Understanding and Eliminating Hard Water Problems

Hard Water Problems

Hard water is a common problem in the United States that many homeowners have dealt with at some point. While an understanding of the common effects of hardness causing ions is the first step in appreciating that something needs to be done, a basic review of the formation of hard water and the variety of treatment approaches available can be a tremendous help in making an informed decision about the product that is most suitable for an individual's unique needs. There are many different types of softeners currently available that use a handful of techniques to either remove or alter the components of the ions that cause the adverse effects that many people are familiar with. The most appropriate product for a given situation is heavily dependent on the severity of the problem and the home owner's concern over environmental effects.

The most fundamental concept that one must understand in order to appreciate the cause of hardness is the fact that all residential water comes from a municipal supplier or well that is connected to a natural source.

Lakes and streams are very common sources that are used to provide individuals with the water that they need to survive and to carry out basic tasks in the home including washing dishes and clothes, watering plants, taking showers, and a variety of other daily routines. Natural sources are formed by the combination of rain and underground streams that work together to replenish the supply that is drawn on for consumption by human beings. As water flows through the environment, it collects and carries particles that are found naturally in the air and soil. Two of the particles found naturally in the soil are responsible for the hardness of water.

Calcium and magnesium are the two particles that are responsible for causing hardness and they are found in high concentrations in the soil found in Midwestern states. Many of the streams in the United States flow towards the center of the Country where they converge to form the major waterways that lead to the Gulf of Mexico. The large volume of water flowing towards the Midwest results in increasing concentrations of calcium and magnesium as one travels from the Coastal states toward the Central states. Individuals who live in the Midwest have far more problems with hard water than those who live on the Coasts because their water carries more of the ions that cause hardness. The concentration of these ions found in a specific area can usually be determined by contacting the local supplier directly.

Water that contains calcium and magnesium has not been shown to compromise human health, but it does result in a number of irritating effects in the home that may include things like scale deposits on the bottom of pots and pans, soap rings around the bathtubs, decreased lathering of soaps and detergents, and dry skin. Water that contains large concentrations of these ions may cause clothing to deteriorate faster and may result in scale deposits that damage hot water tanks and clog pipes. In order to eliminate these problems, most people find that it is necessary to install a softener in their home. There are many different types of products available and a general understanding of each is an important part of deciding which product is best suited to your unique needs.

The most effective type of softener is one that replaces the calcium and magnesium ions with either sodium or potassium ions. These salt-based products completely remove hardness causing ions, but they also add salt to the waste water system and may cause damage to the environment by directly contributing to the deposit of salts in streams, rivers, and agricultural areas. Alternative softeners claim to alter the structure of hardness causing ions so that they cannot accumulate as scale and are naturally washed away in the waste water system.

These systems are attached to a pipe and use an electric or magnetic current that water must pass through before entering the main plumbing network. Alternative systems are less effective, but may be appropriate in cases of minor hardness or when the homeowner is concerned about the effect on the environment.



By Owen K Moore
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8316629