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Frequently Asked Questions
Hard water is water which contains the natural inorganic elements of calcium and magnesium in solution, on the molecular level. The Water Quality Association, the National Association of water industry members, has determined the specific levels of water hardness in the raw water, for usage across the country. They are:
If you were to a boil the water - turn it to gas, the resulting solids would be elements in the water, as those elements do not evaporate. These elements are referred to as scale. This is very evident in a teapot and is why it has to be cleaned with acid or vinegar (a mild acid). This scale also builds up in hot water heaters and pipes, dishwasher heating elements, and causes spots on dishes and other water using fixtures. What does a water softener do? A water softener is a water treatment unit that has a tank with resin (ionic exchange beads) and a regeneration valve with a control mechanism. The unit regenerates periodically, which allows an ionic exchange process to take place in and around the resin beads inside the resin vessel. Water hardness, calcium and magnesium, in some amounts of iron are exchanged on a molecular level for sodium. This is called the exchange process. The resulting water is referred to as "softened water" as the hardness is absent. There is no level of softness, only levels of hardness. Why do I get blotchy yellow or orange stains on my laundry? As you are filling your washing machine the water flows down onto the clothing. The clothing will act as a filter, letting the water passes through, but catching the rust or iron particles in your water. Sometimes the use of bleach will also cause the iron to come out of the water and attach to the material in the washer. Why does my water heater crackle what it is heating? The elements of hardness cause a scale buildup on the heat exchange surface in a water heater. When cold water enters the water heater and the heater turns on, the scale expands and contracts creating a crackling sound. This same scale buildup creates inefficiency in the operation of the water heater resulting in wasted money for hot water. Why do I get white solid stuff in the bottom of my glass of ice water? When you freeze hard water, the hardness precipitates out of suspension, becoming a solid. When the ice cubes melt, the solids drop to the bottom of your glass. This material is the inorganic elements from your raw hard water supply. What causes the ring around my bathtub? The ring around your bathtub is caused by the physical reaction between the soap and the hardness in the water. This forms what we call soap curd. When it dries, harsh cleaning chemicals are needed to remove it, possibly causing damage to the finish on your tub or tile. This same soap curd stays in your clothes during the washing of your clothes, causing shortened life of the material. Is softened water good for my hair? Absolutely! With no soap curd from hard water, tests show that hair washed in soft water will reflect a 50% more sunlight than hair washed in hard water. The same soap curd from hard water that forms on your bathtub and tile will coat your hair, causing it to become dull and brittle. If your raw water is rusty and contains iron, it can even discolor your hair to an orange or yellow color. Can hard water cause problems with my skin? Yes! Again that same soap curd from hard water can coat your skin and clog your skin pores causing dry and itchy skin. Some people even break out in a rash. One major concern is tender skin of newborn babies and infants. Their delicate skin seems to be even more sensitive to these hard water problems. How expensive are water treatment systems? A state-of-the-art water treatment system from EcoWater Systems will pay for itself. Conditioned water helps your water heater run more efficiently, reducing energy bills. It requires less detergent to wash clothes and it’s easy on your pipes, fixtures and water-using appliances. Treated water can even brew a pot of coffee using fewer coffee grounds. And drinking water produced by a reverse osmosis (RO) filtration system is far more economical than the cheapest bottled water. Isn’t my municipal water treated? Many municipalities treat water with chlorine to kill bacteria. A few even soften water. But their goal is to only meet minimum federal requirements. To eliminate chlorine aftertaste and common water problems, an in-home water treatment system is often necessary. The first step to improving your family’s water is to identify your specific problem. Are there reddish-brown iron stains in your sink, shower or tub? Does your bathtub have a hard water ring? Does your water look dirty or cloudy? Does it smell sometimes? For these and other common problems, your EcoWater Systems dealer can conduct in-home water tests and recommend the perfect solution. |
