Water Purifiers, Softeners and Filters: Pros and Cons

Are you trying to decide between water purifiers, water softeners, and water filters for your home? Tap water quality varies greatly depending on where you live, and having a clean water supply for showering, cooking, and cleaning is very important. For people who aren’t satisfied with the quality of their tap water, and for those who want to prevent scale build-up, remove bacteria and other contaminants, and avoid corrosion, there are several water treatment options. Each water treatment system comes with its own pros and cons, which we explore in more detail below.

The Right Water System For You

Water Purifiers: These systems remove potentially harmful organisms and toxic metals from your water. They may not, however, remove all traces of pesticides and water purifiers require regular maintenance. They can also be costly to set up, making them a less attractive option for homeowners. 

Water Softeners: These systems remove minerals like calcium and magnesium from your water supply, resulting in better quality water for bathing, laundry, and cleaning. Soft water doesn’t require as much soap or detergent, and it also results in less scale build-up. However, you shouldn’t drink or cook with water from a water softener because they don’t remove lead and other metals, or the chlorine taste that can sometimes be present in water supplies.

Water Filters: These systems remove contaminants like arsenic and bacteria from your water supply, meaning you can cook with and drink filtered water. Water filters also remove the taste and odor of chlorine, and they’re very cost-efficient. Conversely, water filters reduce the flow rate of your water and the filtration systems require regular maintenance. 

How Do Water Purifiers and Softeners Work?

Water purifiers take in raw water, remove any contaminants, viruses and bacteria, then dispense the clean water to your home. They’re a good choice if you live in an area with an untreated water supply, or if you’re concerned about the quality of your tap water. Water softeners draw water into a tank, then use a process called ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium from the water before dispensing it. 

For more information about water purifiers, water softeners, and water filters, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Originally posted https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/water-purifiers-softeners-and-filters/