Alright, let’s get straight to the point. Water softeners don’t need carbon filters, but they can be super beneficial. It helps to remove pollutants from your water such as chlorine, lead, or other contaminants, thereby extending the life of your water softener.
Now, if you already have a supply of pure, contaminant-free water, you probably don’t need a carbon filter with the system.
Continue reading if you need a clear vision of whether to consider one or not.
What Exactly is a Water Softener?
First, understand what a water softener is. I’ll keep it very short, don’t worry.
A water softener is a device that eliminates water hardness. The softener also adds salt to the water so that it is easier to drink. This doesn’t mean the water will have a salty taste.
The hardness of your water may cause some health problems. It can harm your skin, make your hair dry, and cause stains on your clothing.
As far as I’m aware, there are primarily six categories of water softeners :
- Salt-Based
- Salt-Free
- Reverse Osmosis
- Magnetic
- Portable
- Twin Cylinder
How Does A Water Softener Work?
There are many similarities between magnets and water softeners. Basically, It attracts the ions of calcium and magnesium and removes them from the water.
Once the ions are attached to the resin, the resin becomes like a sponge and can remove a large number of ions from the water.
How to Determine Whether Your Water Is Hard or Soft?
The easiest way to test if your water is hard or soft is to check the pH level. Hard water has a higher pH level.
I will briefly discuss some popular methods here, which I have tested myself.
Soap Suds Water Bottle Test : Easy and Quick
This one is fun. Grab a clear plastic or glass bottle. Fill up a bottle of water to roughly a third. Shake 10 to 15 seconds after adding liquid soap.
Now, look at the solution in the bottle. It is likely that you have soft water if you see a lot of bubbles on top of your bottle and the water underneath them becomes clear.
Your water is hard if it looks cloudy or milky.
Use a Test Strip
Put the test strip in the water you want to check. Wait 20 to 30 seconds and then remove it. Your water will show up yellow or brownish red. This shows that your water has a higher mineral content. The harder the water, the darker it will turn.
You will find these strips at any home improvement store. They are relatively inexpensive, and they are available in many different sizes.
Other Ways to Check Your Water Hardness
- There are several water softener companies that offer free water tests.
- You can send your water to the water testing lab for analysis.
- The company that provides your water can provide you with information regarding how hard the water is.
Here is a great video demonstrating how to check your pH water level at home.
How Does a Carbon Filter Work With a Water Softener System?
You can improve the quality of your home’s water by using a carbon filter with a water softener system. Carbon filters trap the water’s impurities. Minerals that make the water hard are taken out by the water softener.
In addition, a carbon filter is commonly set up ahead of a water softener. So, impurities are filtered out of the water before it has a chance to enter the water softener.
When used together, these two systems can provide you with clean, pure water that is free of impurities and minerals.
Can Carbon Filters Alone Soften Water?
Unfortunately, carbon filters alone cannot soften water. Using an ion exchange process water softeners remove harsh minerals. Carbon filters only remove contaminants from water as I said before.
You may require both a water softener and a carbon filter to get the best result possible.
Benefits of Using Carbon Filter with Water Softener
Carbon filters are useful for water softeners for several reasons.
It is necessary to soften hard water that contains calcium and magnesium. This is because hard water can damage plumbing fixtures and appliances. It can also cause soap scum build-up.
Furthermore, water softeners exchange calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions in hard water. This is called the ion exchange process.
However, ion exchange does not remove other impurities from water, such as chlorine, lead, or other contaminants.
The use of a carbon filter mitigates the health risks. Besides, It can improve the taste and bleachy smell of water.
Carbon filters extend the life of water softeners. This is because impurities can clog and damage the water softener over time.
A carbon filter can help to remove these impurities, which will help to extend the life of your water softener. Also, it improves water taste.
Moreover, water softeners make less noise due to carbon filters. They get rid of anything that might make your system work slower, like dirt or dust.
So, combining your water softener and carbon filter produces optimal results.
When Should You Use a Carbon Filter With Water Softener?
There are a few different circumstances in which you might need to install a carbon filter before your water softener.
If your well water is highly contaminated. These impurities might promote mold and bacterial growth. By filtering out these contaminants, you can keep your drinking water pure and safe.
You may need to use a carbon filter if your water is extra dirty. Along with this, a carbon filter will remove the pollutants before they affect your water softener. This will help your water softener keep working well and last longer.
Finally, if you live in an area with hard water, you might need to use a carbon filter to remove the chlorine from your water. This is because chlorine can damage the beads in your water softener, making them less effective.
When should you replace your water softener’s carbon filter?
You should replace the carbon filter in your water softener system every 4 to 6 months.
Alternatively, hard water may require more frequent filter replacement.If your water has a lot of sediment, replace the filter more often.
It’s important to know when the filter was last changed. By doing this, your system will work better and last longer.
Besides, it’s wise to keep an extra carbon filter around so you can rapidly swap out the filter when necessary.
Maintain Your Carbon Filter and Water Softener System
There are a few things you need to do to maintain your carbon filter and water softener system.
- Check the filter regularly to see if it needs to be replaced.
- Change the filter every 3 to 6 months, or as needed.
- If you have a sediment filter, change it every 12 months.
- Check the water softener regularly to make sure it is working properly.
- If your water softener uses salt, add salt to it as needed.
- If you have a potassium chloride-based water softener, add potassium chloride to the unit as needed.
- Make sure the water is clean and free of unhealthy elements.
- Get in touch with an expert for assistance if you find water issues.
- Have your water tested once a year to make sure it is safe to consume.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all maintenance and repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Bad Is It to Drink Hard Water?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said, at the Geneva Conference, that there is no evidence that drinking hard water is harmful. In contrast, hard water can damage your skin, hair, clothes, and plumbing for a long time.
2. Do Carbon Filters Reduce Water Hardness?
No. As stated before, carbon filters will not reduce water hardness. However, they can remove other contaminants from your water, which can make it taste better and smell fresher.
3. Can You Use a Whole House Water Filter With a Water Softener?
A water softener and whole-house filter work best together. The water softener will remove the hardness from your water, and the whole-house filter will remove any remaining contaminants.
Final Thoughts
I guess I’ve said it all.
Just check the quality of your water properly before getting into the conclusion.
Don’t forget to replace the carbon filter in your water softener system every few months or years.
Some water softeners have built-in carbon filters. Consider buying one as it always feels good to have an extra layer of protection and boost your water softener’s efficiency.
For more information about carbon filters for your water softener, please contact an expert in water treatment.