Have you ever had your home's water quality tested? Most homeowners haven't. This is surprising given that more often than not, contaminants are found in residential water supplies. Whether you are getting your water from a well or from the city, it's important to test every so often to ensure the integrity of your water. Some signs that indicate testing is a must are foul-smelling water, floating objects in your water, or if your water has an orange color. These can certainly be an indication of less than ideal water quality.

The good news is your plumber offers options to fix all types of water problems. These include water filtration systems and water softeners. But, how do you know which is the right option for you? After all, no one wants to spend money. They don't have to use a system that's not perfect for their needs.

What Is A Water Softener?

A water softener system does exactly what it sounds like it does. It will soften your home's water. But, what does this actually mean? Hard water is notorious for leaving hard water stains on surfaces. It can also contribute to itchy skin or even cause you to break out. Hard water is not ideal for many reasons, including leaving behind scaly deposits in your sink, shower, and tub. Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium that lead to hard water stains.

What Is A Water Filter?

Water filtration systems are most commonly used. They filter out all contaminants, including lead, chlorine, arsenic, and more. Water filters have a very different job than water softeners. They change the taste.

Can’t I Just Install A Water Filter?

In short, yes, you can. However, water filters will need to be changed out more frequently due to collecting calcium and magnesium. Expect to replace your filters every month to every other month when using a single system, or every six months for the whole home. If you do not want to change the taste of your water, some do like their water’s taste; softener systems can be a better choice to eliminate the hard water.

Final Thoughts