Homeowners who reside in geographies that serve hard water may find a total-home water softening solution can yield many benefits. Hard water can take it's toll on appliances, hardware, laundry, dishes, fixtures, pipes, skin and hair!
Water gets its hardness from the mineral deposits it absorbs as it passes through rocky soil. A water softener system removes calcium, magnesium, and other metal cation, resulting in reduced contaminants, scale buildup, and electricity use. While soft water can make cleaning easier, the softening filtration system could also reduce water pressure in the home. Typical ranges considered to be 'good' water pressure fall between 50-70 psi. Pressure below 40 psi can be irritating, time consuming, and less efficient for domestic use (e.g., washing and bathing). Pressure above 70psi can damage appliances.
Depending on the type of of softener and plumbing systems in the home, it is possible to fix low water pressure caused by the installation of a softening system. From booster pumps and pressure reducing valves, to clearing clogged aerators and diagnosing leaks, troubleshoot the problem by first by-passing the softener to see if water pressure to the home increases.
In some cases, city residents may find that the settings for the softening system cannot be further optimized, and homeowners may find that the only way to increase water pressure to the home is to ask the city to increase the pressure at the supply. This method, however, will impact all residents served by the supply line, and may not be approvable.
Before you install a water softening system, check with city ordinances to see if a backflow preventor device will be required for your system. If it is, be warned that these devices can further deteriorate water pressure. It may be a good idea to first interview residents who have systems installed in your area and discuss the impact on water pressure to the home before you go to the expense of installing a water softening system.
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