Posts Tagged ‘Hard water’
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
Many types of treatment systems are available to address a variety of water issues. Some treatments deal with hard water only while others actually purify contaminated water to make it safe for human consumption. Following are some common water treatment methods and the problems that they correct.
Water Conditioners – Addresses hard water only. Prevents lime scale without adversely affecting the drinkability of the water. Improves the efficiency of soaps. Improves heating efficiency and extends the life of appliances that use water. Water conditioning systems, such as ScaleWatcher, are inexpensive to own and operate. (more…)
Tags: Appliances, Drinking water, Hard water, WATER, water softener, Water treatment
Posted in Appliances, Home, WATER | No Comments »
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Hard water is a widespread problem in the UK that affects over 60% of British homes. The term hard water simply refers to water that contains minerals. There are three possible solutions to the problem of hard water – chemical cleaners, a conventional water softening system and an electronic or magnetic descaler.
Chemical Cleaners
Various chemical cleaning products are available to deal with the problem after it occurs. Designed to dissolve the residue that hard water leaves behind, these products must be used regularly. Not only are chemical cleaners a lot of work, requiring frequent scrubbing, they also cause wastewater pollution. (more…)
Tags: Energy, Environment, Hard water, Utilities, WATER, Water Resources, Water supply
Posted in Appliances, DIY, Eco, Home, WATER | No Comments »
Monday, January 18th, 2010
What’s the difference? A water softener filters out dissolved minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, while a water filter removes particulate matter and some pathogens. Water contaminants tend to be specific to certain areas; for more information, check out the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s database of regional water quality reports.
Hard Water
If you find that your water combines with soap to form a scummy grey film instead of suds, or if your water tends to leave “rings” in the tub, you may have “hard water” full of minerals. (more…)
Tags: Drinking water, Hard water, Water filter, Water softening
Posted in Appliances, Health, Scalewatcher, WATER | No Comments »
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Anybody that has grown up with and become accustomed to soft water in their home will most likely never choose to go without it. However, is it really necessary to have a water softener? Absolutely necessary? No. A great idea? Definitely. And here’s why:
Hard water contains a significant amount of dissolved minerals in it. That may not seem like anything worth giving much thought to. In reality though, these minerals can be the culprits of many common issues and problems with everything ranging from the cleanliness of your bathroom to the look and feel of your clothing (more…)
Tags: Hard water, WATER, Water softening
Posted in Appliances, Home, Interesting, Scalewatcher, WATER | No Comments »
Monday, September 21st, 2009
- Image via Wikipedia
The convenience of a dishwasher simplifies kitchen chores, while easily sanitising crockery, pans and utensils. However, a dishwasher can begin to show signs of fading in a household with hard water. Homeowners begin to notice that crockery comes out of the wash cycle with a white build up. Glasses, which used to come out of the dishwasher clear and sparkling, are now covered in a filmy layer. Stains begin to appear on the interior from the build up of hard water minerals. Although these minerals do not pose any real health risks, they do decrease the effectiveness of the appliance and increase costs of running it.
Calcium and magnesium, the two main minerals in hard water, do not only form their deposits on dishes and the inner walls of the dishwasher. These mineral deposits also build up within the water lines and the heating elements, which affects the service life of the appliance. The accumulation of lime scale is responsible for many appliance repairs and increased household bills. Hard water also affects the amount of dishwasher detergent used for each wash cycle, requiring more detergent for a thorough clean. (more…)
Tags: Calcium, Detergent, Dishwasher, Energy, Hard water, Magnesium, Mineral, WATER
Posted in Appliances, Home, Scalewatcher, WATER | No Comments »
Sunday, August 30th, 2009
If you have hard water, scale build-up or calcium deposits, looking into an electronic water conditioner is a smart move. There are many reasons why you should consider purchasing one. (more…)
Tags: Energy, Hard water, WATER, Water heating
Posted in Appliances, Home, WATER | No Comments »
Friday, August 28th, 2009
- Image by Tym via Flickr
Doing the wash at home is a convenience that many people easily take for granted. However, even a generation ago, washing machines were not standard appliances in homes. The UK Statistics Authority showed that in 1981, only 78% homes in the UK had a washing machine. By 2008, this number increased to 96% . However, these washers prove less effective when a home has hard water. The minerals running through the laundry cycle leave deposits on clothing, while the scale can build up within appliances.
Some people might not realize that they have hard water, but laundry can show the signs. Coloured clothing dulls easily, while white clothing turns yellow or grey. Clothes feel dingy and stiff. Using liquid fabric softer might seem like an answer, but this is no substitute for water treatment. Even with a large amount of fabric softeners, the minerals in the water still run through the wash cycle, leaving deposits on clothes. (more…)
Tags: Basket, Clothing, Energy, Environment, Hard water, Laundry, laundry basket, WATER, Water treatment
Posted in Appliances, Bathroom, Home, Scalewatcher, WATER | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
Most people understand water’s essential role in everyday life, but many don’t recognize the problems of hard water affecting their households. Over 50% of the United Kingdom is affected by hard water. Many people overlook this matter, even as the evidence flows from the tap. However, homeowners can significantly reduce energy loss and avoid the associated financial burdens by addressing any issues with hard water.
According to the Environmental Protections Agency, hard water contains a large amounts of minerals, usually calcium and magnesium. As it moves from aquifers to household pipes, hard water carries mineral deposits that build up, crystallizing in pipes, collecting within heating tanks and slowing heat transfer. (more…)
Tags: Dishwasher, Drinking water, electronic water conditioner, Equipment, Hard water, hard water problem, Scalewatcher, solution for hard water, WATER, Water heating, Water Resources, water softener
Posted in Appliances, Scalewatcher, WATER | No Comments »
Thursday, June 18th, 2009
Hard water — mineral rich, poor tasting, and scaling-producing water — is a problem throughout the country. It is something that must be dealt with; otherwise, a mineral residue is left in pipes and fixtures, leading to potential blockages and even damage to hot water heaters and other devices.
Moreover, mineral-rich water does not react well with soap to form a good lather, which means that showering is not as effective in getting oneself clean. That’s why we should probably do something with hard water problem to increase our comfort of life. (more…)
Tags: Drinking water, Hard water, hard water problems, Magnesium, Mineral, Salt, WATER, water conditioner, Water heating, water softener
Posted in DIY, Scalewatcher, WATER | No Comments »
Thursday, June 18th, 2009
Lime scale is an alkaline deposit that is caused by hard water. The deposit presents as a white chalky residue. It is often found in bathrooms and kitchens around faucets. The build up can eventually cause a restricted water flow, so it is very important to maintain your fixtures and appliances so they do not build up an excess of lime scale.
Lime scale can aslo be found on small appliances, such as coffeemakers and tea kettles. Basically, anywhere you use tap water, lime scale may develop. There is a way to clean the lime away without causing any damage to the fixtures and appliances. (more…)
Tags: Hard water, Home and Garden, lime scale, limescale, Plumbing, water softener
Posted in Cleaning Tips, DIY | 1 Comment »
[photo by: darkpatator]
