Water Softener Archives - Ising's Culligan

How Do Salt-Free Water Softeners Work? Exploring the Technology and Benefits

Water softeners are essential for many households to ensure clean and healthy water. Traditionally, salt-based water softeners have been the go-to option for homeowners. However, salt-free water softeners are gaining popularity due to their numerous benefits. In this article, we will explore how salt-free water softeners work and some interesting facts that the general public may not know.

What are Salt-Free Water Softeners?

Salt-free water softeners are a type of water treatment technology that work by using a process called template-assisted crystallization (TAC). TAC technology involves the use of specialized beads that are designed to attract and bind hard water minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. By doing so, the hard minerals are unable to adhere to surfaces and pipes, preventing scale buildup.

How Do Salt-Free Water Softeners Work?

Salt-free water softeners operate without the use of ion exchange resins, which are found in traditional salt-based water softeners. Instead, TAC technology utilizes a crystallization process that converts dissolved minerals in water into crystals that are unable to adhere to surfaces.

The specialized beads in the salt-free water softener are coated with a catalyst material that promotes the formation of crystals. As water flows through the beads, the hard water minerals are attracted to the surface of the beads, where they combine with the catalyst material and form crystals. These crystals are then carried away with the water, preventing them from adhering to surfaces and forming scale.

Interesting Facts about Salt-Free Water Softeners

Salt-free water softeners are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional salt-based softeners. They do not require the use of chemicals or electricity to operate, making them a more sustainable option.

Salt-free water softeners are ideal for people who are on a low-sodium diet or have health conditions that require them to limit their sodium intake. Traditional salt-based water softeners add significant amounts of sodium to water, which can be problematic for people with certain health conditions.

Salt-free water softeners are low-maintenance and do not require regular salt refills or backwashing. This can save homeowners time and money on maintenance costs.

Salt-free water softeners are an innovative and eco-friendly technology that can provide many benefits to homeowners. By using TAC technology, salt-free water softeners prevent the buildup of hard water minerals and scale without the need for chemicals or electricity. These systems are low-maintenance and can be a more sustainable option for people who are concerned about the environment or their health.

If you’re interested in learning more about salt-free water softeners, contact Ising’s Culligan Water today. Our team of experts can help you determine the best solution for your household and provide professional installation and maintenance services. Fill out our online contact form or call us at 925-447-3717 to schedule your free water analysis and consultation.

Do you need a water softener with reverse osmosis?

Clean and healthy water is a vital resource for any household, and a range of technologies are available to help ensure high-quality water. Water softeners and reverse osmosis systems are two popular options that offer unique benefits. In this article, we explore the science and benefits of each technology, as well as tips for choosing and using them to achieve the best results.

Understanding Water Softeners:

Hard water is a common problem that can lead to various issues, including buildup in pipes and appliances, soap scum buildup, scaling, and stains on fixtures. Water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove hard minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, from the water supply. In addition to improving the taste and smell of water, water softeners can help protect plumbing and appliances from damage.

Real-World Example: A family in a region with hard water installed a water softener and noticed a significant reduction in soap scum and buildup in their bathroom fixtures, as well as longer lifespan of their appliances.

Understanding Reverse Osmosis Systems:

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems use a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities from water, such as dissolved salts, lead, and other contaminants. This highly effective technology produces pure and safe drinking water that is free from impurities and harmful substances.

Real-World Example: A homeowner in an area with high levels of lead contamination installed a reverse osmosis system and noticed a significant improvement in the taste and safety of their drinking water.

Do You Need Both Technologies?

The choice to use one or both technologies depends on the specific needs of your household. If you have hard water, a water softener can help protect plumbing and appliances from damage, but it does not remove impurities such as lead or bacteria. If you want to ensure that your water is free from impurities, a reverse osmosis system can be a good option, but it does not remove minerals from water.

Using Both Technologies Together:

Using both a water softener and a reverse osmosis system together can be an excellent way to ensure the highest quality water. With a water softener, you can protect your plumbing and appliances from damage caused by hard water, while a reverse osmosis system can provide you with pure, clean, and healthy drinking water.

Real-World Example: A homeowner with hard water and concerns about lead contamination installed both a water softener and a reverse osmosis system and noticed a significant improvement in the taste, safety, and lifespan of their plumbing and appliances.

Choosing the Right Water Treatment Technology:

Choosing the right water treatment technology requires careful consideration of your specific needs, water quality, and budget. Working with a reputable water treatment provider can help you make an informed decision and ensure that your water is safe, clean, and healthy for you and your family. Some factors to consider when choosing a water treatment technology include:

Water quality testing to identify specific contaminants and impurities
Cost and energy efficiency of the system
Maintenance and replacement costs
Environmental impact and sustainability
Maintaining and Troubleshooting Water Treatment Systems:

Proper maintenance and troubleshooting of water treatment systems can help ensure that they operate efficiently and effectively. Some tips for maintaining and troubleshooting water treatment systems include:

Regularly replacing filters and other components according to the manufacturer’s instructions
Monitoring water quality and system performance
Checking for leaks, damage, or other issues
Consulting with a professional if you experience any problems or concerns

Conclusion:

Water softeners and reverse osmosis systems are effective technologies that can help ensure clean and healthy water for your household. By understanding the benefits and limitations of each technology, you can make an informed decision about which system is right for you. Working with a reputable water treatment provider and following proper maintenance and troubleshooting practices can help ensure that your system operates effectively and efficiently. By taking these steps, you can enjoy the benefits of high-quality water that is safe, clean, and healthy for you and your family.

Contact Ising’s Culligan Water Today

If you’re interested in learning more about water softeners and reverse osmosis systems, Ising’s Culligan Water can help. We offer a range of water treatment technologies to meet your needs, including both water softeners and reverse osmosis systems. Our team of experts can help you choose the right system for your home and provide professional installation and ongoing maintenance services.

Don’t wait any longer to enjoy clean and healthy water in your home. Contact Ising’s Culligan Water today by filling out our online contact form or calling (925) 447-3717 to schedule your free water analysis and consultation.

What Are the Benefits of Having Soft Water?

You might’ve heard a lot about hard water, and how it’s bad for your appliances, fixtures, piping, and even the health of your skin and hair. Having hard water cannot always be avoided, as in many parts of the country the water sources are high in minerals like calcium or magnesium. However, you can manage this issue by using a water softener system, eliminating the minerals from your household water.

The Benefits of Having Soft Water

But why should you invest in a solution that gives you soft water? Well, here are some of the benefits.

Your plumbing system will last longer: Plumbing is often worn out before its time because of hard water deposits on pipes, water heaters, etc. Hard water can really damage appliances and plumbing, leading to very costly repairs or replacements in the long term.
It will be much easier to clean your home: Soft water helps you clean around your home faster and more efficiently, as it doesn’t leave lime deposits, it lathers with detergent much better than hard water does, and helps you obtain a shiny, streak-free finish on your windows, fixtures, and floors.
Your skin and hair will stay healthy and beautiful: Soft water has the same good effect on your skin and hair, which can become dull and dry if exposed to hard water regularly. Your hair will be much softer and shinier, and your skin velvety and smooth. Soft water can even prevent eczema and dermatitis in some cases.
Energy-saving, more efficient heating: Soft water conducts heat more efficiently, and maintains the health of your heating system. It will help you lower your electricity bill, using less energy for heating.

As you can see, having soft water comes with a lot of benefits. Getting a water softening system is a long-term investment that saves money in many ways, by preserving your belongings and installations in good condition, for a longer time.

Get a Reliable Water Softening Solution

Explore different water softening systems provided by Ising’s Culligan Water, and see what fits your home best. We provide free at-home water tests, excellent customer service providing all the information you need about our products, and professional installation and maintenance of our ultra-modern systems.

Fill out the online form on our website or give us a call at 925-447-3717. We will give you all the information you need and help you choose the best solution.

What Size Water Softener Do I Need For My House?

As the name suggests, a water softener reduces water hardness caused by an excessive presence of minerals in the water supply, such as calcium and magnesium. Water softeners operate through ion exchange resin to remove hard water minerals from the supply and are exchanged for sodium ions, which results in softer water.

Benefits of Water Softeners

You might be wondering why you should care about the hardness of your water. Because hard water deposits and can build up in hot water heaters and boilers, water usage can run up costs due to low efficiency. Hard water can also dry out your skin and hair and lead to soap scum. A water softener will reduce soap scum and mineral buildup that leads to these problems.

How to Calculate the Proper Size

The proper size of a water softener is determined by a few factors: how much water your household uses, the hardness of your water, and the flow rate.

Water hardness can be measured with testing kits that show you the levels of minerals that are present in your water or you may be able to obtain this information from your municipality. Take the number of people in your household and multiply that figure by how many gallons they use per day.

If you can’t discern this information from your water bill, use the average which is 50-75 gallons of water per person per day. Multiply the average amount of water usage by each person in your household to determine the total water usage.

Now you’ll need to find out the grain capacity. To get this figure, multiply the grains per gallon of hardness by your total water consumption. This tells you how many grains per day the softener will need to remove.

Softener Capacity

When a water softener regenerates, it flushes out minerals from the hard water. It’s the process of replacing calcium ions with sodium ions. Therefore, your softener capacity determines how much salt is necessary to keep treating new hard water.

Flow Rate

The flow rate takes into account how many sources of water usage can occur at any given time, whether it be from sinks, showers, or toilets. Add all of the possible sources of water up together in gallons per minute. This is your flow rate.

What Happens If I Choose the Wrong Size?

The proper size for a water softener is based on these previously mentioned calculations. If your softener doesn’t have enough grain capacity, regeneration will have to occur more frequently which means it will need more salt. Alternatively, getting a water softener that is too big is no good either, as this reduces efficiency and flow rates and will cost more upfront.

Water Softeners at Ising’s Culligan Water

If you need a new water softener, then contact us at Ising’s Culligan Water. We can assist you with finding the right sized water softener for your household and our water softeners extend the longevity of your pipes as well as your home appliances. To learn more about our water softeners, give us a call at 925-447-3717.

When to Replace Your Water Softener
Do I Need a Water Softener If I Have Whole House Water Filtration?
How is Water Hardness Measured?
What Your Tap Water Could Be Doing to Your Hair, Skin, and Nails
What Is Hard Water, And What Causes It In Your Home?

When to Replace Your Water Softener

Water softeners typically last a very long time. However, they’re not designed to last forever, and many factors can influence their lifespan.

Additionally, if you move into a new home and doubt if the current water softener is doing its job properly, you might be interested in replacing it with a new and improved one. In any case, homeowners can experience certain difficulties in knowing how to tell the signs that their current water softener might use an upgrade.

Not to worry; we at Ising’s Culligan Water have prepared this short guide to help you.

Signs Your Current Water Softener Isn’t Working Properly

Most modern water softeners have digital timers, so if you go and inspect yours right now, and spot a mechanical timer, that’s a clear sign you need a new one.

Older systems aren’t as efficient as their modern counterparts, and they usually work on a timer, as opposed to based on your actual water usage. You might also notice you’re consuming a lot more electricity as a result, since older systems use up a lot more power.

Other clear indicators can include:

Big differences in water quality. It could be good today, and it can come out hard just a few days later, after which it seems fine again. Good water softeners offer consistency.

A full salt tank. Water softeners need salt to function, so if yours is full, then your system isn’t working the way that it should.

Replacing salt very frequently – conversely, using too much salt is also a problem. If you notice you need to replace salt more often now, this is a clear sign you should change your system.

Need to replace a specific part – if there is damage to your system and you need to replace a part, you are often better off changing the system altogether. It can be extremely hard to find the right parts, especially for older systems.

What to Look for in a New Water Softener

If your water softener needs replacing, there are some key things to look for:

Operating efficiency
Customization options
Water and salt usage tracking abilities
Remote management functionalities
Easy maintenance

These are now the basic requirements that make a good water softener. If you’re ready for an upgrade and are looking for a good water softener for your home, we can help.

Contact Ising’s Culligan Water online or call us now at 925-447-3717.

Do I Need a Water Softener If I Have Whole House Water Filtration?

Many homeowners are interested in making their water supply clean, safe for consumption, healthy to use and free of contaminants like toxic substances, bacteria, or other microorganisms. Another problem many homeowners are trying to get rid of is hard water, a high concentration of minerals in the tap water that can damage plumbing, appliances and affect the inhabitant’s health.

Luckily, technology allows us today to fight these issues through highly performant filtering systems that purify the water, separating it from contaminants, excess minerals and other foreign particles.

What Does a Whole House Filter Do?

Water filters can be installed to serve the entire house, so that you only receive and use water that went through the filtering system. Filters vary a lot in performance and function, as some of them perform better, or target certain types of debris.

Some of the best whole house water filters will only stop particles that are bigger than 30-50 microns. This will work wonders for most types of debris that could infiltrate in your water supply, but smaller magnesium and calcium particles could still go through.

What Does a Water Softener Do?

Water softeners use different types of technologies to separate the minerals from the water and to not let them end up in your plumbing system. The main purpose of a water softener is to get rid of calcium and magnesium, but some of them are able to clean up the water from traces of ammonia, chlorine and other substances as well.

Water softeners have evolved to technologies that don’t drain salt and brine in the sewer system, which has caused problems in the past. Our water softening solutions are designed to soften your water in an effective and eco-friendly way.

What Should You Get?

If you do, indeed, have a problem with hard water, which can be easily determined with a free at-home test, you will need a water softener. But if you are interested in eliminating any other particles that might infiltrate in your water supply, get a whole house water filtration system as well.

Having both solutions in your house will secure the water supply you and your family are using everyday, preventing health issues and other problems.

If you want to know more about water-purifying technologies, fill in the online contact form or call 925-447-3717. We at Ising’s Culligan Water are ready to offer the best solutions.

What are the differences between automatic water softener systems and portable exchange tanks?

Hi, I’m Jay with Ising’s Culligan Water. I’m here today to discuss the differences between automatic systems and portable exchange tanks.

There’s a variety of automatic treatment systems. These different systems are composed of water softeners, carbon filters, depth filters, and certain treatment systems that remove hydrogen sulfide and iron. To understand the regeneration process, we will look at water softeners as an example. In water softeners, there is a resin and or media inside of the softener that removes the impurities out of the water that creates hardness, for instance, calcium and magnesium. As the water flows through the softening system and the resin removes these impurities, the resin only has a certain life on how long it lasts before that resin needs cleaned. Typically, the hardness of the water in different areas will vary, therefore the resin inside of the tank will last as long, dependent on the hardness of the water. Therefore, the resin in the tank needs cleaned and or what we call, in our world, regenerated.

An automatic system will automatically regenerate this resin on site. There is a separate take that sits next to a water softener called a brine tank. The brine tank holds a brine solution that is made up of salt and water. When the resin needs cleaned and the regeneration process takes place, the water softener itself will suck the brine solution out of the brine tank and it will wash the resin in the softening tank. At that point, the brine solution that has now cleaned the resin has taken all the hardness and impurities off of the resin and will flush it down the drain. The resin is now new again and ready for use.

The difference, though, between an automatic system and a portable exchange tank is the fact, for the portable exchange, we do the regeneration process for you. Therefore, instead of a second tank sitting on site and it automatically occurring, whether it be set up on a time clock, meaning every couple of days at a certain time, or based on a meter, after you use so many gallons, we base the size of the tank on how many gallons you use a month or every couple of weeks, at which point we’ll show back up, give you a new tank. We will take your old tank back to our shop and we will regenerate the tank ourselves. There are also certain areas, especially in the state of California, where the city municipalities do not allow automatic systems because they do not want the brine solution washed into the drain. Therefore, please check with your city municipality for what is regulated and what is acceptable in your area. 0:02:51.7 Jay: I hope you found this video helpful. If you have any other follow-up questions, please leave them below or give us a call at 925-447-3717. If you liked this video and want to receive releases of new videos, please don’t forget to hit subscribe below. Thank you, and see you next video.

Are Water Treatment Systems Worth The Investment?

Water treatment systems are any devices designed to improve the quality of the water in a home, and allow the consumer to safely use it for cooking, drinking, bathing, and other purposes.

The benefits of a good water treatment system are quite compelling, and they go beyond safety.

Major Benefits of a Water Treatment System

While the Environmental Protection Agency has an established regulation regarding public drinking water, people all over the country can still have unsafe water in their homes. One investigation claimed nearly 63 million Americans all over the country were exposed to unsafe water more than once in the past decade or so.

A good water treatment system could potentially change that, as you’re no longer fully dependent on other agencies to ensure your home’s water is safe for consumption. This can protect you and your family from the several diseases contaminated water can cause.

But, the health and safety of people are not the only benefits a water treatment system proposed. It can also:

Improve the taste of water – water is known as a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid, but the various other minerals found in certain waters can give it a taste, and usually not a very pleasant one especially if you consider the taste of lead or even sulfur. Water treatment systems purify the water and make it taste a lot better;

It softens the water – the more minerals the water has, the harder it is. Hard water usually has a negative impact on human skin and hair because it causes dryness. However, hard water can also increase the risk that certain water-dependent appliances will damage, such as a kettle or a washing machine. It can also affect water pressure over time if the minerals deposit inside the pipes;

Saves money long-term – from appliances that don’t get damaged so fast to not needing to purchase bottled water anymore for consumption, these systems end up paying for themselves in the long run;

It’s more sustainable – water is an essential resource, and the treatment system simply ensures homeowners use it more efficiently and reduce waste.

Aren’t Sure If You Need Such a System?

The benefits of a water treatment system are compelling, but if you’re not sure if you need one, you can schedule a free at-home water test with Ising’s Culligan Water. If you have questions about how we can help, call us at 925-447-3717, or send us a message online.

What are the differences between a salt free conditioner and water softener?

Hi. I’m Jay with Ising’s Culligan Water. Today, I’m here to discuss the differences between a salt-free conditioner and a water softener.

The main difference between a salt-free conditioner and a water softener is simple. A water softener removes hardness; salt-free conditioners do not. Salt-free conditioners merely help prevent scaling. They do not 100% eliminate it. As for a water softener, a water softener does remove almost 100% of water hardness depending on the initial hardness the water is to begin with. Additionally, with salt-free conditioners, the resin media inside of the conditioning tank is only good for so long.

In other words, unless you want to run an exact analysis on your water and run the mathematical equation to figure how long that resin is going to last, the resin does need replaced every two to five years depending on water quality. Therefore, in that case, you’re buying a new conditioner every two to five years. With the water softener though, the resin can be regenerated; therefore, it can last much longer. With a water softener, in addition to saving on cost, you’re also going to make the longevity of your products last longer because you are eliminating 100% of the hardness as opposed to a salt-free conditioner.

I hope you found this video helpful. If you have any follow-up questions, please leave them below, send us an email, or give us a call at 925-447-3717. And if you like this video and want to know more about when we release more videos, please don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button. Thank you, and we’ll see you in the next video.

Ready to learn more about your water? Schedule a free in-home water test or complete a water diagnose quiz yourself.

Are There Environmental Benefits To A Water Softener?

Hard water can cause a lot of nuances in a home. While it’s not a health risk, it can cause some damage to hair and skin health long-term. But, the biggest problems hard water causes have to do with the health of your house.

From damaging pipes to kitchen appliances, washing machines, and even your water heater, hard water is just something a lot of homeowners want to address, and a water softener seems to be a good solution. But is it environmentally-friendly?

How a Water Softener Impacts the Environment

Water softeners have a regeneration process during which they flush the system clean, and seemingly waste the water because of this step. And water waste has a huge negative effect on the environment.

However, if you look at it closer, this argument doesn’t seem to hold up.

Soft water is much more efficient than hard water, which means the household will consume a lot less water than previously. In the long-run, water is actually saved thanks to the water softener.

Additionally, using soft water can also help keep your appliances functional for longer, which eliminates the need to buy new ones. The manufacturing and purchasing of these appliances can also take a toll on the environment, so using the ones you already have for as long as possible is ideal.

What about the Salt?

Water softeners require salt to create a brine solution that removes the hardness from the water (usually calcium and magnesium). The concern is that this salt will eventually end up in the water system and affect the environment.

And that has been a problem with water softeners, historically, but manufacturers are seeking to address it with more efficient systems that require very low amounts of salt. A Culligan High Efficiency Water Softener, for instance, only requires homeowners to add salt once, maybe twice a year, depending on the level of hardness their water is at.

Signing off

Softening your home’s water is in itself a big step towards creating a more environmentally-friendly household, and the right system can help drive your efforts home. The Culligan High Efficiency Water Softener is designed to assist homeowners on this path, and it’s patented technology makes this system 46% more efficient than other systems on the market.

We at Ising’s Culligan Water can help you get this system in your home. Get in touch with us now for more information.

Is Hard Or Soft Water Better For Your Skin? Everything You Need To Know

Wondering whether hard or soft water is better for your skin? Find out how hard water affects your skin care routine now, and make sure you have the water softening products you need from Ising’s Culligan Water!

Hard Water Is Tough On Your Skin & Interferes With Hygiene Products

Hard water is full of minerals that tend to strip away moisture from your skin, which is never a good thing. If you find that you have to moisturize frequently – even immediately after you get out of the shower – hard water may be part of the issue.

In addition, hard water tends to form a filmy “scum” layer when minerals like calcium and magnesium react with soap. This can clog the pores, which may lead to issues like acne and eczema. It also may leave your skin feeling filmy and sticky after you get out of the shower.

Soft Water Is Better For Your Skin

Soft water is water that has been treated to remove “hard” minerals like calcium and magnesium. It’s much better for your skin, since it does not contain minerals that strip away moisture, and it won’t form soap scum or block your pores. If you’re serious about skincare, soft water is a must-have!

Is My Water Too Hard? Signs You’ll Recognize During Your Skin Care Routine

Not sure if you have hard water in your home? Here are a few easy-to-recognize signs that you may notice during your skin care routine.

Film that forms on your body or face after using soap and cleansers
Buildup of whitish material around the tap, shower head, or faucet
Frequent soap scum buildup in bathtubs, showers, and bathroom sinks
Weak water pressure or water that smells or tastes strange

If you notice these signs, you may need a water softener from Ising’s Culligan Water. Water softeners attach to your plumbing system and use a special design to completely eliminate “hard” minerals like calcium and magnesium – leaving you with better quality water and better skin, too!

Get A Water Softener For Better Skin!

Soft water tastes better, won’t leave residue in your pipes, and even helps you clean your skin and hair more effectively compared to hard water. So don’t put up with hard water any longer. Contact Ising’s Culligan Water today to explore our water softener solutions, and get the soft, pure, high-quality water you deserve.

5 Benefits Of Adding A Water Softener To Your Home

Interested in a water softener from Ising’s Culligan Water? Not sure why you should invest in one? Here are a few benefits that you’ll enjoy if you add a water softener to your home.

1. Cleaner Clothes & Fabrics

Water softeners help eliminate mineral deposits that may otherwise end up staining your clothes. Your white clothes may look yellowed and dingy. In some cases, frequently-washed textiles like towels and sheets may even start to feel stiff or hard on your skin. A water softener prevents this from happening, so your clothes and fabrics will be cleaner!

2. Sparkling Dishes

If you have foggy or cloudy glasses or regularly notice deposits on your silverware, these issues may be caused by hard water. By investing in a water softener, you can eliminate these deposits and keep your dishes looking clean and beautiful.

3. Protect Your Pipes

Over time, hard water can cause the buildup of calcium and other minerals in your water pipes, leading to restricted water flow, and even clogs that could result in burst pipes. With a water softener, the buildup of hard mineral deposits will be greatly reduced – keeping your plumbing in better shape.

4. Better Showers & Baths

Mineral deposits don’t just affect your dishes and your clothes – but they can also interfere with proper bathing. The deposits caused by hard water often react with detergents in soap and shampoo, leaving behind a nasty filmy residue – which can leave you feeling dirty even after you’ve finished showering. But with a water softener from Ising’s Culligan Water, you can eliminate this residue and feel better after bathing.

5. Eliminate Soap Scum

When your hard water reacts with soap and detergent in your shower or bath, this film doesn’t just stick to you – it can also build up on the shower enclosure or bathtub, creating hard-to-remove soap scum. A water softener is the best way to stop soap scum buildup, and make sure your tub or shower stays bright and clean!

Get A Water Softener From Ising’s Culligan Water – And Enjoy These Benefits!

If you have noticed issues like stains on your dishware or laundry, or problems with hard water in your shower or bath, a water softener from Ising’s Culligan Water is a great option. To learn more and get started, just contact us online or give us a call at 925-206-3727.