You need clean water for everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene. Many Waldorf homeowners consider the question of which is best—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 treats water as it comes into your home. It’s installed on your main water line, removing sediment, chlorine, bacteria and other impurities from the municipal water supply before it gets to your plumbing fixtures and appliances.
Benefits of Water Filters
If your water comes from a municipal company, you may wonder why you should get an inline water filter. After all, the water is already cleaned at a water treatment plant. However, many local water supplies barely meet EPA standards, and water may pick up pollutants between the treatment plant and your faucets. Here’s how setting up a water filter can assist you:
- Healthier water: Water filters take away unhealthy microorganisms, carcinogenic materials and other potentially harmful particles for safer, better-tasting drinking water.
- Reduced sediment: Water filters decrease sediment buildup in your pipes, appliances and fixtures, defending them from damage.
- No plastic waste: Inline water filters diminish the need for bottled water, adding to a greener environment.
- Cost-effectiveness: Access to clean, safe tap water saves you from spending extra cash on bottled water and decreasesthe stress on your plumbing system.
How to Tell if You Need a Whole-House Water Filter
About one-third of American households rely on home treatment systems for top-quality 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 crystal-clear, clean-tasting and odor-free, it may be contaminated. Think about installing a filter for your protection.
- Repeated plumbing issues: A whole-house water filter helps reduce plugged pipes, low water pressure and other problems.
- Skin irritation: If you experience redness, rashes or other skin issues linked to poor water quality, a whole-house water filter may be beneficial.
- Past history: Does your local water supply have a track record of contamination? Installing a whole-house water filter can give you peace of mind against long-term problems.
What Is a Water Softener?
A water softener eliminates calcium and magnesium from water. A process called ion exchange operates somewhat like a chemical magnet, replacing these “hard” minerals with sodium ions to “soften” the water.
Benefits of Water Softeners
If you have hard water, here is what you’ll notice once you put in a water softener:
- Longer plumbing life span: Soft water reduces scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, dishwashers and washing machines, prolonging their life span and enhancing their appearance.
- Clog-free plumbing: Soft water doesn’t cause a hard mineral coating to adhere to your plumbing system, which keeps the water in your pipes and faucets flowing smoothly.
- Better soap lathering: Soft water is a good way to make sure cleaning products lather more effectively, producing cleaner dishes, brighter laundry, and softer skin and hair, even with less soap and detergent.
- Energy savings: A water softener helps your plumbing appliances work efficiently for lower electricity bills.
How to Know if You Need a Water Softener
Most water reserves in North America are deemed moderately hard, hard or very hard. You can learn about the quality of your local water by reading your city’s water quality report. In the meantime, here are some signs that you could benefit from a water softener:
- Scale buildup: A white, chalky residue 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 you get rid of this unsightly issue.
- Low water pressure: Showerheads and faucet aerators commonly become severely obstructed by mineral deposits within 18 months of use. Watch for this because it is a result of hard water.
- Dry skin and hair: Hard water hinders soap from rinsing correctly, contributing to irritated skin and brittle hair.
- Frequent appliance repairs: If your dishwasher or water heater stops working frequently due to scale buildup, a water softener may be a worthwhile acquisition.
Should You Buy Both a Water Filter and a Water Softener?
Inline water filters and water softeners both offer valuable benefits, but they perform different functions. An inline water filter removes contaminants and improves overall water quality, while a water softener specifically addresses the problem of hard minerals. Sometimes, having a water filter and a water softener is required in order to make sure you have high-quality water. Consider your specific needs and water quality to determine the best solution for your household.
Schedule Water Filter and Water Softener Installation in Waldorf
A-PLUS Service Experts is a trusted provider of water treatment solutions in Waldorf, including water filters and water softeners from Excalibur. Our team can help you decide if one or both solutions are necessary to help you achieve the best water quality in your Waldorf home.