Water softeners are used by homeowners for a variety of reasons, but one of the biggest reasons why you might install a water softener is to decrease hardness in your water. Removing the minerals that lead to elevated hardness ensures that your clothing won’t stain, plumbing fixtures won’t be prematurely damaged and your water will be free from off-putting tastes. However, some homeowners invest in a water softener system because they believe it will do an effective job removing iron from their water. This is true in some cases, but they will not remove all forms of iron from your water. Here’s what every homeowner needs to know before they invest in a water softener for the wrong reasons.
What Do Water Softeners Remove from Water?
A water softener system, which you might also know as an ion exchange unit, removes a variety of substances from the water, including calcium and magnesium. A water softener will prevent your pipes, plumbing fixtures and water heater from developing build-up of scale due to high mineral levels. This can extend the lifespan of your plumbing devices, prevent soap films on your sink or bathtub, prevent spots on glassware and ensure you get the most from the soaps and detergents that you use.
While some homeowners don’t need to soften their water, others need to because of the elevated levels of minerals present. If your water hardness is higher than 7 grains per gallon, a water softener system can allow you to enjoy quality water. It’s important to note that water softeners don’t remove everything from water, so if there are other contaminants present like ferric iron, they will still remain after the water makes it through the water softening process.
What Are the Signs Your Water Has Too Much Iron?
Before you receive water testing with help from Hague Quality Water of Maryland, you might be able to identify some of the signs of elevated iron levels and take action. What are the signs that you have too much iron present in your home’s water supply?
- The water tastes metallic and can cause foods cooked in it to take on a slightly metallic taste
- There are dark stains on your toilet, bathtub or shower
- There are orange or rust-colored stains on your plates and silverware
- Your skin feels dry even after taking a shower
- Your water smells like rotten eggs
- When you make dark substances using your water like tea or coffee, it can almost turn them black in color
- A sludge that is red-brown or yellow in color and foul smelling left behind in your toilet tank
The best way to confirm the presence of iron in your water is by testing it. At Hague Quality Water of Maryland, we offer a mail-in test kit for your water samples that makes it easy to have your water tested. If you’d prefer to drop off your samples in person and skip the mail, you can do so at our location. Both of these will provide you with an in-depth, accurate report on exactly what is in your water.
What Happens if You Have High Iron Levels in Your Water?
Water softeners will remove ferrous iron, which is also known as Fe+2 iron, but not ferric iron, or Fe+3, iron bacteria and iron algae. These substances are naturally occurring in local water supplies and are prevalent throughout Maryland. In order to properly remove them, you need to use the right filtration solution. Hague Quality Water of Maryland has an innovative system configuration that uses four types of media to treat all four types of iron that might be present in one unit. It can work on levels of iron as high as 14-15 ppm. If your levels are higher, we can develop a treatment system that will supplement your system.
The Hague WaterMax system boasts a broad range of benefits, including:
- Sediment filtration up to 20 microns
- Media for iron algae, iron bacteria and ferric iron removal
- Ion exchange and water conditioner resin
- And more!
We want you to enjoy a water softener system that is stress-free and that removes everything you need out of your water from your water.
Test Your Water with Hague Quality Water of Maryland
If you are concerned about the quality and contents of your water, we are here to help with your water improvement projects. Whether you need the Hague WaterMax® System or additional filtration beyond that, our team cares deeply about the health and safety of your family. We offer a convenient mail-in water testing kit for conducting a complete water test at home. Samples can also be dropped off at our office. For additional assistance, call Hague Quality Water of Maryland at (410) 757-2992.
