Water Treatment – Wait, what?
You probably know that in much of the world, water needs to be treated before you can drink it. Fortunately Calgary is mostly untouched by that kind of water reality – our spring flood excepted. But there are a few things to think about when you’re thinking about water, even here.
Calgary’s Water Hardness
For instance, did you know that the water here in Calgary is “hard”? Up to four times harder than recommended depending on where you live. That hard water has real budget implications – it can shorten the lifespan of major appliances by one-third to one-half. While some high-end dishwashers do have a softening capability built in, washing machines don’t and anyone who’s perused the appliance aisle at Home Depot lately knows that you can’t pay for a good washing machine with the change you fish out of the couch. Hard water can also reduce water flow through your home’s pipes leading to trickle-y shower heads and wimpy bathroom faucets.
Water Softeners
The solution? A water softener. There are several models and configurations to choose from and of course, your friends at Instant Plumbing can always be counted on to help you make the right choice for your home and lifestyle. “There’s really no down side,” says George Pinel, Instant Plumbing’s owner/operator with over 40 years of experience. “It’s more important to treat hot water than cold as the heat sets up a reaction that builds that hard water scale you’ve probably seen on shower heads. Unfortunately, it also builds up in hot water tanks and on humidifier filters. It’s important to treat the water to avoid the calcium deposits that can lead to costly repairs down the road.”
By adding a couple of bags of softener salt to your water softener tank each month, you can prolong the life of your clothes, save wear-and-tear on your appliances, keep those faucets gushing and enjoy great sudsy showers. Average costs run between $1600 and $2600 depending on the piping required. Get in touch for more information!
