Why You Should Install a Water Softener

If you’re like most Pennsylvanians, you probably deal with hard water. Buildup in your home, dry skin and worn appliances are just a few signs you might need a water softener. At Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, our experienced technicians can test your water and install a range of water-softening systems.

What Is a Water Softener?

Hard water contains higher amounts of calcium and magnesium, which can affect your home and wellness in many ways. A water softener removes these minerals from the water supply.

How to Tell if You Need a Water Softener

If you have hard water, you may notice problems like:

• Scale, film and other buildup around water sources, such as sinks and showers.
• Dry skin and brittle, dull hair.
• Water marks and residue on your dishes.
• Frequent breakdowns in appliances like coffee machines and water heaters.
• Common plumbing issues.
• Faded laundry or a loss of softness in fabrics.

If you’re not sure, we offer free water tests to determine whether you could benefit from a water softener.

Benefits of Water Softening

While hard water isn’t a health problem, it can be frustrating. Some of the benefits of water softeners include:

• Easier household cleaning.
• Softer, more hydrated skin.
• Shiny and strong hair.
• Brighter, softer clothes.
• Reduced damage to plumbing and appliances.
• Cleaner dishes.
• Lower costs from more efficient and long-lasting appliances.

Water Softener Options

Water softeners come in a few styles, depending on your needs. These include:

• Ion exchange water softeners: Traditional water softeners use resin beads, which draw the minerals out of hard water. These beads need to be occasionally exposed to sodium, which is why you must add salt to a conventional water softener.
• Reverse osmosis systems: A reverse osmosis system is a point of use drinking water system which blocks the minerals with a special membrane while allowing water to flow through. It doesn’t need any salt and removes substances like lead, copper and fluoride.

You may also want to add a water filtration solution, which are sometimes built into softening systems. Filters don’t always soften water, but they remove other contaminants like metals, microorganisms, sediment and microplastics.

Get a Free Quote From Zimmerman

The skilled techs at Zimmerman know how to find the right solution to improve the water quality in your home. We can perform a free water test, discuss your budget and install your unit. Reach out today for a free quote!