Do I Need a Water Softener or Filter?

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Depending on where you live, untreated tap water could be foul-smelling and tasting. Besides, the presence of minerals in unprocessed water could build up in your faucets and appliances, quickens pipe corrosion and has harmful effects on your skin, hair, and clothing. Two common tap water treatment processes are water filtration and water softening. If you do not use either of them and are wondering which one you will use, read this post. You will get a convincing answer.

What things exist in your tap water? 

To decide whether you use a water softener or filter, you have to understand first what things exist in your tap water and so why you need to treat the water.

In Urban areas, underground water is the common source of water for household uses like drinking, washing clothes and preparing food. However, unlike surface water, water pumped out below the ground contains a higher percentage of minerals. And these minerals are not beneficial for city dwellers. The responsible city authority knows it well. 

So, they processed the water to make it safe for human consumption. Unfortunately, their water treatment process is inadequate and cannot remove minerals like magnesium and calcium from the water. The process also failed to get free of water from potentially harmful chemicals like pesticides and herbicides. And, this where water filtering and softening come into play. Installing a combined water softening and water filtration system can improve the quality of your tap water. So, only one water purification system is not effective enough to make the water free of all types of impurities. Let us find out why you cannot rely on only one type of water purifier? To find the answer, you need to understand how each of them works. 

How do water softeners work?

A water softener uses ion exchange technology. In this technology, water is passed through a bed that is filled with sodium ions. When the water passed through this bed, ion exchange took place in the system. Calcium and magnesium that make water hard exchange with sodium ions. then the water you get from a softener is now free of hard water causing elements. Getting soft water means the water is free of calcium ions and you will no longer observe horrible rings in your bathtub. Another useful sign of soft water is your soap will make plenty of foam in this type of water. There are many models water softeners in the market

How do water filters work

In a water filtration machine, impurities that exist in water are trapped in the filter. Most filters come with a cartridge membrane that contains the contaminants. And, cartridge membranes need to be replaced after a certain period of time.    

However, the limitation of water filters is while they effectively remove contaminants from water, but they failed to remove hard water causing elements like calcium and magnesium.

The benefits of installing a water softener in your home

The biggest benefit you will get is the durability of your plumbing fixtures will increase and you will get cleaner home appliances. The other benefits are as follows

• shinier silverware, mirrors, tiles, cars
• Smooth and soft hair and skin
• Less use of shampoo and soap
• Fabrics will remain soft and clean for a long time
• Ensures the least damage to appliances

Two misconceptions related with water softener

Many consumers are not concerned with the purity of the water treated with the water softener. However, some customers are a little hesitant about this machine because of two issues. These are

Health: Some people are sensitive to soft water. It is because drinking plenty of soft water may lower their blood pressure.

Washing issues

Some people believe that soft water is not as effective as hard water when it comes to cleaning your clothing.  

The benefits of installing a water filter in your home

• This water purification system effectively removes chlorine from water. The element chlorine is an effective disinfectant. But it also makes water smelly.
• Removes another element fluoride that is toxic for children. The element is also equally damaging to adults since it is believed to causes gastrointestinal problems and life terminating disease cancer. 
• It removes pathogen from water
• And finally removes lead.  

Conclusion 

Both water softener and water filter are great water purification systems; although, they function differently. The softener makes the water tasty and the filter makes the water healthy. The best thing is installing a combined softening and filtering system to enjoy healthy and tasty water.

Courtney P.

I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!

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