Water softener: the ins and outs of water softening

If you've noticed a build up slag on the doors of the shower or in the dishwasher, or if you feel that the shower in your home is not leaving you as clean as did once, might have a problem with hard water.
One of the best ways to alleviate the problem is that a water softener installed to treat the water. In this article, we will discuss the details of softeners of water, why hard water is not good for your home and the difference between the softening of water conditioner and water.


The problem of hard water

Hard water is the result of magnesium minerals or metals - similar - and too much calcium in your water. These metals are purchased by the groundwater through the dissolution of the soil and rock. Water hardness is calculated by grains per gallon (GPG) or milligrams per liter (mg/L). Industry standards define a grain as 64.8 mg of calcium carbonate, and if the tests show your water is in 1 GPG or less, then you have soft water, hard water is defined in approximately 7-10.5 GPG.

Water causes hard dissolution of calcium and magnesium precipitated (scale) to accumulate in pipes, water heaters, industrial machines, etc.. The scale decreases the conduction of heat and water flow and can clog pipes completely. Another negative effect of hard water is reduced lathering of SOAP capabilities and will react with SOAP to form a sticky substance, such as slag.

How the process works

If your home or business is rife with hard water, one of the best ways to get rid of it is to have a water softener installed. The device works with the Convention that the ions of calcium and magnesium will change places with the ions resulting in soft water (i.e., sodium, etc.). The amount of sodium added to your drinking water is minimal and well below the standards of the FDA.

The ion replacement procedure is performed within a tank with resin or zeolite (small polystyrene beads). The granules contain a negative charge, which joins with the sodium ions, that they have a positive charge. Water flows through the pearls, and change the ions of sodium with calcium and magnesium ions.

Although the plastic balls "do all the work," the important salt is in the softener. The reason is that calcium and magnesium substitute sodium in pearls, and once this happens, the device is no longer able to soften the water. The solution to this problem is that the water softener into a cycle of regeneration to soak the pearls of sodium chloride (water softening salt) and sodium will cause the magnesium and calcium to shape and pearls will be recharged with sodium. The regeneration process will result in a lot of salt water (approximately 25 gallons).

Anti-aliasing or conditioning?

Many use the terms "water softener" and "water conditioners" interchangeably, but there are very large differences and used between two devices.
Water conditioners remove sediment, chlorine, chemicals and other materials foreign to the hardness of the water, and a water softener does not treat the water for anything other than hardness. Both devices are capable of processing the hardness of the water, but the result of each one feels different.

A water conditioner in the processes of water through a device that prevents the scale and produces a slight drop in pressure, and this makes the hardness minerals which will be held in a State of suspension for three days. The water flows through a catalyst that enhances the process, the magnetic field which requires the suspension of 72 hours and then through a KDF, which moves, chlorine, bad tastes and metals and blocks bacteria growth.

Thom Casey whatever articles by the author for customers of WebDrafter.com, Inc. SEM as installer of water conditioners Minnetonka Inc. of water conditioning of Haferman the ideas and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author, and not of any other person, company or organization. It makes no guarantee or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, suitability, or use of the contents in this document.