You need clean water for everyday activities like cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene. Many Austin homeowners wonder which is best—a water filter or a water softener? Examine the key differences between inline water filters and whole-house water softeners, the benefits they provide and how to decide 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 treats water as it comes into your home. It’s installed right on your main water line, removing sediment, chlorine, bacteria and other impurities from the municipal water supply before it moves into 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 cleaned at a water treatment plant. However, many local water supplies barely meet EPA standards, and water may pick up pollutants between the treatment plant and your home. Here’s how setting up a water filter can benefit you:
- Healthier water: Water filters remove unhealthy microorganisms, carcinogenic materials and other potentially harmful particles for safer, better-tasting drinking water.
- Reduced sediment: Water filters minimize sediment buildup in your pipes, appliances and fixtures, shielding them from wear and tear.
- No plastic waste: Inline water filters diminish the need for bottled water, adding 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 decreasesthe stress on your plumbing system.
How to Tell if You Need a Whole-House Water Filter
About one-third of American households depend on home treatment systems for top-quality drinking water. Here are some telltale indicators that you need a whole-house water filter:
- Discoloration, strange taste or nasty 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.
- Repeated plumbing problems: A whole-house water filter helps reduce clogged pipes, low water pressure and other problems.
- Skin irritation: If you experience redness, rashes or other skin issues attributed to poor water quality, a whole-house water filter may be helpful.
- Past history: Does your local water supply have a history of contamination? Using a whole-house water filter can give you peace of mind against future problems.
What Is a Water Softener?
A water softener eliminates calcium and magnesium from water. A process called ion exchange works 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, here’s what you’ll notice once you put in a water softener:
- Longer plumbing life span: Soft water minimizes scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, dishwashers and washing machines, prolonging their life span and enhancing their appearance.
- Clog-free plumbing: Soft water doesn’t leave a hard mineral coating to adhere to your plumbing system, keeping your pipes and faucets flowing effortlessly.
- 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 effectively for lower electricity expenses.
How to Determine if You Need a Water Softener
Most water supplies in North America are deemed moderately hard, hard or very hard. A good way to find out about the quality of water in your home is by reading your city’s water quality report. In the meantime, here are some signs 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 clogged by mineral deposits within 18 months of use. Watch for this because it is a result of hard water.
- Dry skin and hair: Hard water prevents soap from rinsing completely, causing irritated skin and brittle hair.
- Repeated appliance repairs: If your dishwasher or water heater stops working frequently due to scale buildup, a water softener may be a worthwhile acquisition.
Should You Use Both a Water Filter and a Water Softener?
Inline water filters and water softeners both offer valuable benefits, but they perform different jobs. An inline water filter takes away contaminants and improves overall water quality, while a water softener specifically targets hard minerals. In some circumstances, having 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 Austin
Strand Brothers Service Experts is a trustworthy provider of water treatment solutions in Austin, carrying high-quality water filters and water softeners from Excalibur. Our team can help you decide if one or both solutions are necessary to help you enjoy the best water quality in your Austin home.