Does A Water Softener Affect A Water Heater?

Do you live in an area with hard water? If so, you know all about the issues that come along with hard water. Although you might want to install a water softener, this may not be the best option for you. Kinetico San Antonio is here to clear up the confusion (and the water)!

Hard Water Signs

Hard water is water that contains an excess of minerals, like iron, copper, magnesium and calcium. Sometimes, homeowners don’t realize that they have hard water until they notice these common issues:

• Soap scum
• Scale deposits on pipes and appliances, like shower heads, faucets and pipes
• Red-brown stains on porcelain plumbing installations
• Off-putting taste or smell coming from your water
• Skin irritation and dryness

To fix these issues, most people install a water softener. Water softeners are very common in towns with hard water, but there is something not all homeowners know. A water softener can actually cause damage to your water heater. This means that the appliance will need to be replaced sooner.

How Do Water Softeners Damage Water Heaters?

The key player here is the anode rod. Although many people don’t know it, the anode rod is to thank for running a water heater. Without this aluminum rod, your water heater would leak much sooner than a water heater with this component in place.

Hard Water And The Anode Rod

Eventually, all water heaters will be damaged by water’s erosive properties. Water and steel don’t mix well. The corrosive minerals and slight electric current inside of a water heater cause it to break down. The anode rod catches these minerals, allowing them to corrode the rod itself.

A water softener replaces the ‘hard’ minerals in the water with sodium. This makes the water more corrosive and conductive, which speeds up the anode rod’s deterioration. If the damaged anode rod isn’t replaced quickly, the water will corrode the tank itself.

Do I Need A Water Softener?

You may now be confused about what to do with that water softener. Should you get rid of yours or cancel that installation appointment? Not exactly.

Plenty of homeowners use a water softener without issue. One of the most important things to remember is to replace your anode rod every few years. This is the key to extending the life of your water heater.

Recently, manufacturers have made it more difficult to replace the anode rod. Some have also created custom anode rods for their water heaters. Unfortunately, this means that there are many sizes, materials and levels of accessibility for this part, so contacting the manufacturer for this information is recommended. You can always call in the professionals to replace this part, too!

Hard Water Solutions In San Antonio

Luckily, Kinetico San Antonio has your back when it comes to hard water! Our team is dedicated to providing the best water systems to homeowners in San Antonio and the Hill Country. We are proud to provide our customers with affordable, high-quality water softeners that suit your needs. 

Kinetico water systems offer excellent efficiency, high flow rates and twin tank designs. This means that you will get soft water quickly and effectively at any time! We offer installation services for our systems, and we even have rental and financing options.

Call us today for a quote!