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Around 60% of the UK experiences hard or very hard water. For some, this can be problematic in and around the home, but nowhere more troublesome than in the bathroom. Yet, with the bulk of our water usage from the bathroom, a bathroom water softener can address the problem of hard water. 
Here, The Bathroom Showroom looks at the impact of hard water in the bathroom environment and asks whether your bathroom could benefit from a water softener.

What Is a Bathroom Water Softener?

A water softener in the bathroom is a piece of technology that works to remove calcium and magnesium from our water. It removes the hardness that causes mineral build-up and therefore eliminates problems from occurring.
In those hard water areas, the build-up of these two minerals can swiftly lead to limescale in the bathroom. These are the deposits some of us tend to see in the bathroom on our taps, shower heads, shower screens, and toilets. 
Though we often simply clean the limescale away and wish it away, over time, when it's left to build-up there's a possibility of it affecting and corroding the pipes. This is especially so in hard water areas. This means reduced efficiency in our bathroom and significantly reduced lifespan of our bathroom appliances.

How Does a Water Softener Work?

Water softeners generally consist of several typical components including the mineral tank, the control valve, and the brine tank. The mineral tank houses the resin, the control value counts how much water goes through and is responsible for telling the system when to regenerate, and the brine tank is where the salt goes. 
Water softeners work on what is called ion exchange. The resin in the mineral tank is filled with beads that are charged with sodium ions. As the hard minerals flow through this tank, they're attracted to these ion resin beads. As the beads grab hold of the hard minerals, they release the sodium ion. This strips the water running through here of all its hardness.

Are Water Softeners Necessary?

It’s recommended that if you live in an area with a water hardness of over 100 ppm, a water softener would be an effective solution. You might have noticed scale forming on your shower head, or you may well notice a build-up of film and scum on your shower doors and shower area. A water softener will work to remove the hardness that is causing mineral build-ups such as calcium, magnesium, and potentially iron. So, they're recommended if you're keen to remove hard water minerals that have the potential to cause damage in the bathroom, especially when it comes to those hot water appliances such as showers.

How Do I Measure the Hardness of My Water?

It’s easy to find out what the hardness of your water is by visiting the website of your local water supplier. Just by typing in your postcode, you should be able to discover the quality and typical value of your water type.

The Benefits of Water Softeners for Bathrooms

  • Allows appliances like showers to work to their full potential. With hard water build-up, you may notice that they don't perform at peak performance. Yet by reducing scale in the water system, you create a more efficient central heating boiler and therefore improved lifespan of appliances. 
  • A better overall showering and bathing experience as the water feels noticeably softer and therefore more luxurious for bathing and washing in.
  • Hair and skin are noticeably greatly improved with soft water for shower use.
  • A water softener system for shower purposes means the need to use less shampoo and conditioner, by as much as up to 50%
  • A bathroom tap water softener also reduces the use of hand soap and liquid soap by up to 50%.
  • A bathroom will look better and indeed newer for longer when hard water is eliminated.
  • Bathrooms that use water softeners are easier to clean.

A Water Softener Is the Perfect Bathroom Addition 

The Bathroom Showroom sells a luxury water softener from the BWT range. This is an advanced electronic control system that boasts the most efficient of operations. With several options available from 10 litres to 14 litres, a BWT water softener comes complete with a rotary valve for maximum reliability. 
With proportional brining for optimal efficiency, this model saves water and salt therefore further reducing operating costs. The BWT works by removing the hardness of your incoming mains water supply. A sleek modern design, it provides a continuous supply of improved water flow, promoting maximum water softener benefits. 
If you’re considering adding a water softener, book an appointment with The Bathroom Showroom. Experts in all things bathrooms, we can help turn your dream bathroom into a reality.