What is water hardness?
Hardness is made up of calcium and magnesium – rock that is dissolved in your water. With this in your water, it is difficult to wash because the hardness prevents soap from lathering. Hardness also leads to scaling in pipes and water heaters. Hardness is described in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm).
Hardness is made up of calcium and magnesium – rock that is dissolved in your water. With this in your water, it is difficult to wash because the hardness prevents soap from lathering. Hardness also leads to scaling in pipes and water heaters. Hardness is described in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm).
How will this save me money?
You can save money by preventing costly scale build-up in your household plumbing and fixtures. It reduces the energy cost for heating water and prolongs the life of water-using appliances. Water softening cuts the cost of cleaning supplies (soap, detergent, and shampoo) by up to 75%. Treated water gives you brighter, fresher, clothes that last longer, sparkling water, spot free dishes, no more bathtub rings, softer, smoother skin, shiny, more manageable hair, no more iron stains, no more scale and iron deposits in pipes.
You can save money by preventing costly scale build-up in your household plumbing and fixtures. It reduces the energy cost for heating water and prolongs the life of water-using appliances. Water softening cuts the cost of cleaning supplies (soap, detergent, and shampoo) by up to 75%. Treated water gives you brighter, fresher, clothes that last longer, sparkling water, spot free dishes, no more bathtub rings, softer, smoother skin, shiny, more manageable hair, no more iron stains, no more scale and iron deposits in pipes.
How do water softeners work?
The water to be treated passes through a bed of the resin. Negatively-charged resins absorb and bind metal ions, which are positively charged. The resins initially contain univalent hydrogen, sodium, or potassium ions, which exchange with divalent calcium and magnesium ions in the water. As the water passes through the resin column, the hardness ions replace the hydrogen, sodium, or potassium ions that are released into the water. The “harder” the water, the more hydrogen, sodium, or potassium ions are released from the resin and into the water. Resins are also available to remove carbonate, bicarbonate, and sulfate ions which are absorbed, and hydroxyl ions released from the resin. Both types of resin may be provided in a single water softener.
The water to be treated passes through a bed of the resin. Negatively-charged resins absorb and bind metal ions, which are positively charged. The resins initially contain univalent hydrogen, sodium, or potassium ions, which exchange with divalent calcium and magnesium ions in the water. As the water passes through the resin column, the hardness ions replace the hydrogen, sodium, or potassium ions that are released into the water. The “harder” the water, the more hydrogen, sodium, or potassium ions are released from the resin and into the water. Resins are also available to remove carbonate, bicarbonate, and sulfate ions which are absorbed, and hydroxyl ions released from the resin. Both types of resin may be provided in a single water softener.
Will my skin feel slimy using soft water?
When you wash your skin with hard water, there is a layer of soap and minerals that is left on your skin. This is what causes the supposed squeaky clean feeling. With soft water, the soap is completely rinsed away leaving just the natural oils your skin produces.
When you wash your skin with hard water, there is a layer of soap and minerals that is left on your skin. This is what causes the supposed squeaky clean feeling. With soft water, the soap is completely rinsed away leaving just the natural oils your skin produces.
Why does my clean laundry look grey?
When calcium and magnesium in the water are mixed with soap a gray sticky curd is formed that adheres to clothing. This is the source of the gray color. There are numerous chemicals that can be used to control this problem, but they shorten the life of the fabric. By softening your water, not only will you eliminate this problem, you can substantially reduce the use of laundry detergent and increase the life of your clothes.
When calcium and magnesium in the water are mixed with soap a gray sticky curd is formed that adheres to clothing. This is the source of the gray color. There are numerous chemicals that can be used to control this problem, but they shorten the life of the fabric. By softening your water, not only will you eliminate this problem, you can substantially reduce the use of laundry detergent and increase the life of your clothes.
Will a water softener harm my septic system?
Studies conducted at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and the National Sanitation Foundation confirm that softener regeneration does not harm the bacteria in the septic system.
Studies conducted at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and the National Sanitation Foundation confirm that softener regeneration does not harm the bacteria in the septic system.
How can I get my water tested?
You’ll want to test for hardness, iron, and pH if you have well water; hardness, pH and chlorine for those on city water. Click here to set up an appointment to have your water tested in your home or our office. If you are experiencing iron stains with municipally supplied water, you should also test for iron.
You’ll want to test for hardness, iron, and pH if you have well water; hardness, pH and chlorine for those on city water. Click here to set up an appointment to have your water tested in your home or our office. If you are experiencing iron stains with municipally supplied water, you should also test for iron.
If you have municipal water coming to your home in the Tampa Bay area, the primary cause is the presence of Chloramines. While the municipal waters locally do meet safe drinking water standards, they can regularly taste bad. This can easily be solved with a quality drinking water system installed underneath the kitchen sink or on the main water line going into the house. The degree of hardness standard as established by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (S-339) and the Water Quality Association is: