Why Water Softeners Need Salt

Many people have water softeners in their homes. Many of you that do don't understand how a softener works. Sure, it allows you to use less detergent in the laundry and your soap lathers much better in the shower, but how does it work?

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Hardness in water is actually calcium. Hardness is also a few trace minerals like magnesium and iron, but the majority of this hardness is calcium. Calcium, when dissolved in water forms what's called a cation. That is, it takes on a positive charge.

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All this calcium is what makes soap harder to lather, which makes it undesirable in your water for cleaning purposes. Many people who live in areas with very hard water will install a water softener to take out all the hardness.

A water softener is simply a vessel filled with thousands and thousands of little beads called an ion exchange resin. The resin will remove the calcium from the water in a process called ion exchange. This process can remove the calcium in your water only by substituting another element in its place. In this case, the element is sodium.

The salt you add to your softener is actually sodium chloride. When introduced into water, it dissolves into two compounds: A positively charged sodium atom and a negatively charged chloride atom. As the water passes through this resin, the resin takes a calcium ion and gives up a sodium ion.

The end result is a concentration of sodium ions in your water in place of the calcium ions, and sodium ions do not contribute to hardness in your water.

Eventually the resin becomes depleted of all of it's sodium ions so it must be replenished. This is what happens when your softener system goes into backwash. If flushes out all the calcium to drain and replenishes all of the sodium lost to the ion exchange process.

This is why your softener needs salt and why you must keep replacing it.

It's a good method for making nice soft water for cleaning, but remember: The calcium is replaced with sodium on a 1:1 basis. This may mean that you end up with a large amount of sodium in your water which is not good for people with hypertension and heart disease. If you do install a softener, it is in your best interest to have the plumber bypass the lines to your kitchen sink so you can use this water for drinking and cooking without high concentrations of sodium.

Why Water Softeners Need Salt

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Electric Water Heater Repair

What are the common problems and how to troubleshoot electric water heater? Use the guide below to see the main reasons for your electric water heater repair. Do you have a problem with the thermostat, heating elements or there is no hot water? OK, let's find out more about troubleshooting and fixing the heater and what you should know to order repair parts.

For almost every problem or condition that is related to your electric heater there is a number of different causes. Here are some:

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Problem: Why my electric water heater doesn't produce hot water?

Solution: If there is no electric power in the heater check the fuses or circuit breaker. Use the manufacturer manual to check are the wiring connections properly installed at the heater's terminals. Remove oxidation from the wiring and if the connection is loose, fix it. If your heating element is gone due to the lime build up, high voltage, heater vibration or dry-firing (heating element was not fully immersed in the water when it was ON) do not try to repair it, buy a new element and simply replace it. Check the thermostat and if it is faulty replace it. When replacing any of the faulty components try to match parameters.

Problem: Electric water heater produces insufficient hot water

Solution: You might have the undersized heater. Next time try correctly to dimension your water heating system. Repair the leaking hot water faucets or tank drain if needed. Drain and flush your electric water heater regularly to remove the sediment build up. If the thermostat is set too low increase the temperature of the outgoing water. Thermostat should be working properly and mounted flash with the tank; if it is loose correct it. Use the insulation jacket for the heater and insulation for pipes to reduce the heat loss. Check the bottom heating element for the open circuit or if it is grounded, replace it.

Problem: How to repair slow hot water recovery?

Solution: One of the common causes for the slow hot water recovery is the lime build up on the heating elements. If the water is too hard use the water softener, otherwise clean the elements. but be careful not to damage the copper sheath. If the thermostat is misplaced, position it per manufacturer's instruction. Check is the dip tube improperly installed on the hot water line.

Problem: Too expensive to operate electric water heater

Solution: Reduce the temperature on the thermostat if it is set too high. Check for leaks on the hot water tap, around heating elements, heater nipples and the tank drain... that is a pure energy and money waste. If your water heater and the pipeline are not insulated, especially during the winter time, do so. Use the insulation blanket for the heater.

Problem: Noise

Solution: Lime formation on the heating element or in the tank is the reason why the water heater produces a rumbling, pounding or sizzling noise. Use the fine brush to clean the lime scale from the elements.

Before you try to repair the electric water heater, call the company the unit was purchased from to order the part. To get the right part always provide the following info: Model number, serial number and part description.

Other problems related to the electric water heaters might include heating elements, anode rod, water odor and unusual taste, hot water fluctuation...

Electric Water Heater Repair

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What Can an Electronic Water Descaler Do For Me?

There are many benefits from having an electronic water descaler fitted in your home. This article provides reasons why it is something that all families should consider as an addition to their home safety plan.

So what is an electronic water descaler?

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An electronic water descaler deals with limescale deposits caused by hard water, which effects approximately 60% of homes in the UK. Other methods such as magnetic descalers, and ion exchange softeners, can be expensive and ineffective in comparison.

The Benefits

Effectively reduce "scum" within baths and sinks. Softens water with using chemical. Low cost solution. Helps to maintain pipe-work within the house, including boilers, storage tanks, radiators, showers, washing machines. Easy to fit. No moving parts. Low level maintenance. Indicates internal or external system faults. Has no adverse effect on the the chemical composition of the water. Enjoy the benefits of softer water, e.g. kinder to skin. Avoids using environmentally damaging cleaning materials. Heating costs are reduced by avoiding the use of more fuel as flow is reduced by limescale.
How soon will I notice the benefits

As soon as it is installed the unit will begin to soften the water and prevent further build up of limescale from occurring. Deposits that have built up over many years take longer to eliminate, but will disappear as softer water passes through the pipes. It can take months to eliminate limescale deposits, but when you consider some of these have taken decades to build up, it is a relatively quick process.

What Can an Electronic Water Descaler Do For Me?

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Water Softeners

Water softening is probably the most popular of all water treatment technologies. Although there is much mis-conception about how a water softener works, the end result of a proper application is always the same. Water softeners bring most families a much higher quality of household water. Mineral deposits are eliminated. Water spots on shower walls and glassware, gone! Laundry comes out cleaner and softer. No more soap deposits left in the clothing causing itching and rashes. The total overall quality of the water improves, and truly does feel "softer".

water softener shower head

When is a water softener needed? Just about any time the water comes from a ground water source such as a dug or drilled well. About the only time one can argue against the benefits of water softening is if the water is drawn from a surface supply such as a lake. Even rivers generally pick up mineral content as they flow over the ground and become "hard water".

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Water hardness is measured in grains of hardness per gallon or liter. It can also be measured in PPM with 17.1 ppm per one grain of hardness. Water over 7 grains hard begins to benefit from the effects of water softening. At 10 grains the effects of softening are readily noticeable. At 15 grains of hardness rush out and buy a water softener, you will be pleased you did.

David's believe-it-or-not says the most common complaint I have heard about the effects of soft water are: No 1-the dishes are very slippery when wet (true) and No 2- my hair has gone all pouffy! (true again-the mineral deposits are gone!)

How does a water softener work? Does a water softener leave salt in my water? Let's get this straight once and for all. A water softener works on a system called "ion exchange". For every grain of hardness (calcium/magnesium) your water softener takes out of the water-IT MUST REPLACE IT WITH AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF SALT. Let me repeat this. The softener exchanges the calcium with salt. The calcium is actually a salt as well, so I should properly say that the calcium salts are replaced with sodium salts. If the softener works perfectly, the exchange would be exact but this is not possible. There is always more salt left in the water than the amount of calcium it removed. The ratio of exchange used to be terrible, and still is in some older model systems. But many newer technologies incorporate systems of rinsing that reduce the left over salt in your water to very acceptable standards. The exchange can be measured with a TDS meter which every salesman should carry, or he is not testing your water properly. The increase in TDS from your feed water to your product water will identify how much excessive salt is left behind. An efficient softener leaves less salt behind than in one gallon of water than is found in one piece of white bread.

A water softener should not be installed where a sodium restricted diet is recommended. Although I would suggest that the softener still be installed if the water warrants the application, and a reverse osmosis unit be placed in the kitchen to remove the salt, and all other impurities, for cooking and drinking water. Water softeners will often remove small amounts of iron from your water. But this will increase the salt used, and the salt left behind. Larger amounts of iron, over 1mg/ltr will cause excessive salt use, and eventually foul the bed of the softener. A water softener should not be used as the primary means of reducing iron in water.

Another consideration in softening is your septic system. Water softeners rinse large amounts of salt into your drain water. If you are on a septic system, as many rural systems are, you will damage the cement holding tank and salt will harm vegetation in the area where the septic is located. Potassium Chloride is a suitable replacement under these circumstances, or if you just want to be more environmentally conscious in your water treatment application. Potassium is far less corrosive and does not have as much negative impact on the environment. Potassium is also often recommended as a sodium replacement for people on salt restricted diets. (although my preference where health concerns are an issue, is the application of a reverse osmosis after the softener).

Saltless Water Softeners? RUBBISH! There are no saltless water softeners which have been tested and certified. But lots of them have been tested and discarded as rubbish. The Water Quality Association is an organization which is there to inform and protect the public in regards to the water treatment industry. To my knowledge they have tested many electronic, electric, or magnetic devices and found that none of them remove one grain of hardness from water. Some of these devices will reduce scaling, the effect of mineral deposits sticking to surfaces, but none of them remove anything from the water. Once again, I see this as dealerships and sales people who just want to get the sale, so they give the customer what the customer wants. A magic wand. Well I can supply you with magic wands for .29 so don't pay more than that for any magic wands. I am sure these statements will ruffle some feathers, but until I see the WQA certifying a saltless water softener, I will stick to my statements.

If you install a water softener in your home, and keep it for six months to get used to it, you will not likely ever be without one. I have had mine for 14 years now. Yup, the same one. Make a wise purchase and you will have a long lasting piece of equipment.

I have said many times, " a wise and educated consumer makes wise choices". Your water, your health, your responsibility.

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Culligan Water Filters - The Brand For Clean Water

It is important for all living things to have pure and clean water which is healthy to drink. Water is as much a part of people's lives for they use it every day 24/7.

People need water not only for drinking but also for washing the clothes they wear, brushing teeth, watering the plants, taking a bath etc. Before water on our planet was fresh and clean, but today water may not be as clean as it was before.

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The water today is contaminated with many substances there is only few percent left that are still clean and fresh. And because of this contaminants that are present in it people have became cautious in protecting their families' health.

Water filters became more and more popular, to every home, office and in any establishment. This is one device that could help remove the unwanted substance that you could find in the water.

One of these filtration devices are Culligan water filters that help clean and removes some harmful substance in your water. Here is some of the Culligan water filters that you need to know.

Preferred Series: This is the most basic way of water filtration in Culligan and has 3 different sizes. You'll just put it onto your water tap and it helps filter your water. Inside of each device have various filters which filter the water.

Good Water Machine: This device has 3 different tools in which to filter water including large jags that could store water. This machine helps by adding pressure in order to help reduce the maximum amount of sediments.

Various point-of-use filters: This device is connected to the water lines other water dispensing tools or on a refrigerator. If you use this device you don't need to install an under sink water filter.

Iron-Cleer tank system: helps oxidizes the iron away from your drinking water.

Culligan is one of the best and is known for having good water filtration systems and devices. Here are some tips if you want to buy water filters.

Water filters help to clean polluted water and gives us a healthier and clean water to drink. You just need to choose the right one that will suit your home.

Culligan Water Filters - The Brand For Clean Water

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Healthy Living - Water Softener Or Water Filter?

Water, the substance we depend on for survival; odorless, colorless and tasteless yet fundamental to the survival of all life. It will dissolve nearly everything it comes in contact with and carry that substance with it. Knowing that our water supply is safe is important; and knowing potential problems with the water coming into our home and how to make it safer is equally important.

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There are a number of potential problems that can occur along the way with water that comes into our homes; among them, high levels of calcium, minerals and sediment, otherwise known as hardness. Hard water can really be damaging to your home's plumbing and appliances. For many years people have been turning to softeners, also known as conditioners, that use salt to neutralize minerals causing water to be "hard."

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When home owners are on municipal sewage systems the salt brine from softeners or conditioners backwashes into the system. Sodium makes its way into the nation's waterways. Those same waterways eventually become the water supply to other homes further down the stream. In areas where softeners are frequently used, large amounts of sodium have become quite a challenge! Municipal water departments are unable to bear the expense of reverse osmosis systems in order to remove the sodium, so they have no choice but to allow it on through to their customers. In some cities, sodium from water softeners has become such a challenge they have banned the use of salt brine conditioners altogether.

Beyond the challenges of sodium in the system, softeners/conditioners do nothing to address the larger problems of contamination. Cysts, chemicals and disinfection byproducts, pharmaceuticals and other carcinogens numbering in the hundreds are in the public and well water supplies. Conditioned water may help your plumbing, but it does absolutely nothing to address the real dangers to you health posed by these contaminants.

Some softener companies are going door to door or doing telephone solicitation to get into your home to sell their salt brine systems. They are promoting these systems as if they are home filtration systems. Unfortunately, their demo is pretty impressive and so are their claims. The price tag is pretty impressive too. That is, if "impressive" means up to 00.00! That's a lot of dough to make your pipes happy!

There is a new, state-of-the-art alternative that provides not only the ultimate in water softening, but the ultimate in purification as well. It's called Nano-filtration.

Nano-filtration is a system that combines the best of available technologies. It does not waste two-thirds of the water coming into the system as reverse osmosis does. And it does not add salt as conditioners do. Nano-filtration works with an advanced hollow carbon technology that is far superior to old fashioned carbon block or activated carbons. Then it forces the water through a membrane to remove everything down to .0001 microns! What does that mean to you? It means everything that could possibly be harmful to your health or your home is not getting through - even if your water source is an untreated lake or stream . Viruses, bacteria, fluoride, arsenic, lead, copper, trace pharmaceuticals, endocrine disrupting chemicals, hormones - everything you hear about in the news that makes you cringe to think about drinking and bathing in is no longer getting to you or your children. It means true peace of mind.

Nano-Filtration systems are not inexpensive - that is, unless you compare them to the hugely expensive softening systems. By comparison, they cost thousands of dollars less and give you far more protection for your money! Nano-Filtration is the solution that is truly "Good for You and Mother Earth Too!"

Healthy Living - Water Softener Or Water Filter?

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Mobile Water Treatment Unit Helpful after Flooding and Disaster

Mobile water treatment units can be attached to a trailer and it can be rented for location projects. The unit is equipped usually with a reverse osmosis treatment membrane as well as filters and other steps to filter and clean water.

With a combination of the reverse osmosis and softening elements, the water is able to filter out water and give the water some balance. As you know, hard water consists of magnesium and calcium, when you add softeners it is able to neutralize the magnesium and calcium.

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Reducing the fluoride in the water

They also will reduce chlorides and sulfur in the water, as well as, take out arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, and other ions that can cause heavy metal poisoning. It will allow you to clean the water in order to reuse it. They are used when it comes to oil field brine and mining tailings (or water recovered from within the mines). It is considered an industrial waste treatment, because it cleans the water that is found and then it separates the waste.

These systems are to clean the groundwater or storm water that is found in construction areas. It will work well when the air is highly contaminated with some type of micro-particles. Mobile water treatments will place drinking water chemicals into he water that is pumped.

Most of these machines can hold up to 12,500 gallons of water. It will discharge the solid material and sediments and is constantly processing the water so that it can eliminate as much of those contaminates as possible. The intake and discharge is sixty gallons of water a minute, so it is constantly taking more water in and releasing clear water.

Reducing problems with drinking water

The reason why many companies will rent this machines is so that they can get rid of the water that blocks or prohibits them from working and allowing the water to become cleaned and emptied into man holes. This is one way that construction and mining companies can be socially responsible. They clean the water before they dispose of them so that it doesn't harm anyone when they dispose of the water.

When a company rents one of this machines, they will spend somewhere between 0-00 a day to pump out the water from their work area. Mostly construction, mining, and oil companies will find the need to rent these machines to help them with their work. They will do their best to get out as much water at once as possible so that the water can be pumped out quickly and so they can reduce the renting costs of a mobile water treatment.

Mobile Water Treatment Unit Helpful after Flooding and Disaster

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