Water Softeners for Hard Water in Maryland
Water Softener Company Serving Annapolis, Columbia & More
Have you ever tried to wash something, and the soap you were using wouldn’t lather? Most likely, you blamed it on the soap, but the problem was likely your hard water.
Water Doctor provides water softener solutions for homes with hard water in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. Contact us today to discuss your water treatment needs, or keep reading to learn more.
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What Is Hard Water?
Hard water originally got its name because it made cleaning difficult. Calcium and magnesium are the main causes of hard water issues. They dissolve in your water supply and the salts created cause a host of problems.
In addition to making soaps ineffective, hard water causes scaling inside pipes and water fixtures, leaves a buildup on dishes, especially glasses, and can cause cooking pans to scale.
Signs You Have Hard Water
It would be so easy if you could tell by the feel of your water whether or not it was hard, but that isn’t possible. There are signs that alert you to the problem and a water specialist can then test your water for calcium and magnesium to confirm if hard water or something else is causing the problem.
Look for these signs that your home has a hard water problem:
- Dingy-looking laundry that feels stiff or you need to use fabric softener with your clothing
- A film on dishes and glassware caused by deposits
- Soap scum
- Scale buildup in sinks, tubs, and appliances
- Increasing energy bills
If these sound familiar, it’s time to consider calling a water specialist to have your water tested and treated at your home in Baltimore, Columbia, or surrounding Maryland areas.
We offer a free water quality analysis to ensure we create the perfect plan for improving your water quality.
Benefits of a Water Softener
Maryland water often contains high levels of minerals, making it notoriously hard. A water softener effectively removes these excess minerals from your water as it enters your home, providing many advantages:
- Protects plumbing: Softened water reduces mineral buildup in pipes, helping to prevent blockages and leaks.
- Improves skin and hair: Hard water can dry out skin and hair, while softer water leaves both feeling smoother and healthier.
- Increases appliance lifespan: Appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters run more efficiently and last longer with softened water.
- Enhances cleaning results: Soft water contains fewer minerals, meaning it doesn’t leave residue and allows detergents and soaps to lather better. This enhances the cleanliness of dishes, clothes, and surfaces.
- Reduces energy bills: Softened water helps appliances operate more efficiently, potentially lowering energy consumption and utility costs.
Our Water Softener Installations
Our experienced team provides expert water softener installations to provide your whole home with the comfort and convenience of softened water.
We carefully assess your home’s water and recommend high-quality units tailored to your needs. Our trained technicians perform regular maintenance and water testing to ensure quality water. We’ll keep a detailed record of all services performed at your home to maximize efficiency and offer an excellent customer experience.
Call Water Doctor for Water Softeners in Annapolis, Baltimore & Columbia, MD
When you trust Water Doctor to investigate your hard water problem, we’ll test your water at no cost to you. Before we install a water softener filtration system, we provide you with a warranty that tells you exactly what we expect in the way of performance.
We also don’t simply install it and leave you on your own. Our professionals will install your new system and return to check on its performance. We’ll also let you know when it’s time to schedule system maintenance.
Contact us to get on the road to softer, cleaner clothing and lower energy bills. We serve many cities in Maryland, including Annapolis, Baltimore, Columbia, and Gaithersburg.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about water softeners? Check out these articles for further information:
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a water softener work?
A water softener works by removing minerals (like calcium and magnesium) that cause water hardness. This is typically done through a process called ion exchange. The water softener contains resin beads that are coated with sodium ions.
As hard water passes through the resin, the calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to and held by the resin, while the sodium ions are released into the water. This exchange softens the water.
Is softened water safe to drink?
Yes, softened water is generally safe to drink for most people. However, because it contains a higher sodium content compared to hard water, people on a low-sodium diet or with certain health conditions like hypertension might need to be cautious.
It’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider if you have specific health concerns.
Does water softening strip away minerals?
Yes, water softening primarily removes calcium and magnesium, which are the minerals responsible for water hardness. While these minerals are essential for health, they’re typically consumed through food rather than drinking water. Therefore, the removal of these minerals from water doesn’t significantly affect your overall mineral intake.
Are there health benefits to softened water?
The primary benefits of softened water are more practical than health-related. Softened water can help prevent scale buildup in pipes and appliances, making them more efficient and longer-lasting. It also makes soap and detergent more effective, resulting in cleaner dishes and softer clothes. There’s no significant evidence to suggest direct health benefits from drinking softened water.
Why does soft water feel slimy or slick in the shower?
Soft water can feel slimy or slick because it doesn’t contain the minerals that interact with soap to form soap scum. This means soap lathers more easily and can be harder to rinse off completely. The slick feeling is actually your natural skin oils, as the soap hasn’t stripped them away as it does in hard water.
This sensation is often mistaken for a residue left by the soap, but it’s just the absence of the minerals that you’re used to feeling in hard water.
Does softened water taste different?
Many people notice a slight difference in the taste of softened water, typically describing it as smoother or cleaner than hard water. Any taste difference is subtle, and most homeowners quickly become accustomed to and prefer the improved quality of softened water.
Does a water softener purify my home's water?
While a water softener is commonly used to remove hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium, it’s also used to treat radium and cadmium and trap lead entering your home. However, softeners don’t filter out contaminants such as bacteria, chlorine, or chemicals.
Water testing and consultation by our professionals will provide the most comprehensive water treatment for your home.
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Maryland Counties
Anne Arundel | Howard | Baltimore | Frederick | Montgomery | Carroll | Charles | Calvert | Queen Anne's | Harford
Anne Arundel | Howard | Baltimore | Frederick | Montgomery | Carroll | Charles | Calvert | Queen Anne's | Harford