Water is a notoriously good solvent and easily picks up impurities, particularly calcium and magnesium. When it gathers enough of these dissolved minerals, water can become “hard.”

While not a health risk, hard water does create buildup on plumbing fixtures that can lead to serious issues. Hard water is particularly destructive for hot water appliances, as higher temperatures can cause minerals to solidify and harden, leading to clogs and reduced water pressure. It also dramatically shortens the lifespan of appliances like dishwashers, coffee makers, and ice machines.

Because over 85% of the United States relies on hard water for everything from cooking and cleaning to bathing, having a functional water softener is key to purifying your pipes and reducing buildup. Without one, your dishes will come out of the dishwater with streaks and stains, your laundry will require more detergent to maintain its luster, and bathing in hard water can leave your skin itchy and your hair frazzled.

Water softeners work through a process called ion exchange. When hard water enters a softener’s mineral tank, it flows through a bed of small plastic beads, usually made from polystyrene, which are charged with a sodium ion. The ions in these beads have a negative charge, which attracts the positive charge of calcium and magnesium, trapping them against the surface of the bead and removing them from the water.

While you can’t usually tell whether water is hard or soft just by looking, there are several tell-tale signs that something might be wrong with your water softener. If you’re experiencing any of the following issues, it’s time to call in the repair professionals:

• Feeling a film on your hands after washing. When soap mixes with calcium, it creates soap scum. When your water is hard, you may find yourself needing to rinse longer than usual.
• Spots from the dishwasher. Small deposits of calcium carbonate can form on glasses and silverware.
• Mineral stains. Clothes coming out of the laundry machine can have stains caused by mineral exposure, which can cause them to wear out faster.
• Lower water pressure in your home. As mineral deposits solidify in your pipes, they can restrict water flow by shrinking the interior diameter.

A good water softener can prevent damage to your fixtures and save you hours of time, energy, and money.

For over 36 years, Dwellness has been repairing water softeners for countless local homeowners in Las Vegas, Nevada. Our experts are the fastest in town, arriving right on schedule virtually every time. We also handle more than just plumbing, and the majority of our first-time customers end up calling us for other needs like HVAC and electrical help.

Experts are available seven days a week Monday-Friday 7AM to 11PM and Saturday & Sunday 8AM to 4PMSimply fill out the “Request Service Now” form to the left or call 702-641-8888 to get started, and we’ll help you install or fix your water softener to keep your water clean and pure.