FAQ

The elements found in well water can vary, so the simple answer is that not all well water is the same. This is true among wells that are within close proximity to each other. Common well water issues can include sediment, dirt, hardness, bacteria, and iron. It is required to have your well water tested before the proper water treatment option can be determined.

That “rotten egg” odor in your water is caused primarily by hydrogen sulfide, which can be created by decaying organic matter, some types of bacteria, and petroleum refining. If you notice that the rotten egg smell is only present in your hot water, it could be the result of a deteriorated anode on a water heater system.

Municipal water treatment facilities often use chlorine to treat water. It can be detectable in tap water due to its taste and smell. While chlorine is effective at removing dangerous bacteria from the water supply, it can objectionably affect drinking water and irritate eyes and skin when used for bathing and showering. The chlorine has already done its job by the time the water reaches your faucet, so we can safely filter it out before you take a drink or fill the tub.

Iron is the main culprit of rust stains in your sinks and toilets. Though it may not be noticeable to the naked eye, iron can be present in your water supply. Iron oxidizes once it is exposed to air, leaving rust-colored stains on clothing, showers, sinks, and fixtures. With proper filtration, iron can be removed from your water, keeping your home free of unwanted stains.

The answer depends on the type of iron you have in your water. There are three different types of iron water – ferric, ferrous, and iron bacteria. We will need to evaluate the kind of iron in your water before diagnosing what steps are required to solve your iron issues. You can rest assured that our team will find a viable solution.

Hard water can lead to mineral build-up in plumbing and water-using appliances, affecting water pressure and appliance efficiency. In your washing machines and dishwashers, the build-up can create the need to repair or replace these items more frequently. In some homes, the flow of running water can be reduced to the size of a ballpoint pen head!

When hard water forms build-up in appliances, such as your water heater, it can require as much as 33% more fuel to heat the water. The reason is that additional energy is required to heat the hard water scales before it can heat your water. Since soft water eliminates these scale issues, the result should be lower energy costs.

When using soft water in the tub or shower, it can seem like your soap and shampoo have not completely rinsed off your skin or hair. This sensation is caused by the fact that there is no dissolved rock in your water. The soft water’s natural moisturizing agents can do their job and thoroughly clean your skin and hair. Conversely, this is why hard water can cause skin pores to clog with soap residue, leaving skin dull and hair feeling dry. The first few times you shower or bathe with soft water, you’ll likely experience this “slippery” sensation.

Soft water has many benefits over hard water:

• Less hard water build-up on fixtures and appliances
• Clothes laundered in soft water often wear better and can last longer
• No more dingy grays caused by hard water on your white fabrics
• Cleaner and shinier silverware, dishes, and glassware
• Soap and shampoo are more effective
• Organic, chemical-free healthy soaps and laundry products perform better
• Hair and skin feel softer and cleaner
• Dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers can last longer

The water softener has resin beads that remove calcium and magnesium in hard water as it flows through the system. Hardness ions in the water are replaced with the soft ions of the resin beads in an exchange process to create the soft water.

Once the beads become coated with the calcium and magnesium ions, their ability to soften hard water decreases. Regeneration is a process where water is flushed through the softener with a concentrated amount of regenerant. Resin beads exchange the soft ions from the regenerant for the hard ions. The dirt and sediment filter sends dissolved dirt, rock, and sediment down the drain. Following the restoration of the resin beads, the water softener goes back to work, providing the entire home with soft, clean water once again!

Magnetic or electronic devices (known as “descalers” in the water treatment industry) are available on the residential market. They are not actual water softeners, because they do not remove hardness from the water. They can be useful for preventing scale and mineral build-up in pipes and appliances, but they do not provide softened water or its many benefits.

As the only household appliance that can actually reduce costs, a water softener can reduce water-heating bills significantly. Soft water also helps you use less detergent and soap, saving you money on cleaning as well.

Studies done in the 1970s at the University of Wisconsin concluded that salt-brine discharge from water softeners had no ill effects on the operation of typical anaerobic or newer-style aerobic home treatment systems. It was also confirmed that water softener regeneration discharge did not hurt drain field soil percolation, and in some cases, could improve soil percolation. Septic tank effluents containing water softener effluents include substantial amounts of calcium and magnesium, which balance the effect of sodium, in addition to promoting and sustaining soil permeability. According to the study results, it is preferable to discharge water softener waste to septic systems than to separate dry wells or ditches. You can learn more at www.wqa.org.

No. Competitors can’t offer the same guarantees as Westinghouse does because their products do not match the quality of Westinghouse systems. We will gladly help you find the right Westinghouse option for your home.

Yes. All Westinghouse products are made in America.

It is best to have well water tested for hardness, iron, and pH. City water should be checked for hardness, pH, and chlorine. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home water test so we can identify your water problems and determine the right water solution for your home.