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Hardness
Hard water is water
that contains dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. Commonly referred to as
"hardness minerals," or “lime”, 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. The U.S. Geological Survey indicate that 85 percent of American
homes are supplied with hard water.
Hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg), where a
grain is a measurement of weight, or in parts per million (ppm)
(17.1 ppm = 1 gpg).
Here is what an analysis in grains per
gallon or parts per million means to you, according to the U.S. Department
of the Interior and the Water Quality Association standards:
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fewer
than 3 grains per
gallon is considered soft water |
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between 3 and 6 grains is considered moderately hard water |
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between 6 and 10.5 is considered hard water |
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anything over 10.5 is considered very hard water |
One of the most recognizable symptoms of
hard water is soap scum in the tub and shower, and hard water spots on
faucets and fixtures. According to an Ohio State University study, the
average person cleaning a home spends more than six hours a month cleaning
tap water spots, streaks, and scum. Hardness minerals react with soaps and
detergents to form an insoluble, sticky residue called soap curd or soap
scum. It is very difficult to rinse from bathtubs, sinks, faucets, and
fixtures. The same soap residue is also left on hair, skin, and clothing.
It can also cause your skin to be dry and itchy, due to the deposit of soap
and soap scum on the skin that can clog your pores. Clothing and fabrics
can fade and wear out prematurely due to the soap scum.
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Stop doing
hard time.
Start living the soft life.
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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. Expensive service calls to plumbers and appliance repair people
may become necessary as the water pressure drops and the 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 tank has to heat water
through a layer of rock. According to a study done at New Mexico State
University, water heaters work up to 30 percent less efficiently with hard
water, driving up utility bills. This is important because the water heater
is the second biggest user of energy in the home, only the furnace uses more
energy.
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