If you know anything about water softeners, then you would know that the main agent used in it is salt for softening water. So, how do you know which salt is best for your water softener system? Here is an easy guide just for that.
Why Does Salt Type Matter?
Salt-based water softeners are the most common types of water softeners used in houses. The main agent is salt which participates in the ion exchange process and it swaps out the hardness-causing ions for neutral ions.
Salt-based water softeners need to be regenerated by adding salt and getting rid of the briny sludge. This is why adding salt is a must. But you can add any salt to it, right? Well, not actually. There are a lot of things that you need to keep in mind when you’re opting for salt for your water softener.
You can’t just go with any type of salt. The type of salt you use will determine the performance of the water as well as how well the water is softened. So, choosing the right salt is crucial.
Here are some of the factors that salt selection can affect:
Water Quality
The water quality matters the most. The type of salt you use will determine the result of the water and how well it has been softened, so you need to choose a salt type wisely. Some salts won’t remove the hardness-causing ions perfectly and you need to ensure that you’re getting one that removes everything.
Reduction Of Hardness
Hard water is the reason why you’re getting a water softener in the first place. It is very important to figure out why you need a water softener because it will soften the water as per your needs. This is where salt plays an important role too.
You need to choose a salt type that removes all of the hardness-causing ions because at the end of the day, you want the completely hard water to be usable around the house and that’s only possible through a water softener and the salt you put in it.
No Salty Aftertaste
You want to ensure that there is little or a very subtle salty aftertaste. A lot of the time, people complain that the water after it’s been softened, has a very salty and bitter taste. While it is normal for the salt to impart some flavor to the water, it’s not completely bitter and it all boils down to what salt you use in the softener in the first place.
If you’re using a salt that dissolves super-fast and doesn’t get rid of the hardness, then it will make your water very salty. So, you need to choose a salt type that is moderate in dissolution and it gets the job done for you. You can also use a water filtration system Erie to remove weird tastes or color of the water if you’re dealing with any.
Which Types Of Salt Are Used For Water Softeners?
Now that you know how the types of salt can alter the performance of the water softener, here are some of the best types of salt that you can use for the water softener, including a sodium chloride alternative as well. Once you know what each salt is used for, then you can make a decision that will tackle the hardness of water head-on.
Sodium Chloride
First is the good old sodium chloride, also known as table salt. This salt is the most commonly used salt in salt-based water softeners and it’s amazing. Usually, the salt types are different crystallized forms of sodium chloride with few additions in between, but the core is pretty much the same.
Sodium chloride dissolves into the hard water, displacing sodium and chloride ions and they get replaced by the calcium and magnesium ions of hard water and this is essentially known as an ion exchange process. The hardness is no more and you have softened water for use.
Potassium Chloride
Potassium chloride is a sodium chloride alternative. If you are someone who suffers from hypertension and can’t consume table salt, then potassium chloride is a wonderful alternative that will get the ion exchange process done and it will also ensure that your sodium levels are in check.
Potassium chloride is a bit more on the expensive side because it is not as readily available as sodium chloride, but it does mirror the exact mechanism table salt does in a water softener, and the best part? It doesn’t leave any salty taste in the water either.
Solar Salt
Solar salt is the salt obtained when sea water is evaporated by sunlight. This is a very similar process to evaporation, but it is all done naturally, even though it does take a bit of time. Solar salt is in the form of pellets or crystals and it is used abundantly in water softeners.
Solar salt is amazing, but it doesn’t require any external energy sources for the process and its energy-conserving. But solar salt does have a low solubility rate, so it can cause clogging and choking of the water softener. It is used for moderately hard water.
Evaporated Salt
Evaporated salt is made by mixing bulks of salt in water and then boiling it. Once the salty water is boiled, the salt crystals are formed and they are steamed and then cooled to be separated by the water. This is essentially evaporated salt.
his salt is very flaky and crystallized in appearance and it can soften the hardest of waters within minutes. It is the purest grade of salt used in water softeners, but it is also the most expensive one from the lot. So, if you have really hard water, then you need evaporated salt.
Rock Salt
The most abundant form of salt is rock salt and it is obtained by mining from salt mines. It is in the form of pebbles and it is the most naturally pure salt that goes through little to no treatment at all.
The greatest advantage of rock salt is that it is the most affordable type of salt from the lot. It is available at rock bottom price and you can use it to soften water. Although rock salt doesn’t go through any treatment to be made pure, this is the very reason why it is not as pure and it can contain a lot of impurities, which isn’t always the best.
Block Salt
Block salt is shaped in the form of blocks and it is one of the purest and most soluble types of salt. They are used in water softeners because they don’t form salt bridges and don’t lead to sludge accumulation.
The only downside to block salt is the fact that it is very hard to handle and you need a lot of water in the brine tank to submerge the blocks of salt fully. You also need a larger water softener for this salt.
Conclusion
Water softeners (salt-based) rely on the usage of salt to give you the best results. Now you know exactly what to use. If your water softener is worn and you need replacement or you want to install a better system, consider new water softener installation Meadville.
