Does Your DC Ranch Home Need a Water Conditioner?

It’s common knowledge that Arizona’s water is some of the “hardest” in the country – in fact, on average, the minerals in our water (especially calcium and magnesium) clock in with some of the highest parts-per-million in the state. These minerals are safe to consume in your water, but the deposits get on your dishes, your shower walls and even in your clothes. If you use a tea kettle, you’ve probably noticed them in there, too. And while you can clean the deposits with simple vinegar, you might want to consider getting a water conditioner – particularly when you consider the deposits building up in your home’s plumbing, which is neither easy to clean nor cheap to replace.

Does Your DC Ranch Home Need a Water Conditioner?

An old-school water softener removes calcium and magnesium ions from water before it comes through your plumbing pipes using salt – so that means you’re taking out the pair of minerals and replacing it with sodium chloride. However, you can opt for a salt-free water conditioner instead. These salt-free water conditioners don’t actually remove the minerals; they simply alter them. They’ll reduce scale (the build-up you see on your dishes and in your pipes).

These minerals are measured in grains per gallon, or gpg. Check out the gpg of major Arizona cities’ water supplies in the table below. One grain per gallon is about 17.14 parts per million, or ppm, which means Scottsdale’s water’s mineral content is about 427.5 ppm.

What About Removing Calcium and Magnesium From Your Water – Isn’t That Unhealthy?

The calcium and magnesium deposits in hard water are inorganic minerals. That means your body can’t easily absorb them – so you’re not missing out on them if you soften your water. Adding sodium to the water can affect you, though; according to Penn State University, “the exchange of hardness minerals for sodium adds 7.5 milligrams per quart for each gpg of hardness removed.”

Does a Water Softener Purify Your Water?

Water softeners don’t purify water. Although they remove minerals and metals that cause scale, other contaminants may still be in your water (and you may still want to invest in a purifying system for your home, such as reverse osmosis filtration).

How Do You Know if You Need a Water Softener?

There’s a good chance you already know whether you need a water softener in your home – you may have white buildup on your dishes or around your drains (or anywhere else water gathers). However, you can test your water using test strips you can find at the closest home improvement store. Generally, these are the guidelines to follow when using test strips:

• 0 to 3: Doesn’t need softening
• 3 to 7: Moderately hard (this is where dishes start spotting)
• 7 to 11: Hard
• 11 to 15: Very hard
• 15+: Extremely hard

Will a Water Softener Add Value to Your Home?

A water softener is like any other upgrade you make before selling your home – you don’t always make all your money back, but it can benefit you in other ways. Sure, you’ll recoup some of the cost (but how much depends on several factors). However, the most important thing is that you can use soft water as a selling point. Buyers who are looking for a home don’t want to think about replacing pipes, dealing with hard water stains on their dishes, or using more detergent when they do laundry. Talk to your agent if you’re considering adding a water softener before you sell; it might be a good investment. (And if you’re staying in your home, you may want one for yourself.)

Are You Selling a Home in DC Ranch This Summer?

Thinking about selling your home in DC Ranch? Call us at 480-360-0281 to find out how we’ll market it to all the right buyers. If you’re also looking for a new home, we’d love show you any listing in the community. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll be happy to search for something that’s a perfect match for your needs.

While you’re here, check out our:

• Country Club Village homes for sale
• Desert Camp Village homes for sale
• Desert Parks Village homes for sale
• Silverleaf Village homes for sale

Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team
RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
866-613-8356
don@scottsdalerealestate.com