Water Conditioning 101: A Homeowner's Guide

Knowing that the water you have coming from the taps in your home is good quality gives you an easy feeling when you see your child go for a glass of water or even when you slip your hands into the dishwater. The fact is, water is a huge part of everyday life, so contaminated water can be a huge concern for the average homeowner. For this reason, there is a pretty good chance that the topic of water conditioning will come up at some point. Take a look at these common homeowner questions about water conditioning treatment and the answers you should know. 

What exactly is water conditioning?

In general, water conditioning refers to the process of altering the state of the water's composition. Through this process, mineral content may be changed or reduced, chemicals may be eliminated, and the purity of the water is changed. Because water can have so many contaminants inside, this is a major concern for homeowners. By working with a water treatment specialist, you can find out if the water in your home is properly conditioned or if it will need a system installed so your water tastes better and is healthier for you, your family, and your home. 

How is conditioning water different than softening water?

Water conditioning and softening systems are often assumed to be the same thing, but in reality, they are different types of systems with different functions. Water conditioning systems change molecular structures of mineral contaminants like calcium, but water conditioning systems are more geared toward eliminating chemical contaminants, such as ammonia and chlorine. Water softening systems will not do much for chemical contaminants and eliminating them, but will usually do a great job of eliminating high levels of minerals. In some cases, both types of systems are installed concurrently if there are both chemical and mineral concerns in the water supply leading into the home. 

If you have a well, should you have a conditioning system installed?

This is up to you and reliant on the quality of the water that comes from your well. Most of the time, mineral composites are a bigger concern in groundwater than chemical properties. Therefore, a water treatment specialist may recommend you have a softening system installed instead of a water conditioning system. However, having a water conditioning treatment system installed can ensure that your well water quality is always at its best. To learn more, contact a company like Osby Water Services Co.