Hard Water - Discover Its Impact on Your Heart Health

The World Health Organization says, "There does not appear to be any convincing evidence that water hardness causes adverse health effects in humans." I may even have a positive health effect and help to reduce heart attacks according to some recent studies.

Some studies have shown a weak inverse relationship between water hardness and cardiovascular disease in men, up to a level of 170 mg calcium carbonate per liter of water - ie: the more calcium in the water the more it could stop heart attacks, up to 170mg!. Other studies have shown weak correlations between cardiovascular health and water hardness. The World Health Organization has reviewed the evidence and concluded the data were inadequate to allow for a recommendation for a level of hardness.

In a review by Frantisek Kozisek, M.D., Ph.D. National Institute of Public Health, Czech Republic gives a good overview of the topic, and unlike the WHO, sets some recommendations for the maximum and minimum levels of calcium (40-80 mg/L) and magnesium (20-30 mg/L) in drinking water, and a total hardness expressed as the sum of the calcium and magnesium concentrations of 2-4 mmol/L.

Hard water is not a health hazard. In fact, the National Research Council (National Academy of Sciences) states that hard drinking water generally contributes a small amount toward total calcium and magnesium human dietary needs. They further state that in some instances, where dissolved calcium and magnesium are very high, water could be a major contributor of calcium and magnesium to the diet.

Hard water in the US

According to the United States Geological Survey, 89.3% of US homes have hard water. The softest waters occur in parts of the New England, South Atlantic-Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii regions. Moderately hard waters are common in many of the rivers of the Tennessee, Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska regions. Hard and very hard waters are found in some of the streams in most of the regions throughout the country. Hardest waters (greater than 1,000 mg/L) are in streams in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Arizona, and southern California which can also cause very stubborn hard water stains.

Hard water in Canada

Prairie provinces (mainly Saskatchewan and Manitoba) contain high quantities of calcium and magnesium, often as dolomite, which are readily soluble in the groundwater that contains high concentrations of trapped carbon dioxide from the last glaciation. In these parts of Canada, the total hardness in mg/L calcium carbonate equivalent frequently exceeds 200 mg/L, if groundwater is the only source of potable water. Some typical values are: Calgary 165 mg/L, Saskatoon < 140 mg/L, Toronto 121 mg/L, Vancouver < 5 mg/L, Charlottetown PEI 140 - 150 mg/L

Hard water in England and Wales

Information from the British Drinking Water Inspectorate shows that drinking water in England is generally considered to be 'very hard', with most areas of England, particularly the East, exhibiting above 200 mg/L as calcium carbonate equivalent. Wales, Devon, Cornwall and parts of North-West England are softer water areas, and range from 0 to 200 mg/L. In the brewing industry in England and Wales, water is often deliberately hardened with gypsum in the process of Burtonisation.

Hard water in Australia

Analysis of water hardness in major Australian cities by the Australian Water Association shows a range from very soft (Melbourne) to very hard (Adelaide). Total Hardness as Calcium Carbonate mg/L are: Canberra: 40; Melbourne: 10 - 26; Sydney: 39.4 - 60.1; Perth: 29 - 226; Brisbane: 100; Adelaide: 134 - 148; Hobart: 5.8 - 34.4; Darwin: 31.

So living in a hard water area may actually help to reduce your risk of a heart attack. Obviously there are a number of other factors that need to be taken into account, but hard water does at least have some positive aspects!

What do you think about hard water and the risk of heart attacks? Why not leave a post here or you can contact me at support@hardwaterstainstips.com.

Hard Water Stains Explained

A few people have asked me recently what hard water actually is, and what the stains are made of. So, I thought I'd lay out exactly what they are, and why they can be such a problem for us around the home.

Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. Commonly referred to as "hardness minerals," dissolved calcium and magnesium can cause numerous problems when present in a water supply.

As water falls from the sky in its various forms, it absorbs carbon dioxide in the air and becomes slightly acidic. Water in this weak acid state reaches and enters the ground. Since it is acidic, it absorbs calcium and magnesium, among other things, from the layers of rock through which it passes.

The minerals neutralize the waters acidity but also make it hard. Then the water finds its way into larger bodies of water both above and below ground, and eventually into our homes.

Water hardness is typically measured in "parts per million," an indication of the quantity of dissolved calcium and magnesium the water contains. In amounts as small as one part per million, water is classified as "hard" to a certain degree. Most homes use water that is considerably harder.

While many families choose to soften their water by removing the calcium and magnesium with home water treatment equipment, many don't even realise they have it in the first instance, however there are some easy ways to prevent it.

Facts:

Studies indicate that 85% of US homes and 60% of homes in the UK are supplied with hard water. Hard water costs you money, causes soap scum and scale, and reduces the efficiency of water-using appliances. Hard water stains occur when the water evaporates leaving behind the mineral deposits causing unsightly stains around taps, faucets, sinks, showerheads, tiles and on carpets.

To check whether the area you live in has hard water, check out your local regional information.

If you have any questions about the hard water in your area, drop me a line at support@hardwaterstainstips.com, or post a blog comment here and I'll get back to you asap.

4 Quick and Easy Tips for Hard Water Areas

For some quick and easy tips to combat hard water problems around the home, see below for some tried and tested methods that could save you hundreds of dollars!

Use a synthetic body wash to shower:

Some confusion may arise after a first experience with soft water. Hard water does not lather well with soap and leaves a "less than clean" feeling. Soft water lathers better than hard water but leaves a "slippery feeling" on the skin after use with soap. For example, a certain water softener manufacturer contests that the "slippery feeling" after showering in soft water is due to "cleaner skin" and the absence of "friction-causing" soap scum.

However, the chemical explanation is that soft water, due to its sodium content, has a much reduced ability to combine with the soap film on your body and therefore, it is much more difficult to rinse off. Solutions are to use less soap or a synthetic liquid body wash.

Choose a correct laundry detergent:

Some laundry detergents do not produce as many suds in hard water, these are likely to be soap-based products and do not work as well in hard-water as detergent based products. Nowadays, there are washing powders and liquids available for a wide range of water hardness. Make sure you choose the correct detergent for your area; you may also need to use slightly more detergent than the manufacturers recommended amount to compensate for the hard water. In many cases the manufacturer will give specific instructions on how to use the product in hard water areas, look out for these labels on your product.

Reduce the temperature of your boiler:

As the water temperature increases, the more mineral deposits will appear in your dishwasher, water tank and pipes. By reducing the heat of your boiler to about 55ºC, you will have enough hot water for your shower and you will reduce the amount of mineral build-up in your pipes and tanks.

Use rinse agents to remove mineral deposits:

There are many rinse agents available to remove mineral deposits from crockery and dishwasher. Alternatively, you can use white vinegar by using the dishwasher dispenser or placing a cup of vinegar on the dishwasher rack. Boil some white vinegar in your kettle as a useful way of removing hard water deposits

Water Filters - Discover How They Can Dramatically Improve Your Water Supply

Why are there more and more manufactures introducing water conditioners and filters onto the market these days? Is there something that they are recommending homeowners to do to improve the quality of the water, and the big question I suppose is - why?

Over the last 30 years, scientists have become more aware of the effect of chlorine that is added as disinfection by- product to the water, and how it affects those people who consume it. Also, as public awareness increases more and more people are

While the addition of chlorine has reduced cholera rates by 90 percent, typhoid by 80 percent and amoebic dysentery by 50 percent, there are certain by- products formed by chlorine that are some cause for concern. One of the main issues is when chlorine reacts with organic matter and forms trihalomethanes (THM's), which scientists are still investigating but which some studies have linked to cancer.

Is it a Risk to You?

There are many disinfection by-products that are formed and worryingly only a few have been studied to evaluate the risk to humans. There are some that do not even have to be ingested but are able to make their way into the body through the skin or by inhalation.

In some investigates, it has been found that epidemiologic studies have shown that a lifetime exposure to chlorinated water through showering and bathing and also swimming is associated with an increased risk for cancer, especially of the bladder and colorectum. In addition, recent studies have raised the issue of potential adverse reproductive and developmental effects.

What Can I Do About it?

As discussed above, manufactures are introducing several different varieties of filters and conditioning devices these days. The devices are indeed a very effective way to reduce the potentially harmful effect of chemicals found in your drinking water, which reduces the risk significantly to humans.

Today's filters have experts on their side. Clifford P. Weisel, an Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Institute professor at the RWJMS/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and co-author of a study that measured inhalation and dermal exposures to DBPs, said, "If an individual lives in an area where there are high DBP levels in the water and there are other risk factors for cancer, installing a filter will reduce the risk."

As well as the health problems it may cause, chlorine also dehydrates the skin, making it more susceptible to irritation and disorders such as eczema. According to Leslie Baumann, MD, professor of dermatology at the University of Miami and director of the University of Miami's Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute, "Filters are a must for anyone with dry or sensitive skin, especially if they live in a city with hard water or high amounts of chlorine in the water."

To learn more about how water filters can help you achieve the highest quality water supply, click here.

What do you think of this post? I'd love to hear your feedback...email me at support@hardwaterstainstips.com

Hard Water Stains - The Top 7 Worst Things to Remove Hard Water Stains and Limescale

There are some things that should definitely not be used to remove hard waters stains and limescale. They can seriously damage your fixtures and fittings and cause them to look worse than when you first started cleaning!

I have seen many people try to remove hard water stains with just elbow grease. While this is certainly one way to remove them it's not the easiest and can make you feel like you've had a good workout! Using something to scrape the stains off is also a common method or even bleach or other toxic chemicals that can harm your children or pets.

Below are just some of the worst ways to remove hard water stains and limescale from your fixtures and fittings:

Scour pads: these can cause significant damage as the scour pad can scratch the finish of metal faucets, sinks, tubs and toilet bowls.

Pumice stone: while these are slightly less damaging than scour pads, they can still cause a lot of damage to toilet bowls and cause ugly scuff marks on the surface.

Sand paper: this is possibly the worst way to remove hard water stains and limescale and I have seen terrible damage caused to porcelain sinks and tubs by the coarse, abrasive action of sand paper.

Razor Blade: these need no explanation as to why they are completely unsuitable for removing hard water stains. Not only will they destroy any finish that a surface may of have had, they are totally unacceptable to have lying around the house for children to pick up and play with.

Bleach: while this is good to kill bacteria, it just doesn't cut the mustard when it comes to removing stubborn hard water stains and limescale. Some people say it works, but there are easier ways than using a potentially harmful chemical such as bleach.

Hydrochloric Acid: some people have tried strong acids to try and melt off the stains hoping they will just disappear. They sometimes do, but in the process you have just inhaled hydrochloric acid into your lungs...not good.

Chemical Cleaners: there are many on the market these days which we all know about. They do have some success at removing hard water stains. The only thing with these is that again they are potentially harmful if used too much; I know I have ran out of the room gasping for breath more than once in the past! Plus they can be rather expensive for what they actually are.

There are some much easier ways to remove stubborn hard water stains and limescale than this.

There are some tried and tested methods for removing even the most stubborn of hard water stains that have been proven to work that will leave your fixtures and fittings sparkling like new.

To discover the secrets to removing those annoying hard water stains try our popular ebook that has helped hundreds of people on a no risk 30 day trial ...

What is Soft Water?

Soft water is essentially free of dissolved calcium or magnesium. A small percentage of homes are supplied with naturally soft water. But since naturally soft water usually has not been neutralised by passing through mineral layers in the ground, it can be quite corrosive. Softening water mechanically, such as with a home water softener, does not make it corrosive, however.

Since calcium and magnesium are not present in soft water, no adverse reaction with soaps and detergents occurs. The result is the virtual elimination of soap scum and the corresponding reduction in time spent cleaning. Hair and skin can "breathe" more readily. And the School of Consumer & Family Sciences at Purdue University conducted a study which proved that the life of clothing and household textiles was prolonged up to 15 percent when they were washed in conditioned water.

Soap usage can be dramatically reduced with soft water. Since the water is already soft, the cleaning agents have no hardness minerals to react with and overcome and lather more readily and work more effectively. In fact, a large proportion of the ingredients in most soaps and detergents consist of chemical "water softeners" added to prevent the reaction between the detergent and the hardness minerals present in most water (the reaction that forms a sticky residue or soap curd).

As such chemicals are not necessary for cleaning with soft water, less soap is required. Soft water households experience considerable savings on laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, bath soap, hand soap, shampoo and many other cleaning products.

Since soft water contains no scale forming minerals, it leaves the inside of plumbing and water-using appliances free of solidified rock. Appliances operate more efficiently and last longer when using soft water, and of course soft water does not cause any of those unpleasant hard water stains.

What are Hard Water Stains?

Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. Commonly referred to as "hardness minerals," dissolved calcium and magnesium can cause numerous problems when present in a water supply.

As water falls from the sky in its various forms, it absorbs carbon dioxide in the air and becomes slightly acidic. Water in this weak acid state reaches and enters the ground. Since it is acidic, it absorbs calcium and magnesium, among other things, from the layers of rock through which it passes.

The minerals neutralize the water's acidity but also make it hard. Then the water finds its way into larger bodies of water both above and below ground, and eventually into our homes.

Water hardness is typically measured in "parts per million," an indication of the quantity of dissolved calcium and magnesium the water contains. In amounts as small as one part per million, water is classified as "hard" to a certain degree. Most homes use water that is considerably harder. Hard water stains occur when the water evaporates leaving behind the mineral deposits - causing a hard water stain.

While many families choose to soften their water by removing the calcium and magnesium with home water treatment equipment, many don't even realise they have hard water.


Hard Water Facts

Studies indicate that 85% of US homes and 60% of homes in the UK are supplied with hard water. Hard water costs you money, causes soap scum and scale, and reduces the efficiency of water-using appliances.