Water is just hydrogen and oxygen molecules when it drops from clouds
onto our heads, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans or simply onto the ground. Once water hits the ground it begins to pick up parts of
minerals and the more minerals it contains the ‘harder’ it becomes.
Hard water is a very common problem, affecting water in more than 85% of
the country. It is a result of the dissolved minerals calcium, magnesium and manganese.
With an increase in these minerals many problems occur such as, soap scum in
sinks and bathtubs, bathtub rings, spots on dishes or shower doors, reduced
foaming and cleaning abilities of soaps and detergents, dingy and yellowed
clothes with soapy residues that require extra rinsing to remove, clogged pipes
from buildup of minerals, increased water heating costs from buildup of
minerals, reducing efficiency of water heaters and possible skin infections
from bacteria trapped in pores underneath soap scum. While these are all
unpleasant effects hard water is not a hazard to human health and can be
treated.
If you suspect that you have hard water it can be tested. When results
are returned to you and your water is found to be hard there are a few options
available to you. The most common way to soften water is through an ion exchange water softener. This system
works by exchanging positively charged hardness minerals with positively
charged softness minerals on a resin surface that is regenerated. This exchange
of minerals softens the water and can extend the life of plumbing systems since
there is reduced clogging in the pipes.
Many of us enjoy hard water particularly for drinking because it tends
to taste better. Yet hard water
for washing can leave mineral deposits on dishes, clothing and hair. You may
not feel as clean when you shower in it and over time your clothing can become
dingy along with your hair lackluster and dull if it’s repeatedly washed in hard water.
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