Can a Water Softener Remove Iron from Your Water? Insights from a Pentair Water Softening Company in Kildeer, Illinois

Dealing with iron in your water can be incredibly frustrating. It can leave you feeling like you’re constantly scrubbing those orange stains off your sinks and tubs, only to see them come back days later. Your clean white clothes may even end up with streaks, and your drinking water might start to taste metallic.

There is a solution to this problem that does not involve nonstop cleaning or buying bottled water — a water softener might be exactly what you need. But can a water softener remove iron from your water? Below, this Pentair water softening company in Kildeer, Illinois is going to explain how these systems handle iron, and why some iron types are harder to remove than others.

Water softeners can handle some types of iron, but not all.

Water softeners are good at removing minerals that cause water hardness, like calcium and magnesium. But with iron, it depends.

If the iron in your water is in the form of “ferrous iron” (or clear-water iron because it is dissolved and invisible), a water softener can usually handle it. The softener removes the iron and replaces it with sodium through a process called ion exchange, making your water cleaner and softer.

But if your water has higher amounts of iron or a type called “ferric iron” (which is visible as orange particles in the water), a standard water softener can struggle. Though it could remove some iron, it is not designed to handle large amounts or more stubborn types of iron. 

If you have high iron levels in your water, it is worth looking into a high-quality system from a Pentair water softening company in Kildeer, Illinois. 

Iron is hard to remove because it exists in many different forms.

Iron enters your water supply in different forms, and each type needs to be handled differently.

– Ferrous iron dissolves in water, so you can’t see it. It is only when it oxidizes into ferric iron that you actually see any stains or discoloration.

– Ferric iron does not dissolve in water so it appears as visible orange or reddish particles, which can stain your sinks, tubs, or toilets.

– Bacterial iron is the most challenging type. It is slimy and smelly and builds up quickly inside your pipes. It creates a reddish-brown coating that is very hard to remove.

The challenge with iron is that many water softeners are not designed to remove iron exclusively. A standard softener can handle small amounts of ferrous iron but might not be as effective with ferric or bacterial iron. If your water has more than 0.3 parts per million (ppm) of iron, a softener alone will probably not be enough.

If you ask a trusted Pentair water softening company in Kildeer, Illinois, they will recommend using a water softener with an iron filter for the best results. This method gives you clean and soft water while addressing the specific problems caused by iron.

Is a water softener enough?

While a water softener might not remove all the iron by itself, it improves your water quality in other ways. A water softener deals with hard water, and as a direct result of that, it makes your water taste better, protects your appliances, and prevents soap scum from building up in your sinks and showers.

A Pentair water softening company in Kildeer, Illinois can test your water, recommend the best softener and filter combination for your home, and make sure everything is installed correctly.

Can a water softener remove iron? The answer is yes, but only to a point.

If your water has low to moderate iron levels and the iron is mostly ferrous, a high-quality Pentair water softener can help. But if the iron levels are very high or there is ferric or bacterial iron, you will need extra filtration to fully fix the problem. 

Looking for a Pentair Water Softening Company in Kildeer, Illinois?

Are you tired of dealing with orange stains, metallic-tasting water, and stubborn iron buildup? If so, and if you’re ready to have a new water softener installed by the best Pentair water softening company in Kildeer, Illinois, you’ve come to the right place — Johnson Water Conditioning is here to help. Contact us today to get started.