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If you live in the Phoenix area, you’ve experienced hard water before. It shows up on faucets, dishes, and even in your ice cubes. But what even is the difference between hard water vs. soft water, and is one really that much better than the other? In this guide, we’re explaining everything Phoenix, AZ homeowners need to know about water hardness, why it matters, and what steps you can take to improve the quality of your home’s water.
Hard Water vs. Soft Water: What’s the Difference?
Before we can jump into hard water solutions, what’s the difference between hard water and soft water? ‘Hardness’ refers to the amount of minerals (in Phoenix, it’s mostly calcium and magnesium) present in the water. The more minerals present, the harder the water. In the US, water hardness is tested and measured in grains per gallon (gpg), which refers to how many grains of a mineral are present in a gallon of water, or in parts per million (ppm), which refers to how many units of the mineral are present in a million units of water.
What is hard water?
Water is considered hard when its mineral content exceeds 120 ppm. At this stage, the minerals form visible scale buildup on plumbing fixtures, make water and ice cubes cloudy, and may affect the health of your hair over time.
What is soft water?
Water is considered soft when its mineral content is at 60 ppm or less. This is minimal mineral content, and it should leave little to no trace on your fixtures, though water might feel slimy, your drinking water might taste flat, and you may have difficulty rinsing.
Is Hard Water Bad for You?
Here in Phoenix, the municipal water supply is listed as ‘very hard’ at about 241.5 ppm. Because of this, many people wonder whether they need a water softener to avoid any health risks of consuming hard water.
While there are many reasons to invest in a water softener to counteract high mineral content, consuming hard water isn’t bad for your health. In fact, it can even be a net positive, as magnesium and calcium are vital minerals that our bodies need.
That said, there are downsides to hard water, and many people simply don’t like the taste and feel of it.
How Hard Water Affects Your Plumbing System
One of the main reasons to invest in a water softener in Phoenix is to protect your plumbing system. Your pipes and fixtures carry thousands of gallons of water each year, and over time, the minerals found in the water accumulate into white, chalky buildup. This is known as limescale or mineral scale.
While limescale can be easily cleaned from exterior surfaces (white vinegar works wonders), that doesn’t address the effect it can have inside your plumbing system. Over the years, mineral buildup can reduce the diameter and flow rate of your pipes and corrode plumbing and fixtures from the inside out. For these reasons, we strongly recommend investing in a water softener for hard water.
The Impact of Hard Water on Water Heaters and Household Appliances
Another reason to get a water softener in Phoenix is to protect your water heater and other appliances, such as your dishwasher. Mineral buildup can collect at the bottom of your water heater tank, cooking off into a thick sediment that reduces performance and efficiency over time. It can also accumulate inside other appliances, causing inefficiencies or affecting the cleanliness of dishes.
What Does Hard Water Do to Your Skin, Hair, and Laundry?
Some people hire a water softener service because they’re tired of dry skin, frizzy hair, and stiff, faded laundry. Over time, repeated exposure to the high mineral content of hard water can lead to the minerals collecting on your skin, hair, or clothes, leading to discomfort and an unpleasant feeling after showering.
How Hard Water Affects Cleaning Around Your Home
You may also want to invest in a hard water softener to make cleaning your home easier. Soap doesn’t lather well in very hard water, which means more work scrubbing dishes, cleaning countertops, or washing the floors. Plus, when the water dries after cleaning, you’ll likely notice white, chalky streaks left behind by the now-dry minerals.
What Are the Benefits of Soft Water?
There are many benefits to improving your water quality with a water softener, especially in an area with very hard water like Phoenix. These benefits include:
- Fewer breakdowns of your appliances (e.g., dishwasher, laundry machine, coffee pot, etc.)
- Improved water heater efficiency
- Extended appliance lifespans
- Less soap required when cleaning and bathing
- No more spots on clean dishes
- No limescale on faucets and fixtures
- No faded or stiff laundry
- Improved skin and hair health
- Reduced chance of plumbing problems
- Clean, clear, and neutral-tasting water
Are There Any Downsides to Soft Water?
Now that we’ve looked at the many benefits of this water treatment, are there any downsides to be aware of? While the positive definitely outweighs the negative, there are a few potential drawbacks to keep in mind:
- Salt: Because water softeners use sodium ions to remove hard minerals, the softened water contains a small amount of salt. This can be problematic for people on very strict no-sodium diets or when preparing formula for infants. If you rely on a septic tank, the salt discharge can harm your system.
- Corrosion: Soft water is slightly more corrosive, which means it may damage older pipes.
- Taste changes: Some people find they prefer the taste of mineral-rich water to the relatively flat flavor of softened water.
- Increased water usage: You’ll use slightly more water with a water softener during the cleaning and regeneration cycles.
- Maintenance: Water softeners need regular salt recharges and inspections to prevent bacteria from growing inside.
Signs Your Home May Have Hard Water
If you notice any of the following signs in your home, you may have hard water:
- White, chalky limescale buildup on faucets and fixtures
- Spotty dishes and glasses
- Soap scum around your bathtub, shower, and sinks
- Low water pressure
- Dry, itchy skin
- Dull, flat, or brittle hair
- Poor soap lather
- Stiff laundry
- Shortened appliance lifespan
Do You Need a Water Softener?
Do you really need a water softener in your Phoenix home? If you’re noticing the above signs and it’s starting to become an issue, consider investing in your water quality with a water softener. Hard water carries many hidden costs, including shortened appliance lifespan, more frequent plumbing problems, and increased wear on your laundry. When you factor these in, the investment you make in a water softener makes even more sense.
How Water Softeners Work
Water softeners work on the principle of ion exchange, which means trading ions of minerals for ions of salt, which is a process called coagulation. Hard water passes through a tank of beads that trap calcium and magnesium, which are then replaced by sodium ions. The treated, softened water then flows out of the system and into the rest of your home.
What Size Water Softener Does a Home Need?
Sizing a water softener depends on the size of the home, the number of occupants, and your typical water habits. Water softener capacity is measured in grains (the number of hardness minerals it removes before regenerating), with most homes requiring a system capacity of 24,000 to 64,000 grains. A Phoenix plumber can help you choose the right size system for your needs.
Water Softeners vs. Water Filters: What’s the Difference?
Water softeners are a great investment in Phoenix, but they’re not the only water treatment options available. Here’s what you need to know:
Water softener
Water softeners remove excess minerals from your water supply and exchange them for sodium ions. They don’t remove any other contaminants or impurities.
Reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis systems filter a wide range of pollutants from your water, including arsenic, nitrates, lead, pesticides, sulfates, bacteria, pharmaceuticals, chlorine, and much more. They offer nearly comprehensive protection against contaminants, but aren’t explicitly designed to soften water.
Whole-home water filtration
Whole-home water filtration systems remove dirt, dust, chlorine, odors, and chemicals from your home’s water supply. They don’t soften water or remove minerals, so many people use these systems in tandem with a water softener.
What Does a Water Softener Cost?
Water softener costs vary by location and type. Here in Phoenix, you can expect a new water softener to range in price between $1,400 and $3,500. When you work with Wyman Plumbing & Mechanical to get a new water softener, we’ll always provide an honest, transparent quote before beginning any work.
Maintaining a Water Softener
Water softener maintenance largely consists of stocking the brine tank with new salt pellets, clearing any salt bridges or mush that form inside over time, and cleaning the valve and resin bed once a year. This ensures the water coming from the system is clean and safe to drink.
Choosing the Best Water Treatment Solution for Your Home
Considering the extremely high mineral content of Phoenix’s water, investing in a water softener is almost never a bad idea. However, you may also need additional filtration, depending on what’s present in your water supply. For many of our past clients, the first step is a comprehensive water test, which tells them exactly what’s in their water and helps them choose the right system for their needs.
Talk with the Water Treatment Experts at Wyman Plumbing & Mechanical
At Wyman Plumbing & Mechanical, we’re no strangers to hard water. We’re Phoenix locals who understand the frustration of dry skin and constant limescale everywhere you look, which is why we often suggest homeowners in the area invest in a water softener. Whether you just want to remove excess minerals or have specific pollutants you’re looking to keep out of your home, our water treatment experts are here to help. To learn more or schedule a water treatment consultation, contact us today.
