Riviera Solutions

Hard" water is filled with mineral ions, most commonly magnesium and calcium. While a high mineral content is not necessarily harmful to human health, these concentrated ions can damage plumbing lines. Over time, calcium and magnesium deposits can block pipes, hurt water heaters and decrease the effectiveness of water-soluble cleaners such as detergents and soaps.

This is where a water softener is helpful. Using ion exchange, a water softener removes calcium and magnesium from water, resulting in "soft" water. When hard water enters a water softener, it first passes through a tank containing resin beads. Oversaturated with sodium, the resin beads bind to the mineral ions, swapping magnesium and calcium for sodium. Free of harmful minerals, the output water is considered soft and safe to enter the plumbing lines.

Routine upkeep will make your water softener work more efficiently and last longer. However, for the best results, have an expert perform an annual inspection on the equipment — regular servicing will not only extend the life of your water softening system, but it also has the potential to lower any future repair costs.