There are lots of different types of whole house filters available, and they will all work in different ways.
There are lots of different features and other things to be aware of, which can make it difficult to know what you need for your own home.
Water filters and water softeners are two very different things, and this is something we are going to look at in this article.
You might not always need both of these things, and in some cases, one or the other will suffice. In other cases, you might find that you need a whole house filter and a water softener to provide you with the best quality water.
We are going to look at whether or not your whole house filter needs a softener. Read on below to give you a better understanding of what you need.
What Does a Water Filter Do?
A water filter can use many different water purification techniques to be able to treat things like water contamination and remove impurities, like lead and pesticides, from your drinking water at home.
Some of the most common methods for removing water contaminants from your home drinking water supply are activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and sediment filtration.
You can either get a water filter system that is fitted underneath the kitchen sink and purifies the water that comes straight out of the tap, or you can buy separate counter-top filters.
Depending on the type of filter that you are using, the contaminants will be trapped and then either removed through the system cleansing process or contained in a cartridge membrane that will need to be replaced over time.
What Does a Water Softener Do?
A water softener is much different from a water filter, and it will work to treat hard water by using salt and ion-exchange resins to remove calcium and magnesium hardness from the water.
The resins that are used are coated in a sodium solution, and when hard water comes into contact with the resin beads, the calcium and magnesium ions will migrate out of the solution. They will then be replaced in the solution by sodium ions.
There are many different benefits of using a water softener, including a better soap lather, no more water spots, and no damage being caused to things like household pipes and household appliances.
You can also get water softeners that are free from salt and these are perfect for people that do not want to add salt to their drinking water.
These systems typically use an advanced ceramic media that effectively attracts and neutralizes hard water scaling properties. These systems are typically more eco-friendly due to the fact that they do not require rinse water and electricity.
They are also much easier to maintain, and they are 100% salt-free, which makes them a much more natural and healthy water softening alternative. They don’t require much maintenance to keep them running, and they contain no added sodium.
Do I Need a Water Filter or a Water Softener?
The decision of whether or not you need a water softener or a water filter will depend on the problems that you are having with your water at home.
If you are facing issues with things like limescale, then it is probably likely that a water softener will be the best solution for you. It will ensure that everything remains working as it should, and that no damage is being caused to your household appliances.
Another issue with hard water is that boilers can often break down, and this is something that you can avoid with a water softener.
If you are concerned about the smell or taste of your water at home, or there are contaminants present in it, like lead and pesticides, then you should probably invest in a whole house water filter. This will ensure that the water you are drinking is high-quality and safe for you and your household to drink.
Sometimes, the best thing for this problem is to install a whole house water filtration system, as this will clean all of the water that is supplied to your home.
Does a Whole House Filter Need a Water Softener?
A whole house water filter does not always need a water softener, as there are different types available.
If you need one, then you can get whole-house water solutions that will offer both a softener and a filtration system, and this will be able to provide you with softer water that is safe and free from contaminants. This water will come from all of the taps in your home and improve the overall quality of your water.
However, not everyone will need both of these things, and they are only really needed for people that have both hard and contaminated water. Otherwise, one or the other will be suitable for your needs.
If you are looking for water that is free from contaminants, then you need a water filter to help provide this for you. If you want softer water, then you should get a water softener. Ultimately, the water solution that you get will depend on your household needs.
If you are unsure what type of system you need, then we recommend that you get your water tested, so you can find out. The result will tell you exactly what is wrong with your water source, so you can use this information to find a solution.
How to Tell If You Have Hard Water
Most of the time, it is really easy to tell when you have hard water in your home. One of the ways that you will be able to tell is if you have off-white deposits on your taps, sink, bath, or sanitary ware.
Other signs that you have hard water are if you have dry and brittle hair, dry skin, and bad soap lathering.
Some more serious issues that can arise from having hard water in your home are application malfunctions and boiler breakdown. You may also notice energy insufficiency due to a build-up of limescale inside your appliances.
If you have hard water, then a water softener can help.