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by Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL)

Hard Water – Is Yours Temporary or Permanent?

Although it may not be common knowledge, there can actually be a difference between the type of hard water that is supplied to homes throughout the world – water can have a ‘temporary’ or ‘permanent’ hardness. There are also common types of hard water depending on the ion (eg. magnesium or calcium) found in the water, which can cause different types of hard water stains and limescale formation.

Temporary Hardness

Temporary hardness is hardness that can be removed by boiling or by the addition of lime (calcium hydroxide). It is caused by a combination of calcium ions and bicarbonate ions in the water. By boiling the water, it promotes the formation of carbonate from the bicarbonate and will precipitate calcium carbonate (the limescale) out of solution, leaving water that is less hard after it has cooled.

When it has been heated, less carbon dioxide is able to dissolve into the water. Since there is not enough carbon dioxide around, the reaction cannot take place, and therefore the calcium carbonate will not “dissolve” as readily. Instead, the reaction is forced to re-establish equilibrium, and the solid calcium carbonate is formed. Heating water will remove hardness as long as the limescale that precipitates out is removed. After cooling, if enough time passes the water will pick up carbon dioxide from the air and the reaction will again proceed, allowing the calcium carbonate to “redissolve” in the water.

Permanent Hardness

Permanent hardness is hardness (mineral content) that cannot be removed by boiling. When this is the case, it is usually caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium sulphates and/or chlorides in the water, which become more soluble as the temperature rises. Despite the name, the hardness of the water can be easily removed using a water softener, or ion exchange column.

Hard Water Testing

If you are on a municipal water system, and would like to find out the hardness of the water to your home, the water supplier can tell you the hardness level of the water they deliver. If you have a private water supply, you can have the water tested for hardness. There are several different scales used to describe the hardness of water in different contexts.

The precise mixture of minerals dissolved in the water, together with the water’s acidity or alkalinity (pH) and temperature will determine the behaviour of the hardness, so single number on a scale does not give a full description. Descriptions of hardness correspond roughly with ranges of mineral concentrations:

Soft: 0 – 20 mg/L as calcium

Moderately soft: 20 – 40 mg/L as calcium

Slightly hard: 40 – 60 mg/L as calcium

Moderately hard: 60 – 80 mg/L as calcium

Hard: 80 – 120 mg/L as calcium

Very Hard: >120 mg/L as calcium

As a guide, 60% of the UK and 85% of the US population live in a hard water area, which can cause stubborn hard water stains on fixtures and fittings. Most water softener companies will be able to supply you with a free water testing kit. Once you’ve tested your water supply, the hardness of your water will be reported in grains per gallon, milligrams per liter (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm). One grain of hardness equals 17.1 mg/l or ppm of hardness.

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by Lance Cheung

Hard Water – Get Rid Of It Using One Simple Device

It can be very cost effective to soften hard water, as it does not readily form lather with soap. This causes the soap to be wasted when trying to form lather, and as a result a scum can form. Hard water may be easily treated to reduce the effects of scaling and to make it more usable for laundry and bathing.

The Process

A water softener works on the idea of cation or ion exchange in which ions of the hardness minerals are exchanged for sodium or potassium ions, consequently reducing the concentration of hardness minerals to tolerable levels.

One of the most economical ways to soften household water is with an ion exchange water softener. This unit uses table salt (sodium chloride) to recharge beads made up of the ion exchange resin that exchange hardness mineral ions for sodium ions. As the hard water passes in between and around the beads, the hardness mineral ions are absorbed, displacing the sodium ions. This process is called ion exchange.

When the bead or sodium zeolite has a low concentration of sodium ions left, it is no longer effective, and therefore is unable to soften water. However, if the resin is recharged by flushing (often back-flushing) with saltwater it can be re-used. The high excess concentration of sodium ions alter the equilibrium between the ions in solution and the ions held on the surface of the resin, resulting in replacement of the hardness mineral ions on the resin with sodium ions. After this the resulting saltwater and mineral ion solution must then rinsed away, and the resin is ready to start the process all over again. This cycle can be repeated over and over to re-charge the device.

In industry, the same softening process methods are used, but on a much larger scale. These methods create an large amount of salty water that is costly dispose of. Temporary hardness, caused by hydrogen carbonate (or bicarbonate) ions, can be removed by boiling. For example, calcium hydrogen carbonate, often present in temporary hard water, is boiled in a kettle to remove the hardness. In the process, a scale forms on the inside of the kettle in a process known as “furring of kettles”. This scale is composed of calcium carbonate.

Hardness can also be reduced with a lime-soda ash treatment. In 1841, a process was developed by Thomas Clark that involves the addition of slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) to a hard water supply which converts the hydrogen carbonate hardness to carbonate, which precipitates and can be removed by filtration:

The addition of sodium carbonate also softens hard water containing calcium sulphate, as the calcium ions form calcium carbonate which precipitates out and sodium sulphate is formed which is soluble. The calcium carbonate formed sinks to the bottom, and the sodium sulphate has no effect on the hardness of water.

As you can see there are some relatively simple ways to eradicate hard water from your water supply, as well as the hard water stains that it causes. The processes have been around for a long time in some cases, and are available to use to stop the negative effects that having hard water in your home can bring.

Warm Regards,

Patrick Henry

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by elycefeliz

Hard Water Stains – Cheap Ways to Remove Them From Your Kitchen

Hard water stains in the kitchen can be very tough to remove with ordinary cleaners. However, with the right approach they are easily eliminated from glasses, bowls, tea pots and kettles.

As you may already know, elbow grease is a poor weapon in the fight against lime scale, but with some basic chemistry knowledge you will be able to will dissolve those annoying hard water stains and remove them from your kitchen items in no time at all.

Abrasives may scour off stains, but if used regularly, harsh abrasives will gradually scratch the finish of glasses and bowls as well as other kitchen items causing unwanted damage. Coarse abrasives will also damage plastic, glass, plated and highly polished metals. Chlorine bleach can help remove stains, however, it can dull shiny finishes of porcelain enamel surfaces.

Acids also have an ability to remove hard water deposits and are typically found in toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers, metal cleaners and kitchen/bathroom cleaners that remove mineral deposits. However, there are some natural acids all around your home that can be easily used to get rid of hard water stains and limescale. They have been used for centuries for a variety of different purposes, but are also great for removing stubborn stains. These natural solutions are white vinegar and lemon juice…see below for some really simple ways of using them to remove stains from common kitchen items.

Natural Formula to Use:

Equal parts white vinegar and water, plus squeeze of lemon juice

Methods to Use:

Glasses and Bowls:

1. Make up enough solution to cover the cookware

2. Allow to soak for 15 minutes to one hour

3. Rinse thoroughly

Cookware:

1. Make up enough solution to cover the cookware

2. Allow to soak for 30 minutes to one hour

3. Rinse thoroughly

Teapots and Kettles:

1. Make up enough solution to cover the base of the teapot or elements of the kettle

2. Allow to soak for 20 minutes to one hour

3. Rinse thoroughly

Tip:

If the hard water stains and limescale are still present after soaking, try heating up the solution on a hob to aid the removal.

Warm Regards,

Patrick Henry

HardWaterStainsTips

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by \!/_PeacePlusOne

Water Conditioners – The Environmentally Friendly and Low Cost Solution to Combat Hard Water

Have you ever traveled to another part of the US and noticed a difference in how your skin and hair felt after showering?  Depending on where you are in the country, you may find yourself using more cleanser than you’re accustomed to. For more than 85% of American homes, this is the reality of living with hard water – the hardest occurring in the Southwest region of the country including southern California. Hard water in simple terms means it has a high mineral content, with calcium and magnesium dissolved in water being the two most common minerals that make water “hard.” The degree of hardness becomes greater as the calcium and magnesium content increases.

While hard water is not a health risk, it is important to pay attention to how hard your water is for many reasons. Hard water causes scaling, which is the leftover mineral deposits that are formed after hard water has evaporated. This is also known as limescale. The scale can clog pipes, ruin water heaters, produce mineral buildup on fixtures and give you poor soap and/or detergent performance. On an industrial scale, hard water should be avoided as it can cause costly breakdowns in boilers, cooling towers, and other equipment that comes in contact with water. Hard water can also have a significant impact on your wallet. Here’s just a few hard water problems you may have experienced:

* The need for continuous laundering, which can damage fibers and shorten the life of clothes by up to 40 percent.

* Bathing with soap in hard water leaves a film of sticky soap curd on the skin. The film may prevent removal of soil and bacteria.

* When washing dishes, especially in a dishwasher, hard water may cause spotting and/or leave a film.

* Hard water also contributes to inefficient and costly operation of water-using appliances.

* Pipes can become clogged with scale that reduces water flow and ultimately requires pipe replacement. Limescale has been known to increase energy bills by up to 25%

So what can you do to offset the unwanted effects of hard water? When looking for a hard water solution, it may be worth trying a water conditioner first as they will often be significantly cheaper than a water softener, and more environmentally friendly, since they use little to no water and energy in its process. Water conditioners come with a low purchase and installation cost (easy DIY install), in addition to a low running cost.

When looking at hard water solutions, water conditioners are a great alternative to water softeners. In softened water the calcium and magnesium content is replaced with sodium, increasing the sodium content of the water, potentially making it unsuitable for drinking. In conditioned water, the calcium ions remain suspended in the water as small particles, but their propensity to form limescale is reduced. Additionally, conditioned water has the added benefit of the calcium remaining in the water, which is a good dietary mineral.  Water conditioners help protect Reverse Osmosis units, eliminate harmful effects of hard water scale, improve plant growth, and makes soaps and detergents go further.  All good news for the maintenance of your home and ultimately your wallet!

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by bootload

HARD WATER SOLUTIONS GOING GREEN

HARD WATER SOLUTIONS GOING GREEN

 

89.3% of homes in the United States have issues with hard water, which refers to the dissolved mineral content of the water. Hard water can cause limescale, which is the left over mineral deposits in your water that build up in your pipes and appliances. Limescale build up contributes to the inefficiency of water-using appliances, which can significantly increase energy consumption.  According to the US Department of Energy, as little as 1/32” of scale build up on a hot water heater or boiler can cause a 10% increase in energy usage. A 1/4” of build up can increase costs upwards of 40%.  Limescale build up can also cause hot water heaters, swimming pool pumps and other appliances to prematurely stop working. Limescale can also clog pipes reducing the flow of water and can leave unsightly deposits on faucets, tile, toilet bowls and tubs.

 

Water hardness does depend on location, the source of the water and the water’s exposure to sub-surface rocks and limestone. Wells and aquifers typically have the hardest water, although it is not unheard of for some public water supplies to have hard water as well. There are several options for determining water hardness, whether it be contacting your local water company or purchasing a simple to use water quality test kit, like the one sold by www.amiservices.us

 

Treatments for addressing hard water are varied.  Often, the solutions of choice are the use of filters, water softening agents or ion exchange units, which use sodium chloride or potassium chloride. These treatments require regular monitoring and are costly due to need for maintenance and the use of consumable parts.  Additionally, these solutions should not be considered ecologically friendly due to concerns for the environmental impact from the use of chemicals and the discharge of brine water (sodium) into aquifers and accumulated waste in landfills from spent filters. 

 

Today, being ecologically sensitive and using green products has become of the utmost importance across the globe. Magnetic and electrical signal devices offer a far more environmentally friendly means of eliminating hard water deposits, as there is no salt or chemicals to affect the ground water or plant life.  AMI Services offers two such solutions for addressing hard water through the use of magnetic devices and devices that emit electrical signals directly into the water system.  The Magnetizer and the Hydrocare HC-38 prevent limescale and reduce the damage associated with limescale, extending the life of standard home appliances and hot water systems by naturally softening the water through reduced surface tension.  The Magnetizer and the Hydrocare HC-38 work on all types and sizes of pipes and installation for both is simple and do not require a plumber. Both are reliable, efficient and maintenance free with no consumable parts.  While both the Magnetizer and the HydroCare HC-38 reduce energy costs, it is the Magnetizer Hard Water Solution that is a truly ‘green’ product, as it requires no power to operate.    

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