Water Softener in Apartments: Is it Worth the Investment?

If you live in an apartment, you may wonder if installing a water softener is possible in your apartment.

Yes, you can install a water softener in your apartment. But before buying and installing a water softener, you must consider the condition of your apartment.

Hard water can cause a variety of problems, including scaling on pipes and appliances, dry skin and hair, and reduced water flow.

While a water softener can help solve these problems, installing one in an apartment may not be as straightforward as installing one in a house.

In this article, we’ll explore the factors you should consider before installing a water softener in an apartment, including the cost, maintenance, and logistical challenges you may face.

Can I Install a Water Softener in an Apartment?

It is possible to install a water softener in an apartment, but it may not be as straightforward as installing one in a house.

Installing a water softener in an apartment depends on the location and size. It also depends on the purpose, whether you will install it at the point of entry or point of use.

Water softeners are suitable for both apartment owners and rentals. The whole process of a softener machine is called ‘reverse filtration.’ For apartments, portable water softeners are the best.

There are a few things you should consider before deciding to install a water softener in an apartment:

• The size of a portable water softener is smaller and can fit any corner of the house.
• A portable water softener works just fine as a standard water softener.
• A portable water softener is less expensive compared to a standard one.
• Portable water softeners help to prevent minerals and rust stains.
• A standard water softener takes up a lot of space than a portable one.
• You may not get permission to install a standard water softener, which is not an issue for a portable one.

Point of Entry vs. Point of Use Water Softener System

Point Of Entry.

Point Of Entry (POE) setups are put just where water enters your house. They are also regarded as a treatment system for the entire home since they filter all the household’s water. 

POE purifying process is operated with the primary water connection of the building. It may be impractical to operate if you live in a flat or building since the link required to install is challenging to discover and requires authorization from the owner.

Point Of Use.

A Point Of Use (POU) water treatment device is put at the point of use. It connects directly to a tap or shower, purifying only the water from that supply.

These solutions, like a POU, can provide good quality, odorless water by eliminating contaminants. When determining an accessible room, the capacity of a purification device for water is a crucial factor to examine.

POU water softeners are small and simple to set up at a sole water line, often beneath your toilet or kitchen sink. Also, purify the water you use for cleaning, bathing, or drinking.

Your water will be odorless, tasty, and devoid of muck, hard water, and rust spots.

Why is a Water Softener Installation Important in the Apartment?

Prevent mineral marks on your home appliances and taps.

Hard water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can leave yellowish marks on your plates, bowls, other home appliances, and taps.

Water softener softens the water by removing the minerals from the water. Thus, you can prevent mineral marks on your dishes and fixtures.

Protect your skin from dryness and itchiness.

Hard water damages the skin. Though hard water doesn’t hamper your health, you can have itchiness and dryness on your skin.

Since the hard water leaves some uncomfortable residue on your skin, your skin becomes dry and itchy even after cleaning with soap. Soft water will not cause any problems on your skin. 

Avoid blockage and damage in your pipelines.

Hard water leaves mineral residue in the pipelines, and mineral buildup increases over time. As a result, the channels grow mold and rust, creating blockage and damaging the pipes.

You can avoid this issue by softening the water with a water softener in your apartment. 

Prevent damage to your geyser.

A geyser is an essential piece of equipment in a household. Hard water mineral grows inside the geyser connection.

Thus it clogs the geyser, and eventually, the heating properties of the geyser are damaged over time. So you need to soften your water to prevent geyser damage.

Stop wasting soap and shampoo.

When the hard water leaves mineral residue on your clothes and hair, you need to use more soap, detergent, and shampoo than usual. It increases the waste of soap and increases your expenses.  

Prevent your white clothes from turning pale yellow.

Hard water leaves mineral wastes in the pipes. Thus, mold builds in the water pipes and leads to rust buildup. Rust turns the water into yellowish color.

Washing your white clothes with rusty water will turn them pale yellow. Always clean your garments using soft water.

Things to Consider Before Buying Water Softeners

There are a few things to consider before deciding to install a water softener in an apartment

Cost

Water softeners can be quite expensive, especially if you need to purchase a high-capacity unit for a larger apartment.

You should also consider the ongoing costs of maintaining a water softener, including replacing the salt and resin used to soften the water and repairing or replacing the unit if it breaks down.

Maintenance

Water softeners require regular maintenance to ensure they are functioning properly. This includes adding salt to the unit and replacing the resin used to soften the water.

If you are not comfortable with this type of maintenance, you may want to consider hiring a professional to do it for you.

Logistical challenges

Water softeners can be quite large, so you must find a suitable location to install them. You may also need to consider the availability of plumbing and electrical connections in your apartment.

If you are on a shared water supply, you will need to check with your landlord or property management company to determine if a water softener is allowed.

If you are on a private water supply, you must check with your local water authority to see if a water softener is permitted.

Why are Portable Water Softeners Best for Apartments?

Small in size, fits anywhere

The primary concern of having a standard water softener is the place you should install it because the size is not convenient and cannot be placed in small areas.

But portable water softeners are small in size. It can stay on any edge of your apartment. You can operate the portable one anywhere, whether you want to install it under the kitchen sink or in the bathroom. 

A portable & a standard one are almost the same

You might wonder if the portable water softener is as good as the standard one or whether it has fewer functions. Well, a portable water softener works the same as a standard one. It is way more feasible than a traditional water softener.

It’s budget-friendly

A traditional water softener will cost you a lot of bucks. Still, you can get the same service at a cheaper rate with a portable water softener. If your budget is low and you immediately need a water softener, a portable water softener is a perfect option. 

It prevents rust and mineral stains

As mentioned before, a portable water softener does the same job as a standard water softener. A portable water softener can prevent rust and mineral stains from utensils and clothes by reverse filtration. 

It saves space in the apartment

A standard water softener is quite large. As a result, it takes up a large area in an apartment. On the contrary, a portable water softener is smaller than a standard one, fits in a minimal area, and saves a lot of space in the apartment. 

Easy to get the permission

The main issue with having a standard water softener is that the landlord of the apartment or the building does not allow you to install the standard water softener because it has to be installed with the main water line of the building.

But since a portable water softener is handy and for your personal use, you can get permission effortlessly.

Watch the video below to learn why you should change your water quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Can I install a water softener anywhere?

Yes, you can install a water softener wherever you want, but only if the place meets some requirements.

Such as access to power, piping, plumbing and drainage, and a well-heated area since water softeners cannot work in a low-temperature area. 

How can I soften the hard water in my shower apartment?

Firstly, soften the water by boiling it; some minerals will vaporize. Use white vinegar to retain rust and mineral stains. Use a solution of white vinegar, liquid soap, and water to wash the soapy mold.

Does a water softener reduce the lifespan of a geyser?

Soft water might damage the electrode of the water heater more quicker. When the anode fails, the acidic elements migrate to the tank. A water softener plant, if left unchecked, might significantly reduce the lifespan of a water heater.

Is softened water safe to drink?

While softened water is safe to drink, the quantity of sodium in the treated water is determined by the original water’s hardness. If the hardness of the water before softening is less than 400 ppm calcium, you can drink it without fear.

How to tell if my house has hard water?

Hard water causes your clothes to be inflexible and drab, causing the whites to seem yellowish. Your skin has rashes and blisters, and your hair is dull and lifeless.

White soap scum or calcium deposit has formed on your appliances and plumbing fittings. The Ceramic is discolored.

Does stiff water damage hair?

Yes, the existing mineral in hard water damages the hair. It leaves a layer over the hair and makes the hair dry. As a result, the hair gets frizzy and harsh. You must take preventive measures to stop hair falls.

Is soft water good for your hair?

Soft water is excellent for your hair since it may reach the root more thoroughly, making hair appear healthier, smoother, and least brittle.

You can wash hair with soft water more swiftly and effortlessly than with hard water, so you don’t need to apply as much shampoo as you would with hard water.

Conclusion.

A water softener is a must if you have hard water in your apartment. Hard water damages your skin, clothes, and other house appliances. A water softener softens the hard water through the filtration process.

The softening procedure is called ‘reverse filtration.’ For apartments, portable water softeners are the most convenient.

You can install the small portable water softener anywhere in the house. There is not much difference between a portable and a standard water softener. A portable water softener is cost-friendly.

It decreases mineral buildup. It saves a lot of room. Getting permission from the landlord to install a portable water softener is effortless.