The term, "hard water," refers to water with a high mineral content. The most common minerals that cause water hardness are calcium and magnesium. As water is absorbed into the ground, the minerals are pulled from the earth and eventually end up in a household's water supply. Hard water can clog household plumbing.
Water hardness, or how much of a mineral is present in water, is measured in grains per gallon (GPG), parts per million (PPM), or milligrams per liter (MG/L). Water up to 1 GPG is considered soft, water; from 1 to 3.5 GPG is considered moderate, and water 3.5 to 7 GPG is hard water. Kits used to test water hardness can be purchased at a pool supplier or from a water softener dealer.
Many water softeners plug right into the household water supply. Ionic exchange water softeners consist of negatively charged plastic beads, a brine tank, and a regenerating system with a timer or other monitoring device. Sodium or potassium chloride is added to the brine tank when regeneration is necessary. Home water softeners range in price from $400 to $1,200, and the salt ranges from $5 to $7 per bag. Price depends on type, size, and type of softening agent. Alternatively, magnetic water softeners consist of only 2 magnets attached to the outside or inside of water pipes.
Water softeners work by replacing ions of the minerals that cause hardness with "softer" ions. Water is filtered through charged plastic beads and the magnesium or calcium ions are replaced with sodium or potassium ions. In the case of magnetic water softeners, magnetic energy causes chemical changes in the minerals.
Using water softeners poses no health risks, except for those who are on sodium-restricted diets. Keep bottled water on hand for cooking and consumption, or use potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride to soften. Potassium chloride is more expensive than sodium chloride. There are also no health risks associated with choosing not to soften water.
About the Author
Water Softeners Info provides detailed information about magnetic and ionic exchange water softeners, home water softener systems and kits, product reviews and comparisons, water softener salt, and more. Water Softeners Info is the sister site of Dishwashers Web.
Latest News:
Better Relationship, Better Health: Couples and Singles
WebMD talks to experts about the possible health benefits of marriage and other long-term relationships
Hoping for better health (and luck), Cleveland Indians trying to bolster roster depth in 2012
The Indians were ravaged by injuries last season. To safeguard against that his year, GM Chris Antonetti has invited several big-league players to camp on minor-league deals to improve the team's depth.
Study: Reduce KY coal dependency for better health
The mining, burning and disposing of coal is sickening Kentuckians and lawmakers aren't doing enough to reduce the state's dependency on its primary energy source, according to an environmental group's new report.
Wellness Expo provides push down the path to better health
Cindy Savery, a Duncan mother of two with MS hopes to go to California for treatment with money raised from big Cowichan health fair
Kids Boxing Their Way To Better Health
A group of South Florida youngsters have been learning the sweet science as they try to get fit and stay fit.