Do You Need A Water Softener With Reverse Osmosis?

If you’re trying to decide on a system that can soften your hard water, you may be considering a water softening system that works to remove the hardness and leave you with clean, soft water. But in your research, the term “reserve osmosis” also likely popped up.

What is reverse osmosis? Do you need it in your water softener or not? Find out the answer in this article.

The Difference Between Water Softening and Reserve Osmosis

Water softeners use ionization to replace magnesium and calcium ions from hard water with sodium or salt ions. This is why many of these systems require users to add salt or sodium a few times of year to ensure the water goes through this process.

Reverse osmosis, on the other hand, filters the water by removing various contaminants and minerals through a filter. These impurities can include fluoride, detergents, salt, lead, sulfates, and others. Some impurities may just cause the water to taste strange, while others can make it downright undrinkable!

Water softeners can lead to:

Better tasting water
Softer laundry
Spotless dishes
Fewer clogs
Less water waste

Reserve osmosis, on the other hand, gives:

Chemical-free water
Tasteless water
No odors or colors that could be caused by rusted or old pipes

These systems essentially serve different purposes in a household. A water softener ensures the water supply in a household is stripped from harsh elements that could affect how people use it, while the reverse osmosis systems essentially give safer water to drink and use.

Should You Get a 2 in 1 System?

Combining a water softener system with reverse osmosis is a great option for many households, as it gives you softer water that is cleared of any chemical impurities.

Systems that combine the two principles may even work longer, as the reserve osmosis filters are rather fragile. So if you opt for reserved osmosis exclusively, but your house is dealing with harsh water, the calcium and magnesium levels in the water may end up damaging the filter sooner than you might expect.

If you’re not sure which type of water system your house needs, we at Culligan of Stockton can assist you to make the right choices, whether it’s a water softener, reserve osmosis, or a combination of the two.

Reach out to our office online or call us directly at 209-466-2501 to find out more about how we can help.

The Difference Between Water Softening and Reserve Osmosis

Should You Get a 2 in 1 System?

Find Your Water Solution