Hard Water - Top Tips to Easily Test Your Home Water Supply

Discovering whether your home water supply contains hard water minerals is vitally important if you are looking to remove or reduce these minerals for cleaner, purer water from your faucets. There are some excellent hard water testing kits available these days that will tell you exactly what your water contains, however, some methods are better than others...

As a guide, 60% of the UK and 85% of the US population live in a hard water area. This is a big problem, as dealing with hard water costs homeowners hundreds of dollars in expensive heating bills, as well as the headache of dealing with water deposits, and scale that forms around heating elements in kettles, dishwashers, boilers and in pipework.

The most common way to test is by using a hard water test strip, which is basically a small piece of specially treated paper that is dipped into the water to be tested, which then changes colour. This colour change is compared against a chart, where the hardness of water is related to the corresponding colour which is affected by the mineral concentration in the water.

A more accurate way is to use a use a hard water test kit which is usually a small bottle with specially formulated tablets. The idea is to take a sample of your water with the bottle, and then add the tablets to dissolve into the water. Again, there will be a colour change, this time of the water itself, which is compared against a chart indicating how hard the water is.

Probably the most accurate way, however, is to use a test kit which uses liquid drops which are added to the water sample. These have been proved to be most accurate when testing for hard water, and work time and again to reveal the true mineral content in a water supply.

For a comprehensive review of water test kits, have a think about the book below. It includes information on how to test water for an aquarium but also provides great insights into some of the most common ways to test the hardness of your water supply, including the best ways to test pH, ammonia and nitrate.

If all of the above does not work, or you prefer to have someone do it for you, most water companies will be able to test your home water supply for you. Give them a call and see what they can do for you. Once you've tested your water supply, the hardness of your water will be reported in grains per gallon, milligrams per liter (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm). One grain of hardness equals 17.1 mg/l or ppm of hardness.

So, if you wish to determine the mineral content of your water there are plenty of easy ways to accomplish it these days. Once, this has been done you'll be in a better position to clean hard water deposits and reduce scale formation that could be costing you significant amount of money in unnecessary heating bills for your home.

Hard Water Stains - Top Tips to Improve Your Well Water Supply and Prevent Water Stains.

The water from your well could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year. This is because well water (or borehole water as it is sometimes called) contains high levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which cause stubborn hard water stains. These minerals also stick to the elements on kettles and boilers causing them to be much less efficient.

If your water comes straight from a local well it may contain several components that could be potentially harmful to your family. There are many people in the US and around the world who have the same problem, especially the very common and annoying hard water minerals that cause hard water stains, which end up on fixtures and fittings. However, there are some really simple ways to combat these unwanted minerals and by installing a device to your home that will give you the peace of mind of knowing that your water is the best it can be.

Top Tips To Improve Your Well Water Supply:

One of the simplest ways to improve the quality of your water is to install a water softener. These devices remove the calcium and magnesium minerals that cause hard water stains, and replace them with sodium which makes the water much "softer". The advantage of this is it also prevents these same minerals from sticking to the heating elements of kettles, boilers and other appliances in the home.

Water softeners generally contain an easy to install cartridge that must be replaced every few months, or recharged, to keep it in top condition.

Water filters are also a great way to improve the quality of your well water and there are some great devices available that do an excellent job. Basically, these devices contain a filter that removes the unwanted minerals from your water and makes it cleaner and of higher quality.

One of the best types of filter to purchase is called a reverse-osmosis filters (see image on left). These filters are often considered the best form of water filtration available today. The water is passed through several types of filters including a semi-permeable membrane, which filters out almost every contaminant.

They are more expensive than other types of filters but have reasonably low running costs, very effective filtration and can also be used to filter water to the whole house. These devices are the industry standard and can help to achieve very high purification, so much so that often people comment that they can actually taste the difference themselves once one of these has been installed.

Electromagnetic water conditioners are another way to reduce the level of minerals in well water and are a relatively new invention. The idea is that by passing water through a magnetic field, the calcium and magnesium ions are altered in such a way that they lose their ability to cause scale.

These devices have a number of benefits and many are used in industry; although the water is not technically soft, it has the useful properties of soft water, that is, it may reduce limescale in pipes and may increase heating efficiency as well as lengthening the lifespan of any clothes washed in the conditioned water.

However, the jury is still out on whether these devices work effectively in a residential environment. The magnetic current that passes through the water does not technically remove the unwanted minerals but simply changes the chemical make-up of them. This is supposed to prevent the minerals from "sticking" to the sides of pipes and fixtures around the home - thus reducing hard water stains and scale formation. However, as they are still present in the water, they can still cause problems around the home and are not particularly effective in hard water deposit removal. There was a period of time in the 60's and 70's where many of these anti scale devices were installed in industrial systems, however they are not used as frequently these days.

Summary:

So, if you receive your water from a well water supply then there are some proven techniques for removing the annoying minerals and potentially toxic chemicals that are present in this type of water. Installing a device to filter your water is a great idea and could reduce the formation of hard water stains in your home, as well as making your morning coffee taste even better!

DIY Water Filters - Learn How To Treat Your Own Water!

There are some fantastic water softeners and filters available these days, and they do a great job at cleaning up our water and providing clean, soft water. However, if you're looking to save money or just like the idea of building a water filter for yourself, then a DIY water filter may be what you've just been looking for...as it could save you $250 every month!

If you have hard water in your local area, then it could be costing you hundreds of extra dollars per year in expensive cleaning products and scale caused by hard water deposit build-up in boilers and kettles. This not only adds to the cost of maintaining a household, but hard water does not lather at all well with soaps and shampoo, and also does not have a great taste...as you may already know!

Many people try to deal with the issue for years before they tackle the problem head on and do something about it. We all know how difficult hard water deposit removal can be, and just how much time it can take to get a kitchen and bathroom looking good again.

Some people try to boil their water before they drink it, or let it stand to settle out, or purchase expensive bottled water, or try to disguise the taste in some way...when all along they could have just installed - a DIY water filter for less than $80 - and solved all their problems in one! This also saves the environment as the plastic used to produce the bottled water is saved.

There are some cutting edge technologies that are pushing the boundaries of water filtration these days, and are purifying water to extremely high standards. To learn more about the new developments taking place in the industry, click on the link below:

http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/U3VtbS1aZXRhLVBpZ2ctTG92ZS1GYWx1LUNvdXAtWmVybw==

Top Tips When Considering a DIY Water Filter:

The main benefit of a DIY water filter is the low cost compared to the filters that can be bought in stores. The trick is to find a good filter media (tip: granular carbon is an excellent filter media) as it's this that will filter and purify your water of many of the impurities and chemicals that are contained within it. Sand is also a great material for removing the unwanted toxins that can be present in a home water supply.

If you've been considering a water filter for a while and are unsure about the cost of installing one or just want more information about how they operate, then building one for yourself gives you a great insight into the precise way these devices actually work. When you then decide to purchase one over the counter in the future, I can guarantee you'll be well armed with the facts to pick the right one for yourself!


If you're looking to learn more about consider this easy, step-by-step guide for making you own home water filter and save up to $250 a month, then click on the link below for more information:

Click Here!

And of course, if you have any questions or queries about DIY water filters, please don't hesitate to email me at support@hardwaterstainstips.com. I'd be happy to hear from you.

Have any comments about this post, put them down below...I'd be happy to hear your thoughts.

Hard Water Stains on Shower Doors - Top Tips That Have Been Proven To Work...

A recent technology has been developed that could lead to hard water stains on glass shower doors being a thing of the past. If this interest you, then read on...

A new glass coating has been developed that is resistant to corrosion and discoloration caused by constant exposure to heat, humidity, hard water, soaps and harsh cleaners. As a result, it requires less cleaning materials and maintains its original like-new appearance for years.

The technology is also used in the solar panel industry and looks as though it has a promising future. To read the full article click on the link below:

http://www.glassonweb.com/news/index/10186/

The only downside to this new technology is that it could still be a few years away. I know in the mean time there that this does not really help you remove any stubborn stains on your shower doors. So, if you have them and are determined to have crystal clear shower doors once again that sparkle like new, click on the link below to go to my blog post that outlines a proven step-by-step formula that has worked time and again...

http://hardwaterstainstips.blogspot.com/search?q=shower

Another top tip is to consider installing a shower filter that will actually remove the hard water minerals from your shower water supply. Here are some of the benefits of installing one of these devices:

1. Reduces the formation of hard water build-up in your shower which cause stains.
   
2. Makes your hair feel soft and smooth to the touch - as the minerals don't build up in your hair.
3. Soap and shampoo usage is reduced as you are able to form a rich lather for bathing.
4. Feel cleaner afterwards as there is no residue to rinse off after you have showered.
5. Less risk of itchy skin or irritations as the water is filtered of impurities.

If you are considering the benefits of a shower filter, but are unsure of which one to buy, don't worry. The Aquasana Deluxe AQ-4100 Shower Water Filter below is one of the best around and was voted "Product of the Year" by Cosmetology Today Magazine. Click on the link below to learn more...

Details:

* Voted "Product of the Year" by Cosmetology Today Magazine.

* Comes complete with a deluxe adjustable massage-showerhead.

* Replaceable water filter cartridge lasts 10,000 gallons, about 6 months.
* Unique 2-Stage shower water filter uses Coconut Shell Carbon & KDF-55D media to enhance your shower experience.

To learn more about this product click on the link below...

Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System with Adjustable Showerhead

I hope that helps if you have any hard water or limescale issues with your shower doors. And of course, if you have any problems or questions, please don't hesitate to email me at support@hardwaterstainstips.com. I'd be happy to help!

If you have any thought about this post, why not leave a comment below, I'd be happy to hear your thoughts...

Hard Water Stains on Granite - How To Remove Them...

Many people these days have new kitchens with lovely granite countertops only to see them develop those ugly hard water stains we all know about.

I receive some really frustrated emails from people who have just installed a new granite countertop only to see it be ruined by the hard water stains. don't let this happen to you - there are some tried and tested methods for removing them.

It is advisable not to use acid cleaners on granite. Granite is acid resistant but not acid proof – the top layer can be gradually dissolved and expose the surface underneath and cause a lot of damage. A proven, step by step method is using baking soda and water - see the method below...

Natural Formula to Use:
A mixture of baking soda and warm water

Method to Use:
1.Make up the mixture of water and baking soda

2.Scrub stains with a soft brush or sponge

3.Rinse thoroughly with water to remove all residue

Tip:
When scrubbing the stains be careful to rub gently as once the granite has been scratched it easily picks up any grease, dirt or soap residue. Then harsh abrasives really are necessary to remove debris that has become ingrained within the surface!

For more tips and advice on hard water stain removal, go to http://www.hardwaterstainstips.com/ for a step by step guide.

Do you have a granite countertop? What methods have you used to remove hard water stains? Leave a post and let me hear your thoughts...

Hard Water Stains - What Does The Terminator Have To Do With Them?

I never though I would do a blog post and mention Arnold Schwarzenegger, but here goes... California has recently passed laws giving local officials more power to remove water softeners from peoples homes.

These devices can help to remove minerals that cause the ugly hard water stains that form around the home.

SACRAMENTO, CA — In what one newspaper called “a jab at the Culligan Man,” the California Assembly this week passed a bill, known as AB 1366, that will give local government agencies more power to ban residential water softeners and remove existing ones, The Los Angeles Times reported September 10.

AB 1366, sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Feuer, D-Los Angeles, was among “a flurry of measures” that state lawmakers were trying to push through before the end of the legislative session at midnight on September 11, the newspaper said. It could not be determined immediately how the state Senate was acting on the bill. Passage in the Senate would mean it would go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his signature.

The measure has been opposed vigorously by the water treatment industry, represented by the national Water Quality Association, the regional Pacific Water Quality Association, and dealers, suppliers and manufacturers of softeners.

It has been supported by California’s municipal water and wastewater agencies, which insist that the chlorides discharged by water softeners in their regeneration cycle make wastewater more difficult and expensive to treat and pollute downstream water sources.

Opponents said the bill unfairly singled out residential water softeners as sources of salinity in wastewater. They also tried to persuade lawmakers that a more reasonable solution was to work with the industry in changing consumers’ softener equipment to more salt-efficient designs, and to identify large institutional salinity sources.

The industry sought to persuade the public that AB 1366 was an unwarranted intrusion of state regulation that would only result in hard water for the estimated one-quarter of Californians who now have residential softeners. The Times article said executives of Culligan International, the Rosemont, IL-based manufacturer of water softeners that also maintains a large dealer network, criticized the bill, according to the newspaper, as being “a Big Government grab at private property.”

A similar measure passed both the state Senate and Assembly last fall, but it was vetoed by the governor and never became law.

A few local governments and water agencies in California and across the nation have instituted softener bans or restrictions that apply only to softener owners in those areas.

Source: http://www.watertechonline.com/news.asp?N_ID=72562


If you are affected by these recent laws, do not worry. There are plently of other devices available these days that are just as effective at removing hard water minerals as well as eliminating other potentially harmful toxins.

For more information, see my blog post link below on the different types of water filters and softeners currently on the market, and how they can improve your water supply.

http://hardwaterstainstips.blogspot.com/2008/12/hard-water-stains-water-filters.html

If the recent ban affects you tell me what you think about it? Leave a blog post below, I love to hear your thoughts!

California Considers Water Softener Legislation

If you live in California the law may be changing soon regarding water softeners. This is because lawmakers will be discussing future legislation that could affect how homeowners use traditional water softeners.

Traditional water softeners use salt to replace the calcium and magnesium in the water with sodium. This effectively prevents the calcium and magnesium causing hard water stains around the home, however when the softeners are recharged, the salt is flushed out and can cause significant damage to the environment.

A recent report on California's 10News.com website says that the legislation would encourage homeowners to replace their traditional water softeners with models that do not use salt and would also compensate those who do replace their old systems.

One of the largest manufacturers of the traditional water softeners is said to be waging a heavy lobbying effort against the bill, and it remains to be seen if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would be willing to sign it if it passes.

Some oppose the bill because they are concerned about untreated hard water, which can also be wasteful because it makes it more difficult for soap and shampoo to work properly.

The controversy is particularly relevant in California because the state is grappling with chronic water supply issues and has faced rising treatment costs in part because of the salt that is released by many traditional water softeners.

Do you live in California, or know someone who lives there? What do you think about the new leglislation - do you think it will help the environment by using softeners that don't use salt? I'd love to hear what you think, why not leave a blog post and tell me your thoughts.