Have you ever been in a position where you use too much soap, but the water doesn’t seem to lather? Your water may be hard.
The harder the water, the harder it will be to clean. The quality of your water thus determines how you will use your cleaning products in the appropriate proportions.
Studies show that around 85% of American homes have hard water, using more cleaning products.
However, this problem can be prevented using various measures, including water softening. But then, what really is hard water?
What is Water Hardness?
Water hardness is the presence of magnesium and calcium carbonate in water due to the geological characteristics of the water source.
The presence of these minerals results from the water running through limestone. Water hardness cannot be seen using the naked eye unless it is measured.
This is because hard water is as crystal clear as soft water, not containing these minerals.
Therefore, water hardness is determined by the level of magnesium and calcium minerals present in the water. If hard water is clear, how then can you diagnose if your water is hard?
You will be able to notice chalky mineral stains on water fixtures and spots on glasses after you have washed them.
Moreover, water from taps may have less pressure due to calcium scale build up on the plumbing fixtures.
Is Hard Water Bad for Consumption?
So far, no studies show the health risks of consuming hard water. However, it makes the skin and hair very dry after using it to bathe or wash hair.
Moreover, if you often use hard water to wash your clothes, they will become stiff, and the colors will become dull faster than when using soft water.
How Do You Treat Hard Water?
Now that you understand what hard water is, you must find ways of treating it and making it soft so as to reduce the effects of hard water.
The most common method used in hard water treatment is a water softener.
A water softener is a filtration system that will filter the minerals responsible for water hardness.
When the hard water passes through the filter, it will go through a bed of resin that will trap the magnesium and calcium minerals which sodium ions will replace.
This will cause the water to become soft. The sodium ions are essential for the water softener to function well.
A brine tank is needed to store the water softener salt. The water from the brine tank containing the sodium ions will travel to the water softener tank through a regeneration process.
Afterward, it will soften the hard water and then flush out the hard water minerals.
What are the Alternatives to a Water Softener?
A water softener is the best hard water treatment method, but others can be used.
Water conditioners are also a method used to treat hard water, and it works by changing the makeup of calcium and magnesium minerals such that they do not stick to plumbing fixtures.
The water will easily flow on your pipes and you will not see any mineral deposits on surfaces.
Essentially, water conditioning does not result in soft water, but it reduces the instances of purchasing a salt to soften the water.
Also, water conditioning does not have a regenerating process, so more water is saved.
Here are 3 Tips To Prevent Hard Water Stains
Not everyone can afford to purchase sodium salt to soften water. For this reason, you should implement these tips to ensure that hard stains do not form.
- Do not let the water dry on surfaces.
- Use mineral fighting solutions.
- Clean frequently to prevent stains.
Tip No. 1: Do Not Let Water Dry on Surfaces
Hard water stains are most common on shower doors and other moist regions.
To prevent this, ensure that you keep such surfaces dry to prevent the buildup of the mineral stains.
Whenever any region prone to the hard water gets wet, wipe it with a dry cloth as soon as possible.
Tip No. 2: Use Mineral Fighting Solutions
There are non-toxic simple mineral fighting solutions to prevent and curb hard water stains.
Clean the stained areas with white vinegar and scrub them and the stains will be gone.
Tip No. 3: Clean Frequently to Prevent Stains
Prevention is the best cure, so ensure you clean moist surfaces always because the stains become tougher upon build up.
Always spray these surfaces with lemon or white vinegar, and the stubborn mineral stains won’t bother you.
Call Serv-All Water Conditioning to Soften Your Water System Today
Are you fed up with the irksome mineral buildup on your plumbing fixtures? Is the tap pressure too low? Do you find it costly to purchase the sodium salt?
Serv-All Water Conditioning will implement a water softening system that will save you from the health issues related to hard water.
Numerous contractors in Las Vegas claim to offer water cleaning systems but are not reliable in their services.
Serv-All Cleaning Conditioning will provide you with a reliable water system that fits your budget and needs.
They have numerous years of experience in their work, and all you have to do is give them a call at (833) 228-3788 or fill out their online contact form, and they will be at your doorstep.