We assume that our water is 100% safe 100% of the time. But water main breakages, road work, and other situations may cause contamination problems. In rural areas, highly mineralized water from wells can cause wear and tear on our plumbing and appliances. For example, Manotick has iron and sulphur in their water, while just outside Kanata has chlorine hardness.
If you suspect problems with your water supply, you may need a water softener in Ottawa or specialized water filter.
At Out of This World Plumbing, our Ottawa water treatment experts can install the right treatment system for you, including quality brands like Kinetico water softeners and Novo water softeners. Reach out to us today!
The term “hard water” may not be a new one to you- but you may not know exactly what it is!
While your tap water may be crystal clear to the naked eye, it can contain dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. It comes from the groundwater absorbing the minerals before entering the water system. These minerals aren’t bad for your health, the drinking water can taste “off” and cause plumbing issues.
The scale buildup from this sediment can damage your appliances like the dishwasher or coffee maker. It also builds up in your pipes, faucets, and showerhead until they get blocked completely. It may not appear first as blocked pipes, soap scum in your shower or sink, as well as leaving your hair and skin dry and lusterless.
Book Online Book OnlineThe system usually comprises a mineral tank, brine tank, and control valve, which softens your water supply via a process of ion exchange. Calcium and magnesium, the minerals that make your water hard, are cations. This means they have a positive ion charge.
As hard water is drawn into the softener’s mineral tank via the water supply line, it passes through a layer of resin or plastic beads, which are anions. They have a negative ion charge, which attracts and “traps” the minerals.
The water then exits the tank — soft and cleaned of its mineral content. From there, it flows to the faucets and appliances throughout your home.
A water softener in Ottawa will need to go through periodic regeneration cycles weekly after treating a predetermined maximum volume of water as determined by the control valve. Then, brine (strong salt solution) is channelled from the brine tank into the mineral tank to flush the resin beads.
Water in and around Ottawa ranges from soft to hard, depending on where you live. As a rule, the hardest water is outside of the main Ottawa area, so if you live in the City of Ottawa (where water hardness is about 3 GPG), you do not need a water softener. If you’re on a private well, you are especially likely to have hard water.
We recommend softening for water at 6 to 7 GPG or more to protect appliances and to make cleaning of showers and tubs easier.
If you live within the city limits, and want to remove any additives from your water, there are other systems we can recommend.
Installing a water softener will cost between $1,200 and upwards of $3,000, including the system plus professional installation. It isn’t easy to give a precise estimate before talking with you and assessing your needs.
In addition to a water quality test that will show how hard your water is (and whether it contains other impurities), we’ll consider factors like the square footage of your home and the number of household members. We can then suggest a reasonable system and share all our knowledge on the best way to care for and maintain your system.
Kinetico leads the way in water treatment innovation, manufacturing some of the best water conditioning systems on the market. Their diverse selection of water solutions has an excellent reputation in the industry – but don’t take it from us!
Kinetico’s high-quality products have earned a 4.5/5 satisfaction rating from Consumer Affairs, with over 400 reviews from happy customers. They have a variety of water treatment systems – from whole-home water softeners to drinking stations for a single space.
Novo offers many great models of water softeners and water filters that will remove water hardness, and make your home water system more efficient in the long run.
With NSF-certified plastics, pressure tanks, and control valves, Novo products aren’t prone to the usual problems that plague water softeners like cracked collars, valve issues and bursting.
They have reverse osmosis systems as well as high-efficiency water softeners that would be a great addition to any home.
If you need a water softener in Ottawa, trust Out of This World Plumbing. Our water softener experts are specially trained and fully certified as installers of Kinetico & Novo water softeners. Reach out to us for help today!
