Water Softener Installation: Give Your Water and Even Softer Touch
Sunshine, sandy beaches, and the sparkling Gulf Coast – Fort Myers offers a slice of paradise. But what flows from your faucet can sometimes feel less than heavenly. While technically classified as “soft” according to the United States Geological Survey, Fort Myers’ water can still harbor enough dissolved minerals to leave a not-so-silky residue on your skin and dishes, and even shorten the lifespan of your appliances. You can give your family, your clothes, and your flatware an assist by softening the water even further.
If you’ve ever stepped out of a refreshing shower, only to find your skin feeling slightly filmy, you know that even “soft” water can leave soap scum buildup. A water softener eliminates this problem entirely, leaving your skin, hair, and laundry feeling luxuriously soft and clean. No more wiping down shower doors after every use, and your favorite bath products will lather beautifully, creating a spa-like experience in your own bathroom.
But the benefits extend far beyond a steamy shower. Soft water is a culinary delight. Coffee and tea brewed with softened water boast richer flavors, Steamed and boiled food retains its natural taste and vibrancy. Dishes emerge from the dishwasher sparkling clean and crystal clean. Colored fabrics stay brighter longer, and whites remain fit for center court at Wimbledon.
How and Why Water Softeners Work
Water softeners are ingenious systems that operate through a process called ion exchange, designed to remove the minerals that contribute to water hardness.
At the heart of a water softener lies the resin tank, which contains a bed of tiny beads coated with sodium ions. When hard water flows into this tank, the negatively charged resin beads attract the positively charged calcium and magnesium ions present in hard water, causing these mineral ions to cling to the resin beads as the water passes through.
This ion exchange process captures the calcium and magnesium ions in the resin, which release sodium ions into the water, effectively swapping them for the hardness-causing minerals. The result is “softer” water free of these troublesome elements.
Sodium chloride – common as table salt – provides the positively charged sodium ions. It is used because it is affordable, effective, efficient, and readily available. The brine tank sits next to the resin tank. It holds the salt needed for the regeneration process. When the resin beads become saturated with calcium and magnesium ions, they need to be refreshed. The water softener initiates the regeneration process by sending salty water (brine) from the brine tank into the resin tank. The high concentration of sodium ions in the brine forces the resin beads to release the captured calcium and magnesium ions, which are then flushed out of the system, leaving the resin beads fully sodium-infused and ready for action once again. To ensure your water softener continues to function optimally, it’s essential to replenish the brine tank with salt periodically.
Soft Skills: The Ben Franklin Difference
You will be surprised at how much a new professionally installed water softener improves your water quality.
The Service Minds Benjamin Franklin Plumbing team ensures that your new system delivers the full range of benefits associated with softened water. When you choose us, you can expect unparalleled expertise, precision, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. We’ll start by helping you select the perfect softener for your home, based on your consumption, number of occupants, and other factors.
Then, we’ll put our decades of experience to work installing, optimizing, and testing your unit to make sure it delivers the full range of advantages. Expert calibration is crucial for its effective operation, uninterrupted soft water availability, and efficient salt use.
We guarantee proper installation including precise connections to your main water supply, drainage, and electrical systems. Don’t try this yourself or trust it to unlicensed or inexperienced contractors. You may find yourself dealing with leaks, inefficiency, damage to both the water softener and your home’s plumbing, and even fire and explosion risk. Our skilled professionals manage every aspect of the installation meticulously, ensuring flawless performance and safety.
