Do I Need a Water Softener Living in Central Florida?

In Florida, hard water is a reality for homeowners. Hard water occurs when excessive amounts of minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, are present in water. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), most of the groundwater in our area contains between 121 and 180 milligrams per liter of hard minerals, which is considered fairly significant.1 How does hard water occur, why is it a problem for homeowners, and what are the benefits of a water softener are all questions we will answer … read on!

Florida is known as a “karstic” state. This means that the land in our state contains large amounts of limestone. As rain hits the ground and filters down, it dissolves the limestone in the ground and becomes part of the water source we use. Limestone is made up primarily of calcium, one of the main hard water causing minerals.

Did you know you can sometimes actually feel if you have hard water while washing your hands? After using soap, you may have felt a filmy residue left on your hands. In hard water, soap will react to the calcium and form “soap scum.” This is the same soap scum build-up you may have witnessed on your tub or shower (not a fun cleaning chore!). And with hard water you need more soap and detergents to get things clean, whether your hands, hair, or clothing.

The minerals from hard water can build up in your water-using appliances, including your ice maker, washing machine, and water heater, making them far less efficient and in some cases even leading to premature failure. Poor efficiency also means bigger utility bills. Scale deposits will also wreak havoc on your showerheads, faucets, and pipes, restricting the water flow, which can make for a very unpleasant shower experience or a call to the plumber for a repair.

By choosing to add a water softener to your home, you’ll enjoy many benefits. First, it helps prevent the build-up of minerals on the inside of your pipes, fixtures, and especially water-using appliances, which helps them run more efficiently. It can also lengthen the life of some of these appliances. It has the added benefit of reducing or even preventing mineral spots on your glassware, and it prevents or reduces that soap film in detergents and soaps. With soft water, you won’t have the mineral deposits that prevent you and your clothes from getting and feeling as clean as possible, and you’ll be able to use less soap and detergent to get the job done.

So, less (and easier) cleaning, better efficient appliances, and saving money on utilities, these all seem like great reasons to invest in a water softener. At Rainaldi Home Services, your local plumbing experts, we can talk you through your options for water softening and help find what best meets your needs. Give us a call at (407) 413-9795 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.

“Water Quality.” Hardness of Water, USGS, www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/hardness-water?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

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