About 85% of the United States taps into a hard water supply. That is, an overwhelming majority of Americans use water that has a high concentration of dissolved minerals, chiefly calcium and magnesium.
One might then glean from this that RVers could roll the theoretical dice when out on the road – and the chances are that, at any given campsite connection, the water will be hard. Those are the odds.
Doesn’t sound so scary, though, after all. These are just minerals.
That is until you realize what hard water can do to an RV’s plumbing, and what other issues it can cause.
Luckily, it can be cured through affordable, easy-to-install water softeners for your RV. Here’s how one can change your perspective in favor of soft water.
1. Hard water damages plumbing
Hard water accumulates in the form of scale – which is commonly visible as a white, chalky residue, although it can also present as dark orange or brown stains that look like rust.
Over time, hard water scale will accumulate along the inside of pipes, restricting water flow rate, increasing pressure on the lines, joints, fittings, and everything else to which they connect.
At a certain point, scale-damaged pipes will need to be replaced, which could entail a several-thousand dollar expense or more to repair your RV water system.
2. Hard water also damages appliances and can leave unsightly stains on fixtures
Hard water doesn’t just damage plumbing pipes. It also damages fixtures and appliances. Lines in a washing machine, water heater, or a sink, for example, could become obstructed, requiring lengthy, expensive repairs or replacements.
Moreover, mineral buildup on sinks and other fixtures will leave ugly stains and marks that are very difficult to remove and will adversely impact the value of your RV.
3. It can also leave behind an unpleasant residue on your skin, hair, laundry, and even dishes
Even if hard water didn’t cause damage to plumbing, appliances, and fixtures, it leaves behind an odd-feeling residue that can make showering less pleasant and washing dishes less effective.
Hard water can make it feel like there is something on your skin or hair that you can’t quite “get out,” even with soap and water. Moreover, it can leave behind stains on dishes and glassware that can be very difficult to remove. Trying to rinse them away won’t work – more hard water just adds to the scale buildup.
Where Can You Get an RV Water Softener?
There are all different sorts of water filtration systems and water softeners for your RV that you can use to help you contend with some of these issues.
Some of them, like On The Go Water Softeners, are cost-effective, easy to install, and can be easily installed.
As a specific for instance, the On The Go OTG4 StdSoft is compact, requires no tools or electricity to install or operate, and can soften up to 800 gallons of water before it needs to be recharged – which can be done with common table salt.
This is only one example of a water softener for your RV. There are many others including portable water softeners, and you can find many of them easily online at RV Upgrades (RVUpgradeStore.com).
Check out their collection online via the link above and get in touch with their customer service team at 866-332-7661 if you need additional assistance.
