A Look at Water Softener Systems

Do you ever feel like nothing you do when yousupply and filter water as it comes through to
clean works? Do you still feel dirty when you getremove calcium and magnesium, the most
out of the shower? Does your hair feel dry aftercommon minerals that cause water hardness.
you wash it? The problem may not be the soapSofter water means less scale and soap scum
or detergents you are using. Your problem mightbuildup.Home water softener systems typically
be hard water.The term, ""hard water,"" refers toconsist of a brine tank and the filter. These
water with a high mineral content. The mostsystems are also equipped with a meter to
common minerals that cause water hardness areindicate when the sodium needs to be
calcium and magnesium. When these minerals endrecharged.As water moves through the machine,
up in a household's water supply household pipescalcium or magnesium ions change places with
become clogged and appliance efficiency is""softer"" ions as they pass through the filter. The
reduced.Water test kits are available at poolcalcium or magnesium ions stay behind, and water
suppliers or from establishments that sell watercontinues through the pipes, softened by salt.
softener systems. Water hardness, or how muchWhen the water softener is depleted, it is
of a mineral is present in water, is measured inrecharged by being flushed with brine. This drives
grains per gallon (GPG), parts per million (PPM), oroff the calcium or magnesium ions, replacing them
milligrams per liter (MG/L). Water up to 1 GPG iswith sodium ions.At $400 to $1,200 each, plus $5
considered soft, water from 1 to 3.5 GPG isto $7 per bag of salt, water softener systems
considered moderate, and water from 3.5 to 7may seem pricey, but surely less time spent
GPG is hard water.Home water softener systemscleaning would be worth such a price.
are machines that tap into the household water