Question 1

Why are water treatment systems important?

Accepted Answer

Water is essential to your life and makes a big impact on well-being. You drink it, cook with it, use it to keep your home clean and your yard green. It’s easy to overlook, but when there are issues with your water quality, you notice. Little things like spotty dishes and scratchy clothes, and bigger things like higher water bills and damaged appliances. Fortunately, our range of water treatment solutions delivers high-quality water that helps protect your well-being, your home and the environment.

Question 2

What is hard water?

Accepted Answer

Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals, especially calcium and magnesium. The average water hardness in Los Angeles is 127 parts per million (PPM) and contains 15-20 grains per gallon (GPG), which is considered hard to very hard.  Hard water can cause a number of issues, including:

Mineral deposits: Hard water can leave mineral deposits on dishes, appliances, and windows.

Skin and hair: Hard water can make it difficult to lather soap and shampoo, and  cause dry skin and hair.

Clothing: Hard water can make clothing rough, crinkly, and cause it to lose color.

Plumbing: Hard water can corrode pipes, faucets, and fixtures.

Appliances: Hard water can reduce the efficiency of appliances, leading to higher energy bills and frequent maintenance.

Pier Water Solutions offers a range of high-quality water filtration and softening systems to effectively tame or remove the minerals that lead to damage of faucets, bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances, water heaters, and pipes. You can rest assured that your water will be filtered to perfection, ensuring both safety and exceptional service.

Question 3

Is hard water safe to drink?

Accepted Answer

At Pier Water Solutions, we understand that safety and health are top priorities when it comes to water quality. Drinking hard water is generally safe. The biggest problem with hard water is the taste and the mineral buildup it can leave on fixtures, appliances, and in pipes. Water filtration systems remove harmful contaminants, improving your water's taste, odor, and color.

Question 4

Do I need a water filtration system?

Accepted Answer

Water quality can vary across towns or even over time, and every home’s filtration needs are different when it comes to improving water quality. However, for those in the greater Los Angeles area, water filtration systems are highly recommended due to LA's high sediment and very hard tap water. Some water issues are easy to spot, like the smell of sulfur or the taste of chlorine. But many impurities are more difficult to detect. Filtration addresses common water issues such as:

• Sediment 					• Chlorine taste and odor
• Lead and other heavy metals     	• Trihalomethanes (THMs)
• Asbestos 					• Giardia, Cryptosporidium
• Hardness minerals  				• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Water filtration technologies provide high-quality filtered water by reducing many of the most common contaminants. Be confident in the quality of water your family is drinking and cooking with by partnering with our professionals who can help determine the right solution for your home.

Question 5

How do water filtration systems work?

Accepted Answer

A water filtration system works by forcing water through a series of physical barriers, like filters made of different materials, which trap and remove impurities like sediment, bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants as the water passes through, leaving clean water behind.

Question 6

What is soft water?

Accepted Answer

Soft water simply means the absence of minerals in water. The benefit of soft water is that a homeowner or business will greatly reduce the amount of buildup found on anything water comes in contact with, from appliances to skin.

Question 7

Is soft water safe for drinking and everyday use?

Accepted Answer

Soft water, which is water that has had its mineral contents - specifically calcium and magnesium - reduced, is generally safe for drinking and everyday use. When water undergoes a softening process, it typically uses an ion-exchange system that replaces hard minerals with sodium or potassium ions. This adjustment improves the feel of the water and prevents the build-up of scale in pipes and appliances, enhancing their lifespan and efficiency. However, per the American Heart Association, those on low-sodium diets should be aware that water softened with sodium may contain increased levels of sodium. In such cases, opting for a potassium-based softener or using a reverse osmosis system can mitigate this issue.

Question 8

Do I need a soft water system?

Accepted Answer

Whether you need a water softener depends entirely on the hardness of your water supply. If your water is considered "hard" with high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, then a water softener can be beneficial to prevent scale buildup on appliances, fixtures, and pipes, improve the feel of your skin and hair, and make laundry cleaner. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation so we can test your water and discuss whether a softening system is right for you.

Question 9

How do water softeners work?

Accepted Answer

Water softeners use a process called ion exchange to remove calcium, magnesium, and other minerals from water and make it soft:

Resin beads
A water softener's tank contains resin beads with a negative charge that attract the positive charge of hard water minerals. 
Ion exchange
As water passes through the tank, the resin beads exchange the hard water minerals for sodium or potassium ions. 
Regeneration
When the resin beads become full of minerals, the water softener goes through a regeneration cycle. A concentrated salt or potassium solution is sent to the tank to remove the minerals from the beads. 
Soft water enters your home

Question 10

What's the difference between salt-based and saltless water softeners?

Accepted Answer

Pier Water Solutions offers both salt-based and saltless (potassium-based) water softening systems. A saltless water softener does not remove hard water minerals from the water, while a salt-based water softener actively removes these minerals using a process involving salt, meaning a saltless system only "conditions" the water by altering the minerals so they don't stick to surfaces, while a salt-based system truly softens the water by removing them entirely. Essentially, saltless systems are not true water softeners, but rather aim to prevent scale build-up. Those on low-sodium diets should be aware that water softened with sodium may contain increased levels of sodium. In such cases, opting for a potassium-based softener or using a reverse osmosis system can mitigate this issue.

Question 11

What are PFAS contaminants? Are they a concern?

Accepted Answer

In recent years, there has been growing awareness and concern over PFAS and the potential health implications that could occur as a result of exposure to these pollutants. PFOA and PFOS are commonly known as “forever chemicals” because they do not easily degrade. This, combined with their widespread use, means that PFAS are present virtually everywhere in the environment. They've been found in the blood of people and animals, and in a variety of food products. According to CDC Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.

Where do PFAS come from? 
Pretty much any product that features water-repellency contains PFAS. According to the EPA, some conventional products that feature PFAS include firefighting foam, non-stick pans, pizza boxes, fast food wrappers, cleaning products, polishes, cosmetics, shoes, and clothing.

But how do PFAS get in our water? 
Significant sources of PFAS contamination in the environment are sites where manufacturers illegally dump PFAS into sources of water. Also, when landfills contain PFAS, it's common for them to seep into groundwater. It can also happen when PFAS-containing products are burnt in incinerators.

How can I reduce PFAS? 
Water filtration for PFAS is one of the best ways to reduce levels of these contaminants in your water supply.  We carry affordable water filtration systems that are certified to reduce PFOS and PFOA concentrations in your drinking water by up to 98 percent when used as directed. Removing PFAS from water has never been easier.

Question 12

How often does our water system need maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Routine maintenance is necessary for all units. Please reach out to our team to assess your current unit and create a maintenance schedule. Filters should be replaced at a minimum of once per year.

Question 13

My existing water system needs attention. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we're happy to help! With years of experience in the industry, our technicians can service any water system and provide solutions to virtually any problem. Call us at 310-363-0139.

Question 14

What if my water equipment is leaking?

Accepted Answer

If you have a leak from a water filtration system, the first and most important step is to immediately turn off the water supply to the filter, then call us to schedule a time for inspection.

If you have a leak from a whole-house water softening or filtration system, immediately turn off the bypass (typically a red handle), then call us to schedule a time for inspection.

Oftentimes, leaks go unnoticed for too long, leading to costly water damage, which is why we always recommend our under-the-sink auto shut-off leak detectors.

Question 15

What forms of payments do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept cash, check, and credit cards, including AMEX, Visa,  MasterCard, and Discover. We also accept ApplePay as a mobile payment option.

Question 16

Do you offer financing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer financing for those who'd prefer to finance their grand total into monthly payments.

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