Do I Really Need a Water Softener or Is an Inline Filter Sufficient?
You need clean water for day-to-day routines like cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene. Many Sharonville homeowners consider the question of which is better—a water filter or a water softener? Explore the important differences between inline water filters and whole-house water softeners, the advantages they provide and how to decide which one is best for your needs.
What Is an Inline Water Filter?
An inline water filter is a point-of-entry filtration system that cleans water as it enters your residence. It’s installed right on your main water line, removing sediment, chlorine, bacteria and other impurities from the municipal water supply before it moves into your plumbing fixtures and appliances.
Benefits of Water Filters
If your water comes from a municipal supplier, you may ask yourself why you might need an inline water filter. After all, the water has already been cleansed at a water treatment plant. The problem is, many local water supplies barely meet EPA standards, and water may pick up impurities between the treatment plant and your faucets. Here’s how installing a water filter can assist you:
- Healthier water: Water filters get rid of harmful microorganisms, carcinogenic materials and other potentially harmful particles for safer, better-tasting drinking water.
- Reduced sediment: Water filters minimize sediment collection in your pipes, appliances and fixtures, shielding them from harm.
- No plastic waste: Inline water filters reduce the need for bottled water, contributing to a greener environment.
- Cost-effectiveness: Access to clean, safe tap water saves you from spending extra money on bottled water and decreasesthe pressure on your plumbing system.
How to Tell if You Need a Whole-House Water Filter
About one-third of American households depend on home treatment systems for safe and healthy drinking water. Here are some signals that you might need to get a whole-house water filter:
- Discoloration, unusual taste or nasty smell: If your tap water is anything but absolutely clear, clean-tasting and odor-free, it may be contaminated. Consider putting in a filter for your health and well-being.
- Repeated plumbing problems: A whole-house water filter helps alleviate blocked pipes, low water pressure and other problems.
- Skin discomfort: If you notice anyone in your household suffering from redness, rashes or other skin issues linked to poor water quality, a whole-house water filter may be helpful.
- Past history: Does your local water supply have a record of pollution? Getting a whole-house water filter provides peace of mind against long-term problems.
What Is a Water Softener?
A water softener eliminates calcium and magnesium from your water supply. A process called ion exchange works similar to a chemical magnet, replacing these “hard” minerals with sodium ions to “soften” the water.
Benefits of Water Softeners
If you have hard water, here’s what you’ll observe once you set up a water softener:
- Longer plumbing life span: Soft water minimizes scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, dishwashers and washing machines, prolonging their life span and bettering their appearance.
- Clog-free plumbing: Soft water doesn’t leave a hard mineral coating to adhere to your plumbing system, which helps keep your pipes and faucets flowing easily.
- Better soap lathering: Soft water helps cleaning products lather more effectively, generating cleaner dishes, brighter laundry, and softer skin and hair, even if you use a smaller amount of soap and detergent.
- Energy savings: A water softener helps your plumbing appliances operate efficiently for lower energy bills.
How to Tell if You Need a Water Softener
Most water resources in North America are considered moderately hard, hard or very hard. Learn more by reading your local municipality's water quality report. In the meantime, here are some indicators that you could see a real difference in the quality of water in your home by installing a water softener:
- Scale buildup: A white, chalky substance on your fixtures and appliances is evidence of hard water, as are the white spots on your dishes, glass shower door and coffee maker. A water softener can help eliminate this problem.
- Low water pressure: Showerheads and faucet aerators often become badly blocked by mineral deposits within 18 months of use. Watch for this because it is another indication of hard water.
- Dry skin and hair: Hard water prevents soap from rinsing correctly, resulting in irritated skin and brittle hair.
- Frequent appliance repairs: If your dishwasher or water heater stops functioning frequently due to scale buildup, a water softener may be a worthwhile purchase.
Do You Need Both a Water Filter and a Water Softener?
Inline water filters and water softeners are two tools that supply valuable benefits, but they perform different operations. An inline water filter takes away contaminants and improves overall water quality, while a water softener specifically targets hard minerals. In some circumstances, having a water filter and a water softener is appropriate. Evaluate your specific needs and water quality to determine the best solution for your household.
Schedule Water Filter and Water Softener Installation in Sharonville
Knochelmann Service Experts is a trusted provider of water treatment solutions in Sharonville, such as water filters and water softeners from Excalibur. Our experienced professionals can help you decide if one or both solutions are necessary to help you get the best water quality in your Sharonville home.
