"I already have a water softener"

"Have you considered whole house water filtration?"
 "No, I already have a water softener."


             One of the most common mistakes people make when considering the quality of their water, is to assume that the big expensive water softener in their garage is some how purifying or cleaning their water. Let me be very clear, water softeners do not clean contaminates out of your drinking water. In fact, it is a violation of the plumbing code to have the kitchen sink on the softener loop, because softened water is not meant to be consumed.

            Having said this, there are a few dealers in water softeners who have wised up enough to begin adding filtration to their systems in various ways, this is an improvement on the home that has only a water softener, but it is far from utilizing the best option available to the consumer.

          Consider what it is that you are actually trying to accomplish. Water softeners use an ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium from water, adding some salt to your water, but backwashing highly salinated water back into the city sewer. Calcium and magnesium are essential minerals for life, people buy vitamins to obtain these minerals. It comes free at your kitchen sink... unless you pay to have it removed.

       In the same way, the contaminates that cause trouble, such as chlorine, and ammonia,  are still present in your water supply. The only way to remove them is to use some form of filtration. The most common and effective is coconut shell carbon to remove chemicals and improve flavor.

     Lets get back to the reason for water softening. Years ago, when pumbers used a whole lot more galvanized pipe in homes, these pipes would be quickly destroyed because of hard water (calcium and magnesium). These days we are doing things in copper or PEX which do not corrode in the same way as galvanized. Having said this, there still may be a need to reduce the effects of minerals. One effective method for temporary reduction is magnetic ionization which changes the polarity of the minerals so they will not bind to the pipes and fixtures to cause corrosion.  

      So there you have it, do a little research and find the best salt free filter and conditioner for your home. Just remember, the softener does not filter, it removes the essential minerals and leaves the dangerous chemicals. Adversely, filters remove the harmful chemicals, and leave the essential minerals.

http://www.crystalclearplumbing.com

http://www.crystalclearplumbingllc.com

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