Problems with water softeners

Unfortunately the great advantages produced by softeners may be accompanied by certain problem issues. After a water softener completes its cycle the hardness minerals removed from the water have to be washed out off of the ion exchange resin in order for it to be ready for its next cycle of operation. This process is done by exchanging the minerals for sodium. During this return procedure a small amount of sodium chloride is released into the environment where some claim it may have a negative impact.

Problems related to plumbing arise commonly in water softening systems. The bigger water softening systems generally create problems in the performance of the plumbing system but small water softening systems can restricted water flow. Hard water from small water softening systems could leak and enter the plumbing system of your house. Heavy metals drain by the piping from softened water might create problems for the plumbing system as a whole.

People with health problems generally avoid the use of water that contains salts. Presence of sodium in water could be harmful for their health. There are chances of occurrence of heart problems and hypertension in such people. To avoid this problem, one could think of using a bypass pipe. The pipe would provide cooking and drinking water which is not treated with sodium. There is also the expensive option of using potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride for filtering.

Many little problems like corrosion of pipes and replacement of salt may occur in a water softening system but the two major problems are performance and health issues. Even though the water softening system is more of a help than a problem some communities have severely regulated or even banned the use of water softeners all together do to its negative impact in the return cycle or the help of the community members.