The Problems with Hard Water
Untreated hard water naturally contains trace amounts of heavy minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals will collect on the insides of your pipes and, over time, constrict the flow of water. Compromised pipes can create leaks or clogs that lead to bigger plumbing issues.
A water softener from Ben Franklin plumbing can remove these dangerous minerals from your home’s water and keep your pipes in working order for years to come.
What Hard Water Does in Your Home
Not only do the minerals from hard water accumulate in your pipes, they affect your appliances. Your water heater, coffee maker, dishwasher, and washing machine can all develop the same mineral sediment. This build-up is hard on appliances and impact their efficiency and lifespan.
Hard water also reacts with soaps and cleaning detergents to form a scummy, chalky substance. Soap scum makes cleaning products less effective and requires more scrubbing to get suds. Dishes and glassware washed in hard water will sometimes have spots or rings left behind, even after multiple washes.
Like its name implies, hard water is harder on clothing, hair, and skin. The minerals in your water can be abrasive and damaging. Your water might even taste metallic or smell unpleasant.
How A Water Softener Works
Water softeners work by using a process called ion conversion. This process replaces the hard minerals in your water with softer, less intrusive minerals such as sodium.
Other than periodically filling up your water softener with the proper softening agent such as solar salt, rock salt, or evaporated salt (which you can buy at your local grocery or hardware store), your water softener is maintenance free.
With softened water, you won’t have to worry about the issues hard water brings. Soft water doesn’t buildup scale, is easier on water-based appliances, doesn’t generate soap scum, and won’t hurt your skin or hair. According to a study conducted by Water Quality Research Foundation Battelle Institute, installing a water softener could actually save you up to $480 annually!
Water Softener Repair, Dallas
If your home has an existing water softener that’s not working properly, Ben Franklin Plumbing can service or repair it. Water softeners should last 20 years if properly cared for.
Periodically check your water softener. Make sure your settings are optimized for the amount of water and hardness you’re treating. If your family has grown or your water use changed, you may need to adjust your settings or consider a different model for your needs.
Periodic cleaning is one of the best ways to extend the life of your water heater. Sediment naturally builds up over time and removing it will keep your softener running its best. When you have a professional clean your water softener, they can also inspect it for other issues and make the appropriate repairs.
Looking for water softener repair in your home? We are currently offering $50 off any plumbing repair! 
Commercial Water Softener Dallas, TX
Homes aren’t the only places with hard water. If your business is experiencing issues with water hardness, we can help.
A plumbing technician from Benjamin Franklin can assess your water needs and install the appropriate water softener. We know your business hours are important and we extend our punctual plumber guarantee to all our customers, commercial and residential.
Hard Water Treatment for The Entire Dallas Metro
With Benjamin Franklin branches around the metro, no pipe will go overlooked. If you’re tired of the hard water coming into your home or business, reach out to your nearest punctual plumber for top quality advice and installation of a water softening system.
We’ll make sure that your pipes, your appliances and your people all get water that’s healthy, clean and safe.
Water Softener FAQ
If you feel a thin film on your hands when washing or see spots on dishes or clothing, you probably have hard water. You can perform a simple test by filling a plastic bottle half full with water, adding dish soap and shaking. If you don’t get bubbles and your water has a milky quality, it’s hard. You can also purchase a testing kit at a hardware or home improvement store for more accurate results.
The “system” is simply the water softening unit properly integrated into your existing plumbing.
Absolutely! Softened water is totally safe for your family. While a softener uses sodium to remove the calcium and magnesium ions from your water, it doesn’t leave a salty taste or unhealthy levels of sodium in your water.
A water softener uses the simple chemical process of ion exchange to swap out the hard minerals in incoming water for softer, easier to manage minerals. It supplies your home with water that cleans and tastes better.
A water softener is hard wired into your plumbing system. It takes water from your supply and softens it before it travels to the rest of your home. If you’re comfortable with advanced plumbing, you could install your softener yourself. Shut off your water at the main shut off, drain your pipes and install the softener after your water meter but before your hot water heater. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have any reservations about your ability, hire a professional plumber to do the job right,
If your unit isn’t working, it may be due to mineral build up in the tank. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to drain and clean your softener. If it still doesn’t work, call Benjamin Franklin for prompt repair service.
Contact Benjamin Franklin. We can help you select the right unit to handle the water use at your location. We can install your unit and ensure the water to your building if safe and properly balanced.
We know that having a plumbing emergency at your business is stressful. Call Benjamin Franklin for fast, reliable service on your commercial water softener. We’re minutes away in the Dallas, McKinney and Plano area.
Sediment naturally builds up in water heaters. You should drain yours every year or so to prevent it from becoming a bigger issue. If you experience a large amount of water heater sediment, it could be due to hard water. Adding a water softener will resolve the issue and extend the life of your appliances.
You’ll want to set the hardness for your specific water. If you haven’t tested your water, buy a testing kit or have a professional test it for you. Once you have a numerical value, you can easily dial it in to your specific unit. You won’t make your water too soft by over setting it, but you may burn through salt more quickly.
With proper installation and regular maintenance, your new unit should last 20 years.
Size depends on the number of people in your home, the amount of water you use and the hardness of your water. Consult the manufacturer’s size chart to choose the right model for your home. Or ask the experts at Benjamin Franklin. We can match you with the right water softener for your needs.