A water softener is a device that removes calcium and magnesium ions from hard water, replacing them with sodium ions. It is installed in the main water supply line of a house or building and can be used to treat all of the water in the building or just the water that is used for drinking and cooking. Water softeners can improve the taste of water, make it easier to lather soap, and prevent scale buildup in pipes and appliances.
Hard water can cause a number of problems in the home, including: