Water Softener
Reliable Water Softeners
With almost forty years’ experience in the water treatment industry, Salt of the Earth Inc. possesses a unique blend of skill, experience and innovative techniques designed to ensure that the standard of water in homes and businesses is of the highest standard possible.
As a second-generation family run and locally operated business, we pride ourselves on maintaining the high standards that this business has maintained since first opening its doors in 1980. What this means is that when you contact us for water softeners, iron treatment or water filtration, you can rest assured that you will receive a superior water treatment service that won’t be surpassed for price, quality or convenience.
Why Do You Need Professionals for Water Softener Installation?
Installing water softeners involves a lot of prep and detailed work. When done well, your system will work efficiently, integrate seamlessly with your plumbing, and sufficiently meet your water needs. We bring expertise to the process, sizing, configuring, and calibrating your system correctly to ensure long-term performance.
We provide residential and commercial water softener solutions. Our installation process involves detailed planning, such as assessing water usage, calculating demand, and coordinating with existing systems and components to ensure uninterrupted water flow.
How Do Professionals Install Water Softeners?
Here’s the process we go through to install your water softener:
- We conduct a site inspection to determine the best location for the water softener.
- We secure and level the unit to prevent movement or leaks over time.
- We inspect the system post-installation for any minor adjustments.
- We recommend ideal maintenance schedules.
What Makes Us Different?
At Salt of the Earth Inc. we know that there are other water treatment companies in the area, however we firmly believe that our service is the best, and honestly, we don’t say this lightly. As a family-run business that has always operated in the local area, you can rest assured that when we say we will go the extra mile for you, we really mean it.
Salt of the Earth Inc. originally started out as a business that exclusively sold salt for feed and agricultural purposes along with residential salt for softeners. In the intervening years, Salt of the Earth has grown to include commercial and residential salt services, bulk and bags, as well as sales and superior maintenance and upkeep service for wide a variety of water treatment systems.
Having started the business back in 1980, George is currently happy and content in retirement. However, the business has remained a family affair with his sons, Jake and Kris, who’ve worked in the family business as long as they can remember, and are currently the sole owners and operators of Salt of the Earth Inc.
We firmly believe that the family-owned nature of our water treatment business allows us to respond to the needs of our commercial and residential customers in a quicker and more effective fashion than many of our larger competitors.
What’s the Difference Between Hard Water and Soft Water?
Hard water contains high levels of minerals, which can lead to scale buildup in pipes, reduce the effectiveness of soap, and leave spots on your dishes and glassware. It can also cause damage to appliances like washing machines, increasing energy costs and shortening their lifespan.
Hard water forms as water travels through underground layers of rock and soil, particularly those rich in minerals like limestone, chalk, or gypsum. As the water flows, it picks up calcium and magnesium from these rocks, carrying the minerals along.
Soft water, on the other hand, is free of these excess minerals, making it gentler on your plumbing and appliances. It allows soaps and detergents to lather more effectively, leaving your skin, hair, and laundry feeling cleaner and softer. This saves you on maintenance and energy costs.
How Does Soft Water Prevent Scale Buildup?
Scale buildup can affect your pipes, faucets, water heaters, and appliances, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. Basically, when hard water flows through your plumbing, the calcium and magnesium minerals it contains settle as solid deposits, forming scale. This narrows pipes and damages equipment.
Soft water contains little to no calcium and magnesium because these minerals are removed during the water softening process. Without these minerals, soft water doesn’t leave behind solid deposits as it flows through your plumbing. As a result, pipes and appliances remain free of scale, allowing them to function more efficiently and last longer. Additionally, soft water can dissolve some existing scale over time, further reducing the risk of clogs and damage.
How Do Water Softeners Work?
Water softeners remove calcium and magnesium, the minerals that cause hard water, through a process called ion exchange. Inside the softener’s mineral tank, hard water passes through resin beads that are charged with sodium or potassium ions. As the water flows, the resin beads attract and hold the hard water minerals, replacing them with the softer ions.
The system periodically regenerates to flush out the accumulated minerals and recharge the resin beads. This is done using a brine solution stored in a separate tank. During regeneration, the brine flows through the resin, dislodging the minerals and sending them to the drain while replenishing the beads with fresh sodium or potassium ions.
What Are the Different Parts of a Water Softener System?
A water softener system consists of several key components. When we install your system, we ensure each part is properly set up to work together, delivering reliable and efficient water treatment.
Here are the components:
- A mineral tank: This is where the hard water minerals are removed through ion exchange.
- A brine tank: This holds the salt or potassium solution used to regenerate the system and recharge the resin.
Additional parts may be installed to increase functionality.
For example, you may opt for a filter designed to remove iron, manganese, sediment, and hydrogen sulfide from the water, as well as correct pH levels and eliminate odors, all without using chemicals.
Another supplementary component includes metering through a high-efficiency controller that manages your water softener’s regeneration cycles based on actual water usage. Optimizing regeneration timing reduces waste and ensures consistent soft water.
How Often Do You Need To Replenish Water Softener Salt?
Softener salt must be regularly added to your water softener’s brine tank. The salt isn’t used directly in your water; instead, it helps regenerate the resin beads inside the softener. Without it, the system can’t properly regenerate.
How often you need to replenish the salt depends on your water usage, the hardness of your water, and the size of your softener. On average, most households need to check salt levels monthly and refill it every 4 to 6 weeks.
Benefits of Water Softeners for Your Home or Business
At Salt of the Earth Inc., we are proud of the water softener systems and service we provide homes and businesses of all shapes and sizes.
With that in mind, here are five benefits of softened water:
- Cleaner and shinier silverware, glassware, mirrors, tiles, cars or any type of plumbing fixtures and fittings.
- Softer skin and clean smooth hair.
- Reduced soap curd which makes cleaning easier and reduces housework.
- Less need for excessive amounts of soap or shampoo because of the rich lather that softened water helps form.
- Saves money on monthly energy costs as well as damages to appliances.
How Do You Size a Water Softener?
An undersized water softener won’t effectively remove minerals since the resin beads inside the system can only hold a specific amount of minerals before needing regeneration. If the system’s capacity is too small for your water usage, the resin beads will reach their saturation point too quickly.
Take, for instance, large facilities like hospitals, which have high water usage and varying demand across areas like patient rooms, kitchens, and laundry facilities. A small water softener would quickly become overwhelmed, leading to insufficient softening and frequent regeneration cycles, which could disrupt operations and increase maintenance costs.
An oversized water softener may seem like a safe choice to ensure sufficient capacity, but it can lead to inefficiencies and potential drawbacks. A water softener that’s too large may not regenerate frequently enough, causing the resin beads to become less effective over time. This infrequent regeneration can also promote bacteria and biofilm buildup, potentially compromising water quality.
Larger systems come with higher upfront costs and require more space, which may be unnecessary for smaller households. Additionally, they use significant amounts of salt and water during each regeneration cycle, leading to waste and higher maintenance costs.
To properly size a water softener, we’ll calculate your household or facility’s daily water usage and the hardness level of your water, accounting for peak demand times. This allows for the selection of a sufficient softener, ensuring efficient and consistent performance.
Consult us to determine the right size for your needs.
Call Salt of the Earth, Inc. Today
If you feel that your home or business could benefit from our superior water softener service, then you need to contact us right away. We promise you won’t regret it.
Looking for a water softener? Contact us at (509) 922-0269.