, and we’ll send an experienced technician in Humble to help you out.