By Matt Naylor, Licensed Master Plumber at Beehive Plumbing
When it comes to the water in Utah, one thing stands out above all else—it’s hard. In fact, Utah’s water is twice as hard as the national average.
This means our water in Utah is full of minerals like calcium and magnesium. While that might not sound like a big deal, over time, these minerals can cause serious damage to your plumbing system, appliances, and fixtures.
That’s where water softeners come in. Installing a water softener in your home isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessary investment in your plumbing health.
Why Utah’s Hard Water is a Problem
Hard water leaves its mark on everything it touches. Signs of hard water include the white crust you notice on your faucets. Soap scum in your shower, or the spots on your dishes after washing, these are all signs that hard water is making life harder on your home.
The real damage, though, is happening where you can’t see it—in your plumbing system and appliances.
The minerals in hard water accumulate over time, forming a scale that clogs pipes. This reduces the efficiency of appliances, and shortens the lifespan of everything from your water heater to your washing machine.
One of the first signs that hard water is taking a toll on your home is when your faucets start to drip or become difficult to turn on and off.
This is because the minerals from the water are building up inside the fixtures, causing them to wear out faster than they should. Over time, these deposits clog up your pipes, forcing your plumbing system to work harder.
When your plumbing system works harder, that leads to more frequent repairs and replacements.
How Water Softeners Protect Your Plumbing
A water softener works by removing those hard water minerals before they can cause damage.
It’s a filtration system that replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium or potassium, leaving your water soft and much easier on your plumbing system.
Without a water softener, you’ll notice that your water heater and other appliances become less efficient. This is because they fill with sediment.
One of the most common reasons water heaters fail is because of this sediment or mineral buildup. Over time, the sediment forces the water heater to work harder to heat the water, which can cause it to overheat and eventually crack.
This is why you might notice that your hot water doesn’t last as long as it used to—sediment buildup is reducing your water heater’s efficiency.
With a water softener, you’re removing these minerals before they enter your plumbing system, extending the life of your water heater and other appliances.
This can mean the difference between needing frequent repairs and enjoying a worry-free plumbing system for years to come.
The Benefits of Water Softeners for Your Home
Beyond protecting your plumbing, water softeners provide a range of other benefits for your home and family.
Here are just a few:
- Longer Life for Appliances: Everything from your dishwasher to your washing machine will last longer when it’s not being clogged up by mineral deposits.
Hard water forces these appliances to work harder, which leads to breakdowns and more frequent replacements. - Cleaner Dishes and Laundry: Soft water helps soap and detergent work more effectively. With hard water, much of your soap gets used up just trying to clean the water itself.
With soft water, you’ll need less soap and detergent, and your dishes and laundry will come out cleaner. - Better Skin and Hair Health: Hard water can leave your skin feeling dry and your hair feeling sticky. Many people find that switching to soft water makes their skin and hair feel softer and healthier.
That “slimy” feeling people often notice with soft water is actually just what clean skin feels like without the mineral buildup from hard water. - Preventing Scale Buildup: The unsightly white or blue crust you see around faucets and showerheads is caused by hard water minerals.
With a water softener, you’ll reduce or eliminate this buildup, keeping your fixtures looking clean and working well. - Extended Warranty on Tankless Water Heaters: Tankless water heaters are particularly sensitive to hard water. In fact, many manufacturers will double the warranty on a tankless water heater if you install a water softener.
Without one, the minerals can build up inside the system, reducing its efficiency and lifespan.
Tankless Water Heaters and Water Softeners
If you have a tankless water heater—or are thinking about installing one—a water softener is a must. Tankless units are great for saving space and providing instant hot water, but they’re highly sensitive to hard water.
Because they don’t have a tank where minerals can settle out, the scale builds up more quickly inside the unit.
When you combine a tankless water heater with a water softener, you’re essentially doubling the lifespan of the unit.
Many manufacturers will extend the warranty from 10 years to 25 years if you have a water softener installed, because they know that soft water protects their equipment from damage.
Why Invest in a Water Softener?
Installing a water softener is one of the best things you can do to protect your home’s plumbing and appliances. In a state like Utah, where the water is extremely hard, a softener will save you money in the long run by reducing the need for repairs and replacements.
It’s more than just an upgrade; it’s a long-term investment in the health of your home’s plumbing system. By preventing scale buildup, you’ll enjoy longer-lasting appliances, cleaner dishes, softer skin, and more efficient hot water—while avoiding the headaches and costs of constant repairs.
