Hard water is a common issue across North America, affecting over 85% of the water supply. It occurs when water dissolves minerals like calcium and magnesium from rocks and soil. While these minerals aren’t harmful to your health, they can cause a variety of problems in your Charlotte home.

The Water Quality Association defines hard water as containing dissolved minerals above one grain per gallon (GPG). Here’s a breakdown of water hardness levels:

• Soft: Less than 1 GPG
• Slightly hard: 1 to 3.5 GPG
• Moderately hard: 3.5 to 7 GPG
• Hard: 7 to 10.5 GPG
• Very hard: 10.5 and higher GPG

Hard water levels can range from “slightly hard” to “very hard”. Irrespective of the hardness level across Charlotte, Hickory and surrounding area, hard water can cause:

• Spotty dishes
• Dry skin and hair
• Faded laundry
• Soap scum buildup
• Reduced appliance efficiency
• Plumbing problems
  
  

Want softer, cleaner water? Culligan of Charlotte offers free water testing to help you find the best solution.

You don’t have to be a water expert to understand the basic principles behind water softening and water filtration. Here’s an abridged version of what happens when you soften or filter water.

Softening water involves a process called “ion exchange” to remove dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can’t be trapped in a filter bed. Softeners contain resin beads with sodium attached. As water enters the tank, dissolved calcium and magnesium are attracted to the resin. The resin swaps the sodium in exchange for the dissolved minerals, helping to remove the impurities from the water.

Meanwhile, filtering water involves the separation of particles from H2O. By passing water through a “filter bed” or “media bed”, these granular particles are trapped and cleaner water flows to your tap. Water filters reduce a wider array of contaminants than water softeners.

For most individuals, drinking softened water is safe. The sodium levels added during the softening process are minimal. Combining your water softener with a reverse osmosis drinking water system can further reduce salt and potential contaminants.

Regular maintenance, including annual inspections and water testing, is essential to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your water softener.

Water softener size/capacity refers to how much the system can handle before regeneration is necessary. Capacity also impacts the amount of salt needed over time to make sure that the device can continue to treat water hardness.

The exact size/capacity of the water softener needed in your home depends on a variety of factors, including:

• The hardness of your water
• The service capacity from your well or municipal water supply
• Your typical household water usage
• Overall flow rate
  
  

Ultimately, the process of selecting the best water softener for your home doesn’t have to be complicated. Working with your local Culligan Water expert is a quick and easy way to find the correct size for your household. Getting this right is important for ensuring the best water quality and maximum efficiency.