How Does A Water Softener Work - Salt-Free, Electronic, & Magnetic

Q: How does a water softener work?

The primary duty of a water softener is to remove hardness from water. So that there are no side effects of using this water on hair, skin, and overall health of our body. With that, softeners also help in improving the efficiency and life of appliances and plumbing by reducing scale buildup and rust stains.

The whole population of the world, mainly those who live in cities have to live on hard water. They use it for cooking, drinking, laundry, dishwashing, bathing, and all other daily life activities. With time, this problem is rising. The only relief available is the use of water softeners. But before making a choice, everyone must know the working behind the softening unit. So let’s explore…

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How does a water softener work:

How does a water softener work:

The primary function of the best water softener is to remove hardness from water. So that there are no side effects of using this water on hair, skin, and overall health of our body. With that, softeners also help in improving the efficiency and life of appliances and plumbing by reducing scale buildup and rust stains. The most crucial point to take notice here is that working of all systems is not the same. With that, efficiency and effectiveness also vary with each type of water softener. To choose what is the best water softener for you, read below the working pattern of four major types of water softeners.

How does a salt-based water softener work:

A salt-based water softener has three main components; brine tank, control valve, and mineral tank. The system removes hardness through an ion exchange process. The brine tank holds salt which is added manually. The salt can be sodium chloride or potassium chloride. Also, it can be in the form of pellets or blocks. This salt dissolves in water at the bottom of the tank. This suspension passes to the mineral tank after each regeneration. The control valve measures the water usage and regeneration cycle. And controls the flow of salt solution in the mineral tank too.

The hard water moves through the mineral tank. The hard minerals, i.e., calcium and magnesium, carry a positive charge. When these positive charge components pass through resin beads which carry a negative charge, they left the water and stick to the negative charge particles. So when the water leaves the tank, it is now the soft water. As per control valve settings, when the capacity of resin beads to attract positive charge components is no more, the regeneration cycle begins.

See the installation guide of water softeners here…

How does a salt-free water softener work:

Salt-free water softeners are water conditioners in actual. They do not soften the water but break the hard minerals in a way that they can pass easily from plumbing, through faucets, into the drain. These systems use Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) to attract hardness causing particles. Now the system will make these components insoluble in water. They will still remain present but will not be harmful anymore. In return, there will be no soap scum, scale buildup, and plumbing blockage.

See all buying options of a salt-free water softener here…

How does an electronic water softener work:

The electric water softeners are known as electric descalers too. Because not only they prevent scale buildup but also help in the reduction of existing scale. Two cords, one positive and one negative, are rolled over the main water pipeline. So when the water passes by, these cords attract the hard particles through strong electromagnetic waves. These waves break the hard minerals in the water into microscopic components. Which can now easily pass throughout the system with zero adverse effect. The existing scale buildup will also be removed with time in the coverage area of the descaler. Although, if you want to increase the coverage area, you will have to insert another unit.

How does a magnetic water softener work:

Magnetic fields are inserted around the main water supply line. Your need for the number of magnetic field units will vary as per water hardness level and water usage. So when the water passes by, the powerful magnets will attract the hardness. The hard minerals are processed to be insoluble, and the soft water will flow into the house. As a result, scale buildup will not be a problem anymore. The result will be visible within a few days.

See all buying options for the best water softeners here…

From the working of four different systems, you now know that if you want a real water softener, a salt-based system is the only choice. Other systems process water to break the minerals, but they do not remove hardness altogether. However, they are a suitable choice if you don’t want any extra thing to be the part of the water that removes necessary minerals from it. In the end, I must say it all depends on your choice, hardness level, and water usage. So make the right decision…