A water softener system is worth the money IF you are having to replace your plumbing pipes and appliances more often than is expected due to the problems caused by hard water.

If you are dealing with problems due to hard water – the best solution is to install a water softener system.

Know that the water softener system will not only save your pipes but it will help to save everything in your houses that uses water. Your washing machine, your dishwasher and your toilets and maybe even your skin!

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Water Softeners?

There are certainly more “Pros” than “Cons” concerning water softener systems and of course, you will have to assess for yourself whether the pros outweigh the cons for your home.

So here’s a list that may help you to make the decision of whether or not your household can benefit from the installation of a water softener.

The Pros

  • Whether you wash your clothes by hand or in a washing machine, they will be softer.
  • Your fabrics and clothes will last longer.
  • Your white fabrics and clothing will stay whiter for much longer.
  • You will be able to use less soap and shampoo (softer water makes more lather)
  • Your skin and hair will be cleaner and smoother.
  • For people with sensitive skin, hard water can cause problems. The water softener can alleviate those issues.
  • Everything coming out of the dishwasher will be shinier and cleaner.
  • You will extend the lifespan of your appliances (i.e. coffee machine, ice maker, water heater, dishwasher, washing machine)
  • You will also save money on repair and maintenance to your appliances.
  • You won’t have to buy and use as much skin lotion.
  • You won’t have to buy and use cleaners to get rid of hard water stains.
  • Adding a water softener to your home only increases the overall value of your home. (Great for resale).

The Cons

  • Cost: The initial price of purchasing and installing a water softener can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. If your water softener is salt based then you need to add the ongoing cost of salt for the unit.
  • Maintenance: There is some maintenance involved which involves adding salt on a regular basis, cleaning the resin bed and brine tank once a year.
  • Overall, the cost of a water softener can outweigh the benefits depending on how long you plan to stay in the home and how important some of these benefits listed above are to you. If you’ve lived in a part of the country that has hard water then you know the difficulties that can be associated with dealing with that on a daily basis.

Of course, if you have questions about any of these issues, we urge you to contact your plumber or you can call us at Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570.

Do Water Softeners Increase Home Value?

Generally speaking – home modifications that result in savings for the homeowner do increase the value of the home.

Many homeowners weight the pros and cons of any home modification and that includes the installation of a water softener or any reverse osmosis system.

The issues to consider are:

  1. How long do YOU plan to stay in your home? If the answer is 10 years or more then most home modifications that you make should be worth it – and also you can reap the benefits of enjoying those changes.
  2. The value of most any home modification depends on the buyer of course. If the buyer recognizes the savings that can be made by having a water softener system, then that installation does increase the value of the home.

“If it was needed, then yes, putting in a water softener is a plus for the buyer of the home because it’s already there and it’s one less thing that the buyer has to install.” Atlanta Realtor Sherry Caplan

Are Water Softeners Safe?

You may be wondering if drinking water that has gone through a water softener system is safe. And since salts are needed in a water softener system – if you are on a low sodium diet you may be overly concerned about injesting more sodium from your drinking water.

Regular tap water contains very little sodium. The amount of sodium a water softener adds to tap water depends on the “hardness” of the water. Hard water contains large amounts of calcium and magnesium. Some water-softening systems replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. The higher the concentration of calcium and magnesium, the more sodium needed to soften the water. Even so, the added sodium doesn’t add up too much.

An 8-ounce (237-milliliter) glass of softened water generally contains less than 12.5 milligrams of sodium, which is well within the Food and Drug Administration’s definition of “very low sodium.” Thus, it’s unlikely that sodium in softened water would pose a risk for most healthy people. – CulliganDenver.com

Do I Really Need A Water Softener?

You would only be looking to get a water softener if you live in an area that has hard water. Below is an image from the U.S. Geological Survey showing the water hardiness levels throughout the United States. This image is originally found on their page on Water Hardness and Alkalinity.

water hardiness

Here in Georgia, we are fortunate that the majority of the state has the lowest levels of hard water found in the United States. However, we do have a lot of red clay and you may notice those red stains showing up in your shower head, shower floor, around your sink drains, etc. A water softener combined with an aerator will work to greatly reduce that.

Water is labeled as “hard” when the most common minerals found in the water are calcium and magnesium. This generally is due to the types of minerals, rocks and metals that are found in the ground.

There are many different types of water softeners. We recommend you contact your local plumber (like the folks here in Georgia at Atlantis Plumbing) for information on what system would work best for you and your home.

If you have any questions about water softeners, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.