Hard water is a natually common problem in the United States that occurs because of high levels of dissolved ions specifically calcium, magnesium, and iron. These particles are found normally in the Earth’s soil and have varying concentrations depending on the composition of the soil in different geografic areas of the country. As water falls from the sky and travels through the ground, it collects several particles that it then carries to water collection facilities that answer for ensuring the safety of the water before it is pumped to residential neighborhoods. Because hardness causing ions do not pose significant health risks to humans, most treatment facilities are not required to remove them.
Homeowners who live in locations of the US that encounter varying degrees of hard water often have some common challenges in their home including decreased lather and effectiveness of soaps and detergents, scale deposits on bathroom fixtures and the bottom of pots, damaged appliances, clogged pipes, and an accumulation of soap byproducts on the skin that can cause dryness and itchiness. The level of irritation that is caused by these issues is usually related to the severity of hardness in the water. Individuals who experience minor amounts of hardness may not be inclined to pursue a solution while those who have a severe hard water problem often seek the advice of water softening experts.
There are numerous softening products currently being sold in the US that usually claim to soften water using a variety of techniques. These broadest classifications for softeners include salt-based systems and salt-free systems. Products that use salt have the capacity to remove the calcium and magnesium ions from the water completely and discharge them in the wastewater system before the softened water enters the main plumbing network in the home. Softeners that do not use salt are supposed by researchers to be better for the environment and may utilize a variety of techniques for modifying the structure of hardness causing ions so that they are unable to precipitate from the water and create troublesome scale deposits.
Since salt-based softening systems tend to be much more effective than salt-free alternatives, the majority of the installers in the US suggest using these products rather than try to alter the structure of the ions. A brand that has been around for a great number of years and also focuses on salt-based systems is named Fleck and is commonly used by both professionals and individual homeowners alike. The three models that are most popular from the Fleck line of products include the basic 5600 model, 5600 SXT model, and the 7000 SXT model. Each product will work to remove many of the particles that can cause hardness from the water, but the systems vary in terms of their computer automation and the amount of manual labor required to keep them operating in an effective manner.
The basic 5600 Fleck water softener model has a manual control dial that allows the user to set an exact time of day for the regeneration process. This is required to remove the calcium and magnesium ions on the resin bed from the system. Newer models of the 5600 line of products are able to keep time during a power outage and may utilize either a manual or automated regeneration control system. The 7000 SXT Fleck water softener has higher flow rates along with an additional cycle that may be controlled using the computerized timing system. Details about how you can install and program each product are provided in the user manual that accompanies the purchase of the product from a licensed dealer.
While there are several other effective salt-based water softener brands available, Fleck has become a well-respected and widely used company as a result of their reliability and the fact that they have more than 50 years of experience in the industry. Even though homeowners do sometimes choose to purchase and install a system by themselves, it is generally recommended that a professional installer be contacted to perform the job since many manufacturer warranties may become void unless installed by a certified professional. Moreover, these people have unique insight into the process and can provide valuable support throughout the years just in case problems arise.