The hardness of water is a measure of the minerals, usually calcium and magnesium, dissolved in the water. These minerals exist as positively charged ions, or cations. Water picks up these cations from rocks and sediment as it travels through the ground. Water hardness fluctuates by location, because of the different types of rock and sediment that contain a varying amount of minerals.
Hard water causes tough-to-remove scummy film on bathtubs and shower doors. This film occurs because cleaning agents to not fully dissolve in hard water, and the undissolved cleansers stick to any surface they come in contact with. This residue is also the reason clothes washed in hard water feel stiff, and your hair will seem dull after washing. The calcium and magnesium then build up in pipes, washing machines, dishwashers and other appliances. This build up results in clogged pipes, reduced flow and shortened life-span of appliances.
INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER
The cations in the water balanced by anions, or negatively charged ions. These anions determine whether the hardness is permanent or temporary. Water containing carbonate and bicarbonate anions is temporarily hard, and therefore easier to treat. Temporary hardness can be removed by boiling, which causes the carbonate ions to react with the cations. This reaction forms insoluble carbonates that precipitate out, softening the water.
Water that is permanently hard contains chloride or sulfate anions, which do not react with the cations during boiling. Just because the water is classified as permanently hard does not mean that it can't be softened. The water can be softened by an ion exchange system.
An ion exchange system treats water that has a significant amount of hardness. If a sample has two or more grains per gallon of hardness, a water softener is recommended. A water softener is also recommended if the water supply has a large amount of iron because it will effectively aid an Iron Removal System in filtering out all of the iron. Softening systems are also effective for removing manganese.
The ion exchange water softening method is a two-tank system designed to reduce the grains per gallon of hardness in your water. One tank completes the treatment, while the other tank - a brine tank - houses salt. Salt is required to regenerate the main tank's media to complete the actual treatment. There is a metered control valve at the top of the treatment tank with tubing that connects the two tanks.
Water that has been treated with a softening system is preferable for cleaning. Because cleaning agents dissolve better in soft water, there is no sticky residue left behind on tubs, clothes or hair. Soft water does not result in scale build-up in pipes, washing machines and other appliances. No build up means better pressure and longer appliance life.
Determining the level of water hardness and knowing the differences between hard and soft water is important to deciding if treatment is necessary.
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