Hard Water Filter Options for Your Home
A hard water filter system can take many forms that all have pros and cons to them. We’ll explore some of these options offered by Shaw Plumbing Services to help you choose which one is right for your Spokane home, business, rental, or investment property.
Spokane has hard tap water
If you have lived in Spokane for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that the water leaves hard water marks on glass and appliances. That’s because the water in Spokane has high mineral content and high alkalinity. I had Meike from Shaw Plumbing Services come out to my home and test the water which came back as very hard. This came as no surprise since we have battled hard water issues since day one in our Spokane home. This has had a major impact on our appliances’ longevity and incessantly deposits hard water spots on glass ware and in bathrooms. Our house currently has an aging archaic water softener from the middle of the last century in our basement.
According to the city the mineral content ion Spokane’s water is 147 part per million which makes moderately to very alkaline. I tested mine with a home water meter and came up with different number at different times of day. The main mineral constituents are calcium and magnesium deposited by glacial lake Missoula. Our water also contains calcium carbonate which makes it difficult to wash dishes and have them come out clear. Some studies show that higher alkalinity water is good for health leading to decreased instances of heart disease and other chronic health problems, although causal evidence is still unclear. There is also evidence that neutral to slightly acidic water is better for your skin preserving your skin’s natural acid mantel. One thing is for sure, hard water can wreak havoc on your home appliances. Dishwashers, water heaters, washing machines, and anything else that runs water through it.
Hard water filter options
If you want to extend the life of your appliances and you want your dishes, clothes, and skin to come out of the wash looking and feeling clean, you need to soften that hard water. Fortunately, Shaw Plumbing services has many options to fit your budget and needs. Let’s take a deeper dive into what’s out there to combat hard water.
Water Softener and Filter
Traditional systems have come a long way from the old bulky multipart systems like the ones found in older Spokane homes. The 2 in 1 water softening system with carbon filter installed by Shaw Plumbing Services is top of the line with tons of amazing features, plus a carbon filter that leaves your water clean tasting and removes chlorine compounds. This system uses salt ion exchange to remove minerals and replaces them with sodium ions. The process is natural and gentle and provides soft and clean tasting water for your entire home. The system is also fitted with Wi-Fi technology which notifies you know when to refill the salt, and even allows you to shut off your water remotely if needed. Additionally, this unit has a self-cleaning filter so there is no need to change out the filter. It’s a compact unit that easily fits into a medium space like a closet or corner. The 2 in 1 system is truly the best option hands down because the unit softens and filters water, making it not only good for your appliances but great taste for drinking. There’s no question about it, this kind of system will remove the most minerals and sediment from your water.
Water Conditioner with Filter
The 2 in one water conditioner and filter installed by Shaw Plumbing Services is a salt-free anti scale system. Utilizing a media filtration system which reduces scale and hard water build up in your home. This system is very small and fits under most sinks. The system also includes a carbon filter, so the water comes out clean and fresh tasting. The manufacturer’s technical data says that it improves water heater efficiency by 29% and lifespan by 50%. It has a small filter that needs to be changed roughly every six months. Although this unit does do a great job you will have to change the filter every 6 months and it does not filter out as much of the mineral content as the softener and filter combo.
Activflow Whole House Water Conditioner
This is a unique system offered by Shaw Plumbing Services that is a stand alone no-salt hard water conditioner system. The Activflow system uses a catalytic action as water flows through it to form an insoluble calcium Argonne ion. It has the advantage of needing no salt and no filter and has a 15 year, no maintenance, lifespan. These features make it great for an investment property or rental. This system does, however, only condition the water to reduce scale and lime buildup. This kind of system won’t remove as much scale and hard water minerals as either of the other two systems. This system is also the least expensive of the systems we covered. It’s also worth noting that this system is specifically designed for limescale buildup, which is primarily calcium carbonate, as well as lesser concentration of magnesium, manganese, and iron salts. This kind of system will not likely help with some other mineral and sediments like silicates which occur both south of Spokane and in the west plains and airway heights area.
Which Hard Water Filtration System is Best for Your Spokane Area Home or Property?
If you’re wondering which hard water filter system is best for your home, business, rental, or investment property in the Spokane area, that all depends on your situation. The lowest maintenance and least expensive options are also the least effective at removing limescale and chlorine and other minerals from your water. If you are living in your home and you have the room available, you should really consider installing a water softener and filter system that provides the best quality, cleanest, and softest water for your home. In contrast if you have a rental property and you want to extend the lifespan of your appliances with very little maintenance the Activflow system might be the best fit for you.
No matter what system you choose you can always call Shaw Plumbing Services (509-954-5273) for a free quote and speak to one of our knowledgeable plumbers to help you pick the right hard water filter system and install it in your home or business.
