What is Hard Water /Advantages & Disadvantages/Hard Water VS Softener
Study suggests the minerals in hard water can help prevent heart disease, as well reducing your risk of osteoporosis because of the calcium carbonate in the water. For this to be true, however, a good supply of vitamin D is necessary in the diet since it helps your body absorb calcium. However, Hard Water is a source of many problems.
The 3 Components Hard Water
Hard water forms deposits that clog plumbing and reduce water flow. Calcium and magnesium carbonates tend to be deposited as off-white solids on the inside surfaces of pipes and heat exchangers.
These deposits are called SCALE and are mainly made of:
CALCIUM CARBONATE: Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound which is a common substance found in rocks in all parts of the world.
CALCIUM SULFATE : Calcium sulfate is a salt that occurs abundantly in the natural.
MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE: Natural magnesium hydroxide exists in the form of brucite that is commonly found in nature and occurring in clay minerals.
Even though other minerals exist in hard water, the calcium and magnesium create the problems. When heated, these minerals precipitate out of water and layer themselves onto where film and scale can build on your tile along with kitchen and bathroom fixtures, also affecting the performance of household appliances.
WATER HEATERS
- Hard water can increase your utility bills due to accumulated scale in the water heater.
- Deposits of scale shortens the life of water heaters.
Possible Solutions
- Flushing your hot water heater occasionally as directed in the owner’s manual.
- Reducing the temperature of the hot water heater also will help.
LAUNDRY
Hard water in your laundry allows the soap and detergent deposits to linger on your fabrics. Leaving a dull color and gives a dingy or yellow appearance to white fabrics.
- Harsh minerals in hard water reduce the life of clothes
- Build-up in washing machine
- Wastes soap and synthetic detergent
Possible Solutions
- Remove calcified buildup on pipes and appliances on a regular basis.
- Follow the laundry detergent manufacturer’s instructions on using the product with hard water.
BATHROOM
These scale mineral deposits are unsightly and are challenging to remove.
- Leaves unsightly soap scum rings in the bathtub & sink
- Makes bathing more difficult for skin and hair.
Possible Solutions
- Look for soaps and shampoos especially formulated for hard water. A final rinse of 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 3/4 cup water can help remove dulling product buildup.
- Remove calcified buildup on pipes and appliances on a regular basis.
- Use white vinegar on tiles, glass, and faucets to help remove mineral deposits.
KITCHEN
- Hard water can affect the taste of tea and coffee while building in appliance
- Glasses and dishes remain white filmed and spotted even after cleaning
- Leaves unsightly soap scum rings around sink
- Builds calcium deposits in dishwasher
Possible Solutions
- Use a rinsing agent or distilled vinegar in the dishwasher to remove white film and spots
- For better-tasting coffee, run a pot of strong white vinegar water through your coffee machine from time to time
- Remove calcified buildup on pipes and appliances on a regular basis
- Use white vinegar on tiles, glass, and faucets to help remove mineral deposits
Is installing a water softener the solution?
A water softener will take care of the hard water though is it a necessity? Depending on where you live and how you use water, the cost of processing your water may not be worth it.
What is SOFT WATER?
SOFT WATER has been processed so that excess levels of dissolved minerals are removed.
There are 2 types of water softeners
1. WATER SOFTENER USING SODIUM OR POTASIUM
This Water Softener works on the principle of ion exchange in which ions of the hardness minerals are exchanged for sodium or potassium ions, effectively reducing the concentration of hardness minerals to tolerable levels and thus making the water softer and gives it a smoother feeling.”
WHY MIGHT YOU NOT WANT THIS WATER SOFTENER?
With the exception of a few higher tech systems, water softeners will require electricity and an avid supply of softener salt. Most important to the costs of having a water softener is the speculation of health risks associated with drinking water treated with high levels of iodized salt. Water softeners add sodium, also known as salt; to your home’s or business’s water supply. The devices work by processing the water over synthetic resin beads containing sodium ions that remove calcium and magnesium, two minerals that make water hard. What is left is water containing salt, which is unhealthy to drink and mix with foods especially in mixing baby formula and other food preparation and let’s not forget your plants, they will die from dehydration.
2. SODIUM & POTASSIUM FREE WATER SOFTENER
These systems are known to be a DE-SCALER which does not really work on softening the water. However, it keeps minerals from depositing on the interior of the pipes and other appliances. These systems work on creating a hardness of crystals, and then the crystals do not adhere to any surfaces which results in a reduction of scale buildup over time. The salt free water softeners will leave minerals behind in the water.
WHY MIGHT YOU NOT WANT THIS WATER SOFTENER?
The problem with various manufacturers of salt-less water softeners is there are rarely any valid studies that will back up the claims that they make about their products. The manufacturers cite installations of the products successfully yet very few are able to provide detailed performances relating to flow and water hardness aspects.
We hope this article has been helpful
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