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No. A properly functioning water softener will never make your water taste salty. The small amount of sodium added to the water will never create a salty taste.

Hard water usually manifests itself in several ways. It leaves white residue behind wherever water evaporates. When hardness reacts with soaps and detergents, it leaves a sticky soap scum behind, and in hot water heating systems it leaves behind a hard scale.

A water softener works through a process known as “ion exchange,” which means that as it removes calcium and magnesium (elements that make water “hard”), it replaces those ions on a one for one basis, usually with sodium. This means that the amount of sodium added to the water is directly proportional to how hard your water is. In most instances the amount being added is so small that it is not a significant contributor to the amount of sodium in your diet.

Yes, if your hard water has been building up scale in your appliances, once you install a softener it will begin to remove that built-up scale. It will take a long time to remove it, but it will remove it.

Unfortunately, no. A water softener is designed to remove hardness (calcium and magnesium) from water. They can sometimes remove a limited amount of iron and manganese if you happen to have these problems as well. But if you are looking for great water for drinking and cooking, you should probably consider a reverse osmosis system for that purpose.

Other than salt or potassium chloride, there are no other chemicals that a water softener uses. On the contrary, using a water softener reduces the amount of cleaning supplies and detergents that you need to put down the drain trying to keep your home and family clean. Using a water softener is very environmentally friendly.

Once a softener is installed, it will begin to soften your water immediately, However, if you have a tank-type hot water heater, it may take a few days to use up that hard water, until you feel the full effects of soft water.

Most good softeners today, recharge based on how many gallons of water you use, and how hard your water is to start with. However, most of our customers today are adding salt once or twice a year, on average.

There are a variety of factors that would inform this decision. It would be based on the size of your water softener, how hard your water is, and how much water is being used in your household. Generally, you won’t go more than a few months without adding salt to the tank. Culligan not only can deliver your salt, but service your softener with scheduled maintenance.

Culligan understands and follows all state and local plumbing codes and regulations provided by the UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) for water softener installation and maintenance. This includes understanding requirements for venting, drainage, and backflow prevention.

Water softeners require additional water for regenerative purposes, but are rarely known to cause issues in septic systems if an expert handles the installation. Culligan experts understand septic system capacity and its relationship with water softening systems better than other third-party installers and general plumbers. We also use septic-safe softener cleaners only.

Hard water can cause dry skin if you have sensitivity to such issues. Calcium and magnesium are examples of mineral that can leave a film on your body and prevent your shower products such as soap and shampoo to get through the surface. Studies have also shown areas with hard water are more likely to have children with eczema.

Since a site inspection and water test is required, Culligan Water Softener installation is a little different than buying a softener online and asking a plumber to install it. This work on the front end helps mitigate issues down the road. The installation process usually only takes a day or two depending on work needing done on drain lines, your water supply, and electrical connections. Your Culligan expert will always test the softener after installation to ensure it’s working properly.

After site inspection and water analysis, your Culligan expert will help pick which softener is right for you based on your budget and home needs.

*World’s Most Efficient Water Softener based on HE Softener when configured with proportional up flow brining with Aqua-Sensor®

**Water Quality Research Foundation/Scientific Services S/O Inc.