Reverse osmosis is a process that removes calcium and other minerals from hard water. A faucet attachment is the easiest option if you simply want to remove calcium from your drinking water to improve the taste.
Carbonate hardness that you can boil out of drinking water includes calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, and calcium hydroxide.
Remember that calcium is actually a mineral that is good for you! Tap water is generally just as safe to drink as filtered water, so using a Brita or other purifier is just a matter of personal taste.
When you buy from a big retailer they often offer finance plans and full package deals that include installation. This helps with the financial part and saves you the trouble of finding an installer.
Salt-based water softener systems are very cheap to run after you install them. The only ongoing expense is salt to refill the tank when it gets low, and a good system will last for years.
When you don’t have any plumbing experience it is best to call a professional to install the water softener in your home. The installation will only take 2-3 hours.
Install the water softener close to where the water supply enters your home. A nearby drain is necessary to carry away the discharged water from the system. Make sure to install the water softener in a place that does not block access to your water supply shutoff valve or the water heater.
Remember that you may need to cut into pipes if your home is not already plumbed for a water softener.
A salt-based water softener will last for many years and the only ongoing cost is to refill the salt in the tank.
Make sure that the system will not block access to your water heater or the water supply shutoff valve after you install it. Don’t install the water softener anywhere that receives direct sunlight or where the temperatures drop below freezing. Excessive sun can distort parts of the system and freezing temperatures will stop it from working.
The water supply shutoff valve is usually located on the inside of a wall near an outdoor faucet on the other side of the wall.
Make sure to do this to avoid water spills if you need to cut into ay pipes to install the water softener.
It will take no more than half a day to install the system if you are proficient in plumbing. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for filling the system’s tank with salt.
Make sure the water softener overflow tube is located above a drain.
