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- No More Worrying About Hard Water Because You Ran Out Of Salt!
Introducing the Kinex Salt Monitor. Receive automatic notifications from the Kinetico App when your water softener salt is getting low. You'll never have to manually check your salt level again. The new Kinex Salt Monitor will save you the hassle of checking our brine tank. With Kinex and the Kinetico App, you'll receive automatic notifications letting you know how many days you have left before your salt runs out. What Happens If The Water Softener Runs Out Of Salt? If your water softener runs out of salt, the resulting hard water that will be pouring out will leave hard water stains and streaks on everything that it comes in contact which may cause a variety of problems in the home. For example, hard water can leave behind scale buildup in plumbing fixtures and appliances, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. It can also cause soap scum to form in sinks, tubs, and showers, and it can make it harder to get clothes clean. How Can This Effect Your Water Softener? Water softeners work by using a process called ion exchange. The softener is filled with resin beads that are coated with sodium ions. When hard water flows through the resin, the calcium and magnesium ions in the water attach to the resin beads, and the sodium ions are released into the water. This process effectively removes the hard water minerals from the water, leaving it soft and more manageable. The resin beads in the water softener eventually become saturated with calcium and magnesium ions, at which point they need to be regenerated. This is done by flushing the resin with a saltwater solution, which replaces the calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions once again. The salt used in this process is typically either sodium chloride or potassium chloride. If your softener runs out of salt, it will backwash/regenerate with hard water. Now I get it! But also... How do I get one? Contact us at DuMor Water Specialists . Call us at (888)WE-DUMOR today to see how we can Do More for You!
- Do You Have Pre or Poly Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Your Water?
PFAS is short for pre and poly fluoroalkyl substances, which has become pervasive in our environment. This class of more than 12,000 chemicals is found in products like food packaging and carpets to repel water, grease, and stains. They are also in firefighting foam used on military bases and commercial airports. Even personal care products like mascaras, eyeliners, sunscreen, shampoo, and shaving cream contain PFAS. PFAS don’t easily breakdown and persists in your body and the environment for decades. Today, more than 97% of the US population has PFAS in their bodies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drinking water is one of the most significant pathways of PFAS exposure. PFAS has contaminated the tap water of at least 200 million people, as well as groundwater in at least 38 states. PFAS contaminates water supplies through primary sources: firefighting foam and industrial releases. The most researched PFAS, called PFOA and PFOS, show links to kidney and testicular cancer, as well as endocrine disruption and immune system suppression. Although US manufacturers have largely phased out production of PFOA & PFOS, imported products, products entering the waste stream, and PFAS previously released into our environment still expose us to toxic chemicals. Chemical companies are replacing older PFAS with other chemicals in the PFAS family. Unfortunately, these replacements act like older PFAS, and they can present similar hazards. PFAS can also accumulate in the human body by consuming contaminated food. A 2017 study found PFAS in one third of all fast-food wrappers, where it can migrate into greasy foods. High levels of freshwater fish can have high levels of PFAS. PFAS water contamination is widespread in the states of Michigan, New York, and North Carolina. DuMor Water Specialists offers two Kinetico drinking water stations; the A200 and K5. They are both certified by the Water Quality Association to reduce PFAS in your drinking water. Contact us today to find out how you can get your water tested for free!
- How Much Does a Water Softener Cost?
Written by Cory Stutzman The number one question we hear in the water treatment business is “how much does a water softener cost?”. The short answer is “it depends”. You might think this answer is vague, but what most people don’t realize is there are a lot of factors to evaluate when choosing the right softener for your needs. The first step is to consider your geographical location and what makes up your groundwater table. Secondly, it’s important to know how your water is being delivered to your home; is it city or well water? Another factor is the size of your home; how many sinks, toilets, showers, people, and pets are in your house? These are just some basic questions that start the whole process of finding the right water softener for you. If you need help answering these questions, speak with a water specialist. Once you have answers you can start looking for a softener. This is commonly where the consumer focus shifts from “what do I need?” to “how much is it going to cost?”. I’ve created a basic guide to help explain the different price ranges of water softeners and what you will get for your money. With this guide, you should be able to educate yourself enough to see past the low-cost, low-yield, and low-grain quick fixes and get the softener that will solve your individual water problems. You’ll notice a small overlap in the price ranges; this is due to varying locations and possible sales or other discounts that might be offered. $0 – $800: In this price range you will find all kinds of low-cost, low yield units. These are the “builder grade” water softeners. The equipment in this price range can be purchased relatively easily and can be found in most big box retail stores. These softeners, or any other large-scale water purifier in this range, have very little to offer. They will take most of the smell out of your water and remove a couple grains of hardness before they need to regenerate (if they have a regenerate cycle). The ones that do regenerate use salt either way too much or none at all, making you question if they’re even working. You may get rust, iron, sulfur, chlorine, or other chemicals in your appliances, fixtures, and in your potable water. There are usually no prefilters recommended and you will have to install the system yourself or call a plumber to install it for you. For a small amount of money, you’ve purchased something that has a small effect on your water problems. $500 – $1600: This is what I call “the homework range”. If you’ve answered all the questions above (the homework) and figured out what you need for your specific water problem, the water softener you are looking for could fall in this range. Most of the water softeners on the frugal side are much like the builder grade softeners. Equipment on the other end of the spectrum, standard electrical simplex water softeners, are much more effective in treating your water. They plug into the wall and run through a preset cycle controlled by the electric servo that determines when your system is working or recharging. If you manage to find one that will handle your water needs, you’ll notice that the softener removes the smell and most chemicals from your water; you will have soft water most of the day. These softeners use salt to recharge the media in the tank. The major flaw you’ll discover is they will only recharge at an appointed time and not based on how much water has passed through the system. It is also recommend that you install a prefilter. You can purchase these softeners from larger retail stores or online, and you will have to install these yourself or call a professional for help. $1000 – $2500: Water softeners in this price range are standard electrical symplex water softeners and will handle most of your water problems. They will remove smell and hardness and, depending on which water softener you purchase, will remove a varying amount of chemicals from your water. A prefilter and auxiliary unit are usually recommend to help maximize the water softener’s abilities and handle specific chemical issues (such as iron or arsenic). Standard electrical symplex systems can only provide a set amount of soft water before they shut off and wait for an electrical timer to regenerate the media in the tank. If you are doing laundry in the morning, but the softener doesn’t regenerate until the evening, you run the risk of the softener entering bypass and letting in hard water. The higher-end models address this problem with a secondary regeneration that triggers after a certain amount of water has gone through the system. These softeners can be found at your local water softener dealer or online. It is recommended to have these water softeners installed for you, but if you’re knowledgeable in home plumbing you can probably install it yourself. $2000 – $5000: In this price range you will be dealing primarily with non-electric water softeners which can only be purchased through an authorized dealer. The specialized electric symplex units will also fall in this range. A water specialist will help you choose the best option for your specific water needs. These softeners remove all hardness and a majority of chemicals. With these softeners, a prefilter is recommend and may sometimes need an auxiliary unit to handle high levels of specific chemicals such as iron and chlorine. Non electric softeners operate in collaboration with the water pressure in your home; as long as you have water pressure you have soft water. The water softeners in this range carry a long term warranty, usually between five and ten years. Authorized dealers generally offer financing to help ease the cost of these softeners and will not give you the option to install it yourself to insure that it is installed and working properly. After reading through this guide you should have a rough idea of what to look for for your specific needs and how much to expect to spend. If you need help finding answers to your questions, I highly recommend calling a water specialist. They will come to your home, free of charge, and help you find the answers you seek. Education is your greatest tool when seeking the answer to the question, “how much does a water softener cost?”.
- The 7 Most Important Rules of Staying Hydrated
There’s no way around it – If you’re athletic, you need to know how to keep your body hydrated and recognize signs of trouble. Here are the 7 most important rules of staying hydrated by Benjamin Choi, M.D. , a renowned Cornell urologist. With hot, sweaty weather on its way, it’s vital to stay on top of what your body needs. Know that you’re usually dehydrated Under-hydration is a huge problem, especially if you train intensely. Many studies have shown that before starting a game, even elite athletes can be under-hydrated. Drink every 15 minutes while working out Good hydration means drinking about 64oz—two liters—a day. Even if you don’t sweat a lot, if you do intense training you should drink an additional 4–6oz of water every 15 minutes of your workout. Determine what your pee is telling you Your urine should always be pale yellow. If during or after a workout you’re not peeing a lot—young guys urinate about six times a day on average, usually every three to four hours—or your pee is dark yellow, you’re not properly hydrated. Extra protein is OK if you’re hydrated I’m not against supplementing with protein, but guys who are athletic should know that excess protein can put a significant load on their kidneys if they’re dehydrated. If you’re an active athlete and not keeping adequately hydrated, eating more than the recommended 1 gram per pound of body weight daily can increase your risk for kidney problems. But consuming protein after an intense workout can aid muscle recovery. Bottom line: Protein supplements are fine, just make sure you’re very well hydrated when you take them. Know your kidney numbers Young guys should get a general physical checkup at least every other year, if not annually, for routine blood tests that look at kidney function. If the kidneys are normal, it’s very hard to damage them. But if a kidney isn’t working perfectly—and many kidney diseases are symptomless—you can put additional stress on the organ. So I recommend getting a checkup before upping your protein intake, especially if you’re doing it for a big athletic contest, like a triathlon. Typical symptoms of bad kidney function are swelling, fatigue, and upset stomach or digestion issues. If your urine turns foamy or dark brown or red, call your doctor. Don’t worry about kidney stones until later in life Stones are rare in young adults, but can form from dehydration, too much animal protein, a salty diet, or diuretic abuse. Young guys have some natural buffers. That changes once you pass 40. The average 25- or 30-year-old doesn’t need to see a urologist unless his numbers are off or his physician spots something. Opt for plain water over sports drinks Sports drinks are fine for replacing amino acids and electrolytes after an intense six-hour bike ride or a multi-hour run. But even then, one drink is more than enough. Plus, it’s rare to need a lot of extra salt unless you’re doing a marathon or something similar. Water should still be your main therapy, so make sure most of your fluids come from water—not coffee, not tea/iced tea, not fruit juices. This blog was originally posted by Men’s Journal by Dr. Benjamin Choi.
- Arsenic Toxicity: Why and How to Remove It from Drinking Water
By Gary Battenberg, Argonide Corporation What is arsenic toxicity? Arsenic toxicity, also referred to as chronic arsenicosis in humans, occurs when one is exposed to high levels of arsenic more than 0.01 mg/L (10 parts per billion). Effects of arsenic ingestion in small amounts appear slowly and may take several years before poisoning becomes apparent. When ingested in large amounts, chronic arsenicosis manifests itself in many ways in different parts of the world. Arsenic can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. For example, those working in the smelting industry may be exposed to airborne inorganic arsenic which may be present in coal emissions. Therefore, it is prudent to wear appropriate breathing apparatus to prevent inhalation. Most plants now have air-emission scrubbers to eliminate toxic gasses and chemicals. Dermal exposure to products treated with chemicals containing arsenic can cause arsenic poisoning as well. Where is arsenic prevalent? Countries where high levels of arsenic in the groundwater has been confirmed include: the United States, Mexico, China, India and Taiwan. Western US states typically have arsenic levels that exceed .01 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 10 ppb compared to the rest of the US. In fact, many water wells across the US contain arsenic where pump depths approach and/or exceed 200 feet (60 meters). What are symptoms of arsenic poisoning? Health effects range from mild to very severe symptoms. What makes arsenic so dangerous is that it has no taste or odor, which means one can be exposed to it without knowing it. Some of the symptoms include: -Tingling of fingers and toes, red or swollen skin and changes such as lesions or warts -Muscle cramps and abdominal pain -Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and persistent digestive problems -Persistent sore throat -Damage to cardiovascular and nervous systems -Endocrine disruptor Arsenic has been shown to cause cancer of the skin, bladder, prostate, kidney, liver, lungs and nasal passages. The most common cause of arsenic poisoning is contaminated groundwater, where it is abundant in the earth and leaches from natural deposits. Additionally, arsenic seeps into groundwater from industrial plant runoff as well as from other sources, such as: -Living near industrialized areas, exposed landfills or waste sites -Breathing contaminated air containing arsenic from plants or mines that use arsenic -Breathing in smoke or dust from treated wood or waste products -Smoking tobacco products Treatment methods There are several treatment methods available that are generally recognized as being effective in reducing arsenic to meet or exceed the maximum contaminant level. A look at some of the available methods may be helpful. Where arsenic is present in municipally treated water with measurable free available chlorine (FAC), it will be in the oxidized state of arsenate. In this state, arsenic is easy to remove from water. Pre-coated or impregnated iron-based media will reduce both species from water when properly applied within application guidelines. These types of media have a specific service life based on the calculated capacity within a specific volume of media, relative to the total arsenic levels in the water. Before treatment can begin you must first identify which species are present in the water, then determine how much of each for your total arsenic level. The two types are Trivalent (A3) and Pentavalent (A5). To be able to remove the Trivalent you must convert it to Pentavalent, this is usually done with Chlorine. Once it is converted to Pentavalent it can be removed from the water by filtering it through exposure tanks. The water that is exposed to the media has the arsenic removed allowing the clean water to pass through the tanks. Yearly service is required to maintain the media in the exposure tanks and insure the full removal of the arsenic.
- How Does a Water Softener Work?
Written by Cory Stutzman Curious about how a water softener works? Here’s a simple explanation! From the Kinetico Website: Hard water is softened by removing the calcium and magnesium it contains. When hard water passes through the softening system’s resin bed, the calcium and magnesium (hardness) ions are removed through an ion exchange process, so only softened water passes through to your home. Once the resin bed fills up with hardness ions, it must be regenerated (cleaned). Salt is typically used in the regeneration process and restores the resin to a “clean” state so the ion exchange process can begin again. Pretty simple, right? Well, if you’re not fully versed on resin beds, ion exchange, or the process of regeneration, this might still be a little confusing. Popular Mechanics refers to water as a tool. It’s “a fluid medium that carries material from one place to the next…and one of the reasons it does this job well is that it’s very good at holding things, either by suspending them or dissolving them”. There are usually dangerous chemicals that make groundwater unfit to drink. There are also harmless minerals that make your water “hard” and can cause problems in the home. Hard water doesn’t dissolve soaps effectively, so more is required to do the job. It causes soap to “cling” to your skin and hair, causing dryness and other undesirable effects. Laundry soaps used in hard water can leave behind traces of dirt and other bacteria; clothes and other fabrics probably aren’t getting as clean as you think they are. Calcium and magnesium deposits found in hard water can build up in pipes and generate scale buildup in water heaters and, over time, ruin both. So what do water softeners actually do? Popular Mechanics makes it easy to understand – “they trade the minerals for something else, in most cases sodium”. This is the ion exchange process. The water softener’s mineral tank contains resin (polystyrene beads) which carry a negative charge. Calcium and magnesium in water both carry positive charges. The minerals latch on to the resin as the water passes through the mineral tank and these positive charges are then replaced with the positive charges found in the sodium from a strong brine solution, which is created in a separate brine tank using water softener salt and back-washed into the mineral tank. The sodium basically drives out the calcium and magnesium from the beads, resulting in sodium rich ions. The sodium attaches to the resin, replacing the calcium and magnesium, and the “hard” minerals go down the drain. Once this cycle is complete, the mineral tank is flushed of excess brine and the brine tank is refilled. Hopefully this explanation helps without bringing back too many memories of high school chemistry class. If you would like more information on how a water softener can benefit your life, please contact your local Water Specialist with questions.
- 5 Ways to Maintain a Home with Well Water
Published November 23, 2020 by Julia Weaver, Redfin https://www.redfin.com/blog/author/julia-weaver/ If you’re moving out of the bustling city to a more peaceful and quiet countryside home, chances are you’re buying a home that has a well water system. Most homes in cities access their water via traditional municipal sewer systems. However, millions of homes in rural areas across the US housing market rely on well water to keep faucets flowing – over 15 million, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. While using well water may be new for you, there are many upsides to a well water system, including: Safety: well water, when properly maintained, is perfectly safe to drink and use. Availability: well water is available anywhere, even in rural areas that don’t have access to a municipal water supply. Affordability: well water can be cheaper than paying sewer fees. You’re not hooked up to the local water supply, which means no monthly bill. If you’re buying a home with well water, it’s ultimately up to you to maintain it. So it’s important to have a thorough understanding of how the well water system works and the preventative care necessary to keep your well and your water at an ideal level of quality. Some homeowners don’t know that their water well systems require service and routine maintenance until it’s too late. Add these five tasks to your home maintenance to ensure your water stays safe and usable. 1. Test your well water annually The quality of well water is always changing. While the government doesn’t require annual testing, it’s important to have your well water tested annually to protect those in your household. The very nature of well water makes it far more susceptible to contamination. It’s important to make sure your well water is safe to drink and use in cooking, cleaning, and bathing. The testing process looks for things like bacteria, nitrates, iron, water hardness, manganese, and sulfides. If levels are too high or too low, depending on the substance in question, maintenance can be essential to prevent potential health hazards. If you do notice a change in the color, taste, or smell of your water, make sure to get it tested immediately – even if it hasn’t been a year since the last test. And, if you live in an area affected by flooding, you should have your water tested after every major flood in addition to an annual inspection. The good news is testing water is both easy and affordable. DIY kits are available at most hardware stores. These products allow homeowners to take a water sample and send it to a third-party lab to be analyzed. Once analyzed, the testing company will provide results and, if necessary, guidance on next steps. 2. Get your well water system inspected each year In addition to testing the quality of the water, you’ll also want the well itself professionally inspected once a year if you’re buying a home with a well. Your well water system plays a key role in keeping water clean and usable. If it’s not operating up to standard, it’s easy for problems to arise. A professional can determine whether your well and your well pump are working properly and diagnose any problems if present. They’ll look for damage or irregularities – such as signs of cracking or settling – which could allow contaminants into your water. An inspector can assess the damage and help you make the necessary adjustments to keep your well working as it should. Ignoring issues with your well can result in costly problems down the road, like full system replacements. An annual inspection is relatively affordable and can guarantee peace of mind while helping you save on repair costs. Or, you can choose to hire a professional. They’ll collect samples from the well, send them to a lab, and provide you with reports on water quality. This can give peace of mind in knowing your water was tested in a state-certified lab. You’ll also have the opportunity to review the results with an expert who will provide next steps. 3. Evaluate your water softener Water hardness refers to the mineral levels in the water. Hard water has high mineral content, while soft water has low mineral content. Due to the nature of a well, well water tends to be hard. Drinking or using hard water in day-to-day cleaning isn’t dangerous. However, there are still side effects to watch out for, such as: Build up around faucets and in tubs, sinks, and toilets Leaving skin dry and itchy Spots and stains on dishes Dingy laundry Slow-draining sinks and tubs Corroded plumbing Reduced appliance lifespan, like washers and dishwashers Most homes with well water likely require a water softener to avoid the challenges of hard water. This equipment uses salt to neutralize the impact of heavy mineral content. However, maintaining a water softener can require regular replacement of a brine tank. Be sure to check salt levels regularly and replace the tank whenever necessary. 4. Prevent hard water stains If your new home has hard water, you’ve probably noticed the rusty orange stains in your porcelain sink, tubs, toilets, and residue on your laundry and dishes. This is from the high iron content Hard water stains are caused by the high iron content found in well water. And although iron is typically not a safety concern, hard water stains can be a challenge to remove if not addressed immediately. For those who do not have a water softener, it’s best to prevent hard water stains at the source. After each use, wipe down the surfaces of your tub and shower. Regularly clean sinks and toilets to prevent buildup. If hard water is damaging your clothing, let laundry sit in a vinegar solution prior to washing. Place a cup of vinegar in your dishwasher prior to starting a cycle to avoid hard water stains on your clean dishes. Vinegar and baking soda can work wonders on existing hard water stains, as can numerous hard water-specific cleaning products. Consider incorporating a water softening system into your home to significantly reduce stains, and perhaps eliminate them altogether. 5. Keep your well water tasting and smelling fresh Most of the time, wells don’t result in dangerous drinking water, unless bacteria is present, but water can smell or taste different. A filtration system can eliminate minor impurities, including hydrogen sulfide – a harmless substance with no flavor but can smell like rotten eggs. However, if filtration isn’t keeping water clear and odor-free, there may be larger issues involved with your water well system that a professional will need to address. If you’re buying a home with well water, be sure to do some research about the water in your area, and any regulations for the area where you’re buying.
- Water Quality and Dogs
As an avid dog owner – and I know you have all seen photos of the world famous Dataman Group Data Dogs – I am incredibly concerned about the Quality of Water my dogs drink….as well as how much. IS YOUR DOG DRINKING ENOUGH WATER? According to PetMD, as a rule of thumb, dogs should drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. There are many factors that can affect how much your dog will drink and it depends on the environmental temperature and the amount of exercise your dog performs during the day. Water is lost due to heat, as well as excessive panting and salivation. Water works for dogs the same way it works for humans. Water carries important nutrients into and out of the cells of the body. It aids in the digestion of food and helps the body to absorb the nutrients. Water also serves to cool the body down and works to maintain a normal body temperature. Water lubricates and cushions joints and makes movement easier. The spinal cord and other internal tissues are also cushioned by moisture and wastes are removed from the body through urination and bowel movements. Basically every important body function requires water and without adequate supply, your dog can become ill quickly and become dehydrated. Organs will eventually become damaged with sustained water deficiency. If the deficiency lasts long enough, organs (such as kidneys, liver, etc.) will begin to shut down and death will soon follow. CHECKING FOR DEHYDRATION To check your dog for dehydration, pick up a fold of loose skin over the top of the shoulder blades, pull it up gently and release it. Watch for the skin to fall back into place. Under normal circumstances, the skin should quickly return to place without any hesitation. If dehydration is present, the skin will slowly return or may even stay up for a time before falling back into place. Another place to look for dehydration is in an dog’s mouth. If the gums appear dry, sticky or pale, this is a sign of illness and dehydration. Dehydrated pets will also have dry, sunken eye balls and a dry nose and mouth. WHAT ABOUT WATER QUALITY? According to Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, a staff veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, not all tap water is safe. She says “if you wouldn’t drink this water, you shouldn’t give this to your dogs”. Affluent Empty Nesters with Dogs are a top market segment for those Water Quality Dealers who want to market to Dog Owners. This cohort treats their dogs as if they were their children. Money is no object to an affluent dog owners who wants to make their pet healthier and happier. This blog post was originally published by Dataman Group Direct on June 7, 2018.
- Manganese in Well Water
What is Manganese? Manganese is a naturally occurring element in the earth's crust and is one of the most abundant metals on the earth's surface. Manganese can work its way into well water naturally or through human interference like mining and wastewater discharge. It is also common to find higher levels of manganese in deeper private wells that have been in touch with rock for longer periods of time. Risks of Manganese in drinking water Manganese is actually an essential nutrient in the human body in small amounts however the EPA has set a health advisory level of 0.3 MG/L for chronic exposure. Exposure to manganese at high levels has been linked to health problems that involve the nervous system and can have negative effects on brain development in children. Manganese treatment in water Rest assured that if you have manganese in your water we at DuMor Water Specialists can treat it.. A water softener can be effective at removing small amounts of manganese but at high levels that are causing problems like staining and unpleasant odors an oxidizing or air injecting filter will remove not only the manganese but also iron and the unpleasant odor issues as well. If you are experiencing any of these problems with your water, reach out to us and we can schedule a free water consultation and get rid of that manganese for good!
- What Is A Water Softener, And Why Do I Need One?
Water softeners are devices that are used to remove hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium from water, making it soft and easier to use. Hard water can cause various problems, including damage to plumbing, reduced efficiency of appliances, and dry skin and hair. In this blog post, we'll discuss water softeners in more detail, including how they work and the benefits they offer. First, what is hard water? Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals are picked up by the water as it travels through rocks and soil, and they can cause a variety of problems in the home. For example, hard water can leave behind scale buildup in plumbing fixtures and appliances, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. It can also cause soap scum to form in sinks, tubs, and showers, and it can make it harder to get clothes clean. Oh, that's good to know. So, how do water softeners work? Water softeners work by using a process called ion exchange. The softener is filled with resin beads that are coated with sodium ions. When hard water flows through the resin, the calcium and magnesium ions in the water attach to the resin beads, and the sodium ions are released into the water. This process effectively removes the hard water minerals from the water, leaving it soft and more manageable. The resin beads in the water softener eventually become saturated with calcium and magnesium ions, at which point they need to be regenerated. This is done by flushing the resin with a saltwater solution, which replaces the calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions once again. The salt used in this process is typically either sodium chloride or potassium chloride. Wow, that's really science-y! Can you explain the benefits in laymen's terms? There are several benefits to using a water softener in your home. Some of these include: Improved water quality: Softened water is free of the minerals that cause hard water, making it more pleasant to use for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Longer appliance lifespan: Appliances that use water, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters, last longer when they are not subjected to hard water buildup. Reduced plumbing maintenance: Soft water reduces scale buildup in plumbing fixtures and pipes, reducing the need for maintenance and repairs. More efficient cleaning: Soft water allows soap and detergent to lather more easily, which can improve cleaning effectiveness and reduce the amount of cleaning products needed. Softer skin and hair: Soft water is gentler on skin and hair, reducing dryness and irritation. Now I get it! But also... How do I get one? Water softeners are a great investment for anyone dealing with hard water issues in their home. They are effective at removing hard water minerals, improving water quality, and reducing appliance and plumbing maintenance. If you're considering a water softener, DuMor Water Specialists can test your water in order to help you choose the perfect one for your household's needs. We even offer salt delivery and maintenance plans to keep your softener in tip-top shape. Call us at (888)WE-DUMOR today to see how we can Do More for You!