Everyone needs clean water for day-to-day routines like cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene. Many Richmond homeowners ask themselves which is best—a water filter or a water softener? Discover the key differences between inline water filters and whole-house water softeners, the advantages they provide and how to determine 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 cleans water as it enters your residence. It’s installed directly on your main water line, removing sediment, chlorine, bacteria and other contaminants 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 supplier, you may wonder why you could use an inline water filter. After all, the water is already cleaned at a water treatment plant. Unfortunately, many local water supplies barely meet EPA standards, and water may be contaminated with harmful particles between the treatment plant and your residence. Here’s how setting up a water filter can benefit you:
- Healthier water: Water filters take away harmful microorganisms, carcinogenic materials and other impurities for safer, better-tasting drinking water.
- Reduced sediment: Water filters decrease sediment accumulation in your pipes, appliances and fixtures, protecting them from harm.
- No plastic waste: Inline water filters reduce the need for bottled water, contributing to a greener environment.
- Cost-effectiveness: Access to clean, safe tap water saves you from spending extra your hard-earned cash on bottled water and reducesthe strain 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 safe and healthy drinking water. Here are some signals that you might need to get a whole-house water filter:
- Discoloration, unusual taste or undesirable smell: If your tap water is anything but totally clear, clean-tasting and odor-free, it may be contaminated. Give consideration to installing a filter for your safety.
- Frequent plumbing issues: A whole-house water filter helps alleviate clogged pipes, low water pressure and other issues.
- Skin irritability: 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 history of possible contamination? Getting a whole-house water filter offers peace of mind against future problems.
What Is a Water Softener?
A water softener takes away calcium and magnesium from your water supply. A process called ion exchange operates similar to a chemical magnet, replacing these “hard” minerals with sodium ions to “soften” the water.
Benefits of Water Softeners
If you have hard water, this is what you’ll discover once you set up a water softener:
- Longer plumbing life span: Soft water decreases scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, dishwashers and washing machines, extending their life span and bettering their appearance.
- Clog-free plumbing: Soft water doesn’t create a hard mineral coating to adhere to your plumbing system, keeping your pipes and faucets flowing smoothly.
- Better soap lathering: Soft water helps cleaning products lather more effectively, which results in cleaner dishes, brighter laundry, and softer skin and hair, even if you use a smaller amount of soap and detergent.
- Energy savings: A water softener helps your plumbing appliances run efficiently for lower power bills.
How to Tell if You Need a Water Softener
Most water reserves in North America are characterized as moderately hard, hard or very hard. Learn more by reading your local government's water quality report. In the meantime, here are some indicators that you could see a real difference in the quality of water in your home by installing a water softener:
- Scale buildup: A white, chalky film on your fixtures and appliances is an indication of hard water, as are the white spots on your dishes, glass shower door and coffee maker. A water softener can help eliminate this problem.
- Low water pressure: Showerheads and faucet aerators often become significantly blocked by mineral deposits within 18 months of use. Watch for this because it is another indication of hard water.
- Dry skin and hair: Hard water prevents soap from rinsing correctly, causing irritated skin and brittle hair.
- Frequent appliance repairs: If your dishwasher or water heater malfunctions often due to scale buildup, a water softener may be a worthwhile investment.
Should You Use Both a Water Filter and a Water Softener?
Inline water filters and water softeners both provide valuable benefits, but they perform different operations. An inline water filter takes away contaminants and elevates overall water quality, while a water softener specifically targets hard minerals. In some circumstances, using a water filter and a water softener is appropriate. Consider your specific needs and water quality to determine the best solution for your household.
Schedule Water Filter and Water Softener Installation in Richmond
Eveready Service Experts is a trustworthy provider of water treatment remedies in Richmond, such as water filters and water softeners from Excalibur. Our team can help you evaluate if one or both solutions are necessary to help you get the best water quality in your Richmond home.