What Is Hard Water?

Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. Commonly referred to as "hardness minerals," dissolved calcium and magnesium can cause numerous problems when present in a water supply. Whether it's from a well or a municipal water utility, water usually contains these troublesome elements.

Water hardness is typically measured in "grains per gallon," an indication of the quantity of dissolved calcium and magnesium the water contains. In amounts as small as one grain per gallon, water is classified as "hard" to a certain degree. Most homes use water that is considerably harder. While many families choose to soften their water by removing the calcium and magnesium with home water treatment equipment, many don't even realize they have hard water.

How Can I Recognize Hard Water?

The most recognizable symptoms of hard water are soap scum in the tub and shower, and hard water spots on faucets and fixtures. Hardness minerals react with soaps and detergents to form an insoluble, sticky residue that's difficult to rinse from bathtubs, sinks, faucets and fixtures. The same soap residue is often left on hair, skin and clothing, too. Although not highly visible in these instances, it can cause your skin to dry and itch, and clothing to fade and wear prematurely.

Hard water causes other problems, as well. Over time, scale formed from continuous contact with dissolved minerals in water can collect inside plumbing and on the internal parts of water-using appliances. Service calls to plumbers and repair persons may become necessary as water pressure drops and mechanical parts stop working.

Hard water scale can also coat the inside of a water heater and drastically reduce its heating efficiency. Greater fuel consumption and higher utility bills result when the appliance has to heat water through a layer of rock.

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What is Soft Water?

Soft water is essentially free of dissolved calcium or magnesium. A small percentage of homes are supplied with naturally soft water. But since naturally soft water usually has not been neutralized by passing through mineral layers in the ground, it can be quite corrosive. Softening water mechanically, such as with a home water softener, does not make it corrosive, however.

Since calcium and magnesium are not present in soft water, no adverse reaction with soaps and detergents occurs. The result is the virtual elimination of soap scum and the corresponding reduction in time spent cleaning. Hair and skin can "breathe" more readily.

Soap usage can be dramatically reduced with soft water. Since the water is already soft, the cleaning agents have no hardness minerals to react with and overcome, lather more readily and work more effectively. In fact, a large proportion of the ingredients in most soaps and detergents consist of chemical "water softeners" added to prevent the reaction between the detergent and the hardness minerals present in most water (the reaction that forms a sticky residue or soap curd). Since such chemicals are not necessary for cleaning with soft water, less soap is required. Soft water households experience considerable savings on laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, bath soap, hand soap, shampoo and many other cleaning products.

Since soft water contains no scale forming minerals, it leaves the inside of plumbing and water using appliances free of solidified rock. Appliances operate more efficiently and last longer when using soft water.

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How Is Water Softened?

The most common method used for softening water is ion exchange, where the dissolved calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged for sodium or potassium (commonly referred to as regenerant) ions. Sodium and potassium do not cause the problems that are associated with calcium and magnesium. The process is the basis for most water softening equipment on the market today.

Water enters a water softener where it comes in contact with a bed of tiny beads that hold sodium chloride or potassium chloride ions. Since the beads are chemically more attracted to calcium and magnesium ions, ion exchange occurs. The calcium and magnesium ions "stick" to the surface of the beads, dislodging the sodium or potassium. After the beads are completely exhausted (i.e. covered with calcium and magnesium), a solution is introduced to the system to wash away the calcium and magnesium, and replace the sodium or potassium (a process known as regeneration). After the extra solution is rinsed from the resin bed, the entire ion exchange cycle begins again.

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How Much Does A Water Softener Cost?

The cost of a water softener depends on the type of unit you need to purchase for your home's needs. The best way to look at the cost is how much money it will save you over the units lifetime.

• Save on gas or electricity. Water heater efficiency is increased 21% - 29% with softened water
• Save up to 70% on soap for the dishwasher, laundry, and bathing with softened water
• Save up to 25% on personal-care items such as hair conditioners and shaving cream with softened water
• Appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines last up to one-third longer with softened water
• Hot water heaters last up to twice as long with softened water
• Clothing will be whiter, brighter, and last longer with softened water

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How Often Do I Need To Change The Filters on My Reverse Osmosis System?

The pre and post filters are changed every 6 to 12 months and the membrane is changed every 2 to 5 years depending on your incoming water quality. Advanced Water Solutions will notify you when it is time to change your filters, and which ones need to be changed so you won't have to worry about keeping track.

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What kind of salt do you recommend using and do your softeners also use potassium chloride in place of salt?

We recommend using Solar Salt which is available at most larger hardware stores. The primary concern when buying salt for your water softener is to make sure it is very clean; around 99.5% salt content and up. All of our softeners will use potassium chloride in place of salt. Potassium chloride does tend to melt when it gets wet sometimes forming large clumps that will "bridge" inside the salt tank, so we recommend filling the brine tank only halfway or a bit more when using potassium chloride, so you can easily monitor it going down inside the tank after the unit regenerates.

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