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First Rate Plumbing Heating and Cooling Inc Blog

What Are the Signs of a Water Softener Not Working?

Jan 9, 2023

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Water softeners don’t last forever. They’re often one of the most neglected parts of your home despite how helpful and functional they are. Maybe you grew up with city water on tap that didn’t need a water softener, or you just don’t think about your softening system all too often.

Your water softener in Albuquerque, NM will eventually fail and need to be repaired or replaced, but how do you know when that time comes? Let’s talk about that, and the signs of a failing system that may already be happening right under your nose.

 

You Can’t Lather Soap

If you fill a bowl with water from your faucet, then add some dishwashing detergent, you should be able to lather it and create thick, frothy bubbles.

When you can’t, you have a problem on your hands. If you notice you need more detergent to build up a good lather, your water is too hard.

Your water softener may still work, but this shows that it’s beginning to fail or that it’s started running into problems.

This also applies to body wash and shampoo in the shower, by the way. If it takes too long to lather, it could be your softener system.

Tattered, Damaged Clothing From the Washer

Hard water introduces dissolved minerals into your washing machine. As your clothes spin around the barrel and rub against the agitator, they endure a small amount of wear and tear.

But if your water isn’t sufficiently softened, those minerals interfere with the fabric of your clothing. Your clothes endure more wear and tear and will come out feeling frayed.

Another way to tell if your water is too hard is from the softness of your clothing. Dissolved minerals will make your clothes feel starchy or slightly stiff. You can notice a huge difference in the texture of your clothing after a few washes with hard water. Nobody wants scratchy T-shirts.

Excessive Limescale Buildup on Your Faucets

The telltale sign of hard water is limescale. If you notice hardened white residue around your faucets, pooling on your sink, or left behind after you wash your counters, you have hard water.

This limescale buildup impacts everything in your home, from the way your dishes come out (whether or not you wash them by hand) to your home’s aesthetics.

You can use limescale-destroying solvents to remove it, but without treating the source problem of hard water, the buildup will continue.

Think about fixing the issue at the root, not simply addressing the symptoms. Your home and health will be better off for it.

It’s Time to Check on Your Water Softener

Your water softener needs maintenance. If it’s gone without maintenance for a while, repairs are likely in order. Don’t live with hard water and the negative way it impacts your home, clothing, and health. Clean drinking water is the most important part of your home; don’t delay any longer.

Contact us today to schedule repair and maintenance on your water softener system. Quality work, exuberant service.

Categories: Water Treatment

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