What is “Hard” water?
We considered water to be hard when it contains large amounts of calcium, magnesium and other minerals. These minerals cause film spots to form on your dishes and residue build up on bathroom fixtures. Hard water can also reduce the efficiency of water heaters and also cause build-up in plumbing pipes and kitchen appliances. Many people find that hard water can cause their laundry is stiffer and less vibrant and also prevents shampoo from lathering properly.
Water hardness is measured in parts per million (ppm) or grains per U.S. gallon (gpg). This can be determined by a simple water sample. The chart below outlines how hardness levels in your water can be classified.
Classification
|
Hardness
|
Very Hard
|
Over 10 Grains Per Gallon
|
Hard
|
3-10 Grains Per Gallon
|
Slightly Soft
|
1-3 Grains Per Gallon
|
Soft
|
0-1 Grains Per Gallon
|
What is “Soft” water?
Water is considered soft when most of the calcium, magnesium and dissolved solids are removed. As shown in the classification chart above, water is considered soft when the hardness is below 1 Grain Per Gallon. Many water softeners will remove hardness entirely, leaving the water without mineral content. Most people prefer soft water for showers and laundry, but it’s not necessary for drinking, cooking or watering plants. Homeowners can have a dedicated “hard” water supply ran to locations for drinking, cooking and outdoor use.
Water hardness will very from municipality to municipality and sometimes even throughout the city. Its is recommended to have your water tested prior to setting up a water softener to ensure the softener is set up properly. For more information about water and water hardness check out the link below
https://watersoftenerfacts.ca/my-water-hardness/
Good Practice - To ensure your water softener works properly and to prolong your investment. It is good practice to always let the salt in the brine tank dissolve almost 100% before adding more into the tank. This prevents the salt from hardening and keeps your softener from working harder than it needs to.
Reverse Osmosis System or R.O.
Some people prefer to drink water that is even more filtered then just by a water softener. An R.O. System can help ensure your drinking water is as filtered as possible. By using a 5 stage reverse osmosis system, your drinking water passes over multiple filters, further purifying your drinking water.