Carbon Media - Ancient Water Treatment Works the Best!

One of the most powerful ways to deal with unwanted water contaminants and hard water minerals these days is to consider a water treatment device that contains carbon media (you can see me holding a spoonful one some in the image on the left). They have come a long way since they first appeared decades ago and are probably the way forward in the years to come as they have been proven to work time and again.

Carbon filtering is a method of filtering that uses a piece of activated carbon to remove contaminants and impurities using a process known as chemical adsorption. Each piece of carbon is designed to provide a large section of surface area, in order to allow contaminants the most possible exposure to the filter media. One pound (454g) of activated carbon contains a surface area of approximately 100 acres (1 km²/kg). This carbon is generally activated with a positive charge and is designed to attract negatively charged water contaminants. Carbon filtering is commonly used for water purification, but is also used in air purifiers.

Carbon filters are most effective at removing chlorine, sediment, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. They are not effective on their own at removing minerals, salts, and dissolved inorganic compounds and are usually used in combination with other filter media to remove hard water minerals.

Typical particle sizes that can be removed by carbon filters range from 0.5 to 50 micrometres. The particle size will be used as part of the filter description. The efficiency of a carbon filter is also based upon the flow rate - When the water is allowed to flow through the filter at a slower rate, the contaminants are exposed to the filter media for a longer amount of time.

Carbon Filters in ancient Times

Carbon filters have been used for several hundred years and are considered one of the oldest means of water purification. Historians have shown evidence that carbon filtration may have been used in ancient Egyptian cultures for both air and water sanitization.

2000 B.C. Sanskrit text refers to filtering water through charcoal (1905 translation of "Sushruta Samhita" by Francis Evelyn Place) The first modern use of a carbon filter to purify potable water occurred in 1862. Carbon filtration was further advanced in the mid 1970's by H. Allen Rice and Alvin E. Rice when they first manufactured a porous carbon block for drinking water use.

Carbon Filters in Homes Today

Currently, carbon filters are used in individual homes as point-of-use water filters and, occasionally, in municipal water treatment facilities. They are also used as pre-treatment devices for reverse osmosis systems and as specialized filters designed to remove chlorine-resistant cysts, such as giardia and cryptosporidium.

As described above, carbon filter media is granulated carbon that works by trapping unwanted water contaminants in the microscopic cracks within the granules to remove them from solution. It is also know as activated carbon media and is the basis for may water filters and reverse osmosis water filters. 

If you are looking for the best type of water treatment device, reverse osmosis water filters are hard to beat - the one opposite is by Watts and is worth considering if you want one that's been proven to work. They contain all of the necessary stages to provide ultra pure water and are great if you're looking for the piece of mind for you and your family.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filters - The Industry Standard

Reverse osmosis water filters are used alot in the water industry these days, especially on water treatment works. They can really help to reduce hard water stains from forming around the home. Just the other day at work I saw one being installed on a lead rig...

It was added to remove the unwanted contaminants from the water so that the lead rig could  accurately detect the lead composition in the water. They usually contain two types of filter which remove different components from the water. Culligan reverse osmosis water filters are a particularly good manufacturer to go with if you are looking for a reliable source.

You can see from the picture that this one has two cartridges that filter out all kinds of unwanted minerals and produce water that is about as clean as it is possible to get these days. In fact they are the industry standard and are also used in homes by people who want to be sure that their water is the best it can be.

If you are interested in preventing hard water stains and limescale from forming around the home they can be a great addition to the water supply. They are easy to install and once set up they remove about 95% of the calcium and magnesium minerals responsible for the ugly white stains found on faucets, sinks, bath tubs, shower cubicles and in toilets.

If you've got any questions about reverse osmosis water filters or are considering purchasing one, feel free to email me at support@hardwaterstainstips.com. I'll be happy to point you in the right direction and help you out.

Any comments about this post, again, let me know your thoughts below...

Water Softening Benefits to be Studied...

The effect of hard water around the home can increase heating bills by hundreds of dollars a year. Simply adding a water softener is a great way to combat these effects and reduce the build-up of limescale and hard water stains.

The effects of softening water are now being studied at WQA Aquatech USA. The conference and exhibition will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, March 9 - 12, 2010.

One of the best water filters around at the moment is the Pelican PC600 Premium whole House Water Softener. Click on the image below for more information...

The results of the conference will be very revealing and I'm sure will confirm that hard water continues to be an ever increasing evvironmental issue due to the extra energy is costs to heat homes and businesses.

The full article about the conference can be found at http://www.watertechonline.com/news.asp?N_ID=73367

If you have any comments about this post feel free to add them below - I be happy to hear your thoughts.

Eliminate Hard Water Stains and Discover the Benefits of Reverse Osmosis Water Filters

One of the easiest ways to prevent hard water stains from forming around the home is to install a reverse osmosis filter. These industry standard devices can reduce water stains and limescale by eliminating up to 95% of the calcium and magnesium found in a hard water supply.

As anybody who lives in a hard water area will know, water deposit stains can be a pain if they are not dealt with fairly quickly. Not only do they leave ugly white marks on sinks, shower doors, faucets, toilet and glass, but they are also very difficult to remove, which his costs time and several hundreds of dollars over a year.

Many people have discovered the easy way to remove water stains is to consider an easy to install device to their home that provides hard water mineral free water as well as ultra pure water that is free from other contaminants that are potentially toxic in high concentrations.

Benefits of Reverse Osmosis Filters:

Not only do these devices remove up to 95% reduction in calcium and magnesium, they also remove many other unwanted chemicals from a water supply. By simply adding a reverse osmosis filter to the home, they have discovered that it can help when dealing with water spot removal, as well as getting rid of tough limescale deposits from fixtures and fittings.

The reason that these industry standard devices are so effective at eliminating limescale is because the reverse osmosis membrane is comprised of microscopic pores which allow the pressurized water molecules, among the smallest molecules known to man, to pass through contaminants, and even minerals dissolved in the water, such as calcium and magnesium are left behind.

So, if you are researching a water treatment device that can help with water deposit removal as well as purifying your home water supply, considering a reverse osmosis water filter is a wise decision. They have been proven to work to reduce hard water stains and will also give you the peace of mind that your water is the best quality it can be for you and your family.

If you are looking for a top quality reverse osmosis filtration system, then the Crystal Quest Reverse Osmosis Ultimate is a great one to consider. It recently received 5 stars out of 5 from Amazon customers and its 5 stage filtration system has been proven to prevent hard water stains formation and provide an ultra pure home water supply.

Click on the link below for more details:

Crystal Quest Reverse Osmosis-ULTIMATE

If you have any thoughts on reverse osmosis water filters and how they have helped you, feel free to post a comment below and share your experiences.

Top Appliance - Medelco Glass Whistling Kettle

If you have ever discovered hard water deposit build up on your kettle elements, then you know what a pain it can be removing the scale from them. Plus, most kettles don't tell you when it's full of scale and needs cleaning...however there is one that does!

The Medelco glass whistling kettle is made of glass and, therefore, as you'd expect, you can see through it. So you can watch the water boil if you want to and see the scale gradually build up over time...only if you want to though!

For dedicated tea and coffee drinkers, the taste of the water they use is very important. The glass kettles like the Medelco whistling kettle has a very important quality - they do not contaminate the boiled water with any metallic or plastic smell. Granted that most of us will not notice anything, but these connoisseurs are very fussy people.

As this is a glass kettle, it does not rust. Even the finest quality stainless steel kettle will eventually start to rust, and most kettles are not made from the best stainless steel. You can also clean it with strong vinegar, unlike metal kettles. If you have small hands, you can reach inside the body of the Medelco whistling kettle with a scrub pad to clean it, if not you can use a bottle brush.

The transparent glass body makes it possible to see how much water is inside it, which is convenient. Unlike normal metal whistling kettles, you do not need to lift the lid to peer into the kettle to see if you need to refill it. You can also see the water boiling, which can be quite interesting especially for children. Apart from this, you can also see when the kettle is dirty (for example from the residue of hard water) so you know when to do a more intensive cleaning with vinegar.

Most metal kettles are made of many different parts soldered together, so there is always the risk of leaks or some part falling apart (especially the spout or even the bottom of the kettle). The Medelco glass whistling kettle is made of one whole piece of glass so it does not have this problem.

To learn more about this kettle, click on the link below:



Although it is made from glass, the glass is thick enough to NOT feel fragile yet it is still thin enough to let the water inside heat up quickly. Overall, the entire kettle is quite solidly built.

At $10 to $15, this whistling kettle is cheap. Many people buy two or three at a time and do not think twice about replacing it when it breaks. This is unlike many metal kettles which cost $30 to $100 or even more.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to email me or leave a comment below.

More Cities Eye Water Softeners Over Salinity Issues

A growing number of cities, especially in California, are taking a variety of steps to reduce their local sodium levels and water treatment costs, which can be affected in cases by the number of traditional water softeners in an area.

With that in mind, the city of Woodland, California recently announced that
it is conducting a survey to learn more about the source of some of its salinity levels in wastewater. The city noted that participants will also be entered in a drawing for a GPS unit.

In its announcement, the city notes that higher salt levels can contribute to blood pressure problems and also harm crops, fish and other wildlife. Another problem is higher wastewater and drinking water costs.

The city did mention water softeners in its announcement, noting that the local hard water is safe to drink, but can leave deposits on plumbing fixtures and damage appliances, while also making soap and shampoo less effect.

The attention on the environmental effect of water softeners is gaining more attention nationwide as cities struggle to provide adequate supplies in light of increased demand and factors like pollution and an aging infrastructure.

If you are affected by these new laws and want to soften the water in your home, feel free to get in touch with me and I'd be happy to help.

Or leave a comment below and let me know what you think about them...

Image Source: watervalue.com
Article from http://www.wavehomesolutions.com/content/news/article.cfm?articleID=19448581&catID=438025743

Shower Filters - Top Tips Before You Consider Buying a Shower Filter!

Have you ever taken a shower and felt like you were showering with a trickle of water? Or, have you ever smelled the faint whiff of chlorine or some other strange substance as you wash yourself in the shower? If any of this sounds familiar then you can immediately improve things by installing a shower filter in your bathroom - you'll feel like you having a power shower with spring water!

The build up of mineral deposits in the nozzles can dramatically reduce the flow of water through a shower unit, and can increase heating bills by several hundred dollars per year as the heating efficiency of the shower unit is significantly reduced.

The smells that can be detected when showering are more detectable because the water has been heated, plus that fact that the water is being sprayed in droplets means that it's easily picked up by the human nose. Chemicals such as chlorine (bleach type smell), sulphur (rotten eggs) are not uncommon things to be noticed when taking a shower with poor quality water.

Hard water deposits on skin have also been linked to conditions such as eczema and acne which are exacerbated as the hard water deposits irritate the skin even further. If all the above was not bad enough hard water minerals can also build up in hair causing it to feel dry, lifeless and dull.


Critical Things to Consider:

The effectiveness of today's shower filters perform extremely well. They are capable of filtering up to 99% of hard water minerals which helps to stop the nozzles from becoming blocked, as well as removing other unwanted chemicals. This not only provides cleaner, purer water while showering but is also a much more pleasant experience, as you will soon discover. A good shower unit will contain a filtering block around the spray nozzle which is capable of filtering or to 10,000 gallons.

Many of the shower filters available today are very easy to install and quite often include tools to complete the job. Many have different spray settings that can provide a massage to wherever it's needed on the body. A top tip is to look for an NSF certified shower filter with a good five year warranty. The typical price of a shower filter is approximately 50 to 200 dollars.

Many people have commented on the fact that there dry skin has been much reduced after installing a shower filter. It's also highly recommended for people who have hard water mineral buildup in hair which causes it to feel dry and lifeless. It may also help them improve the quality of curly hair as the shower filter prevents hard water minerals from forming on hair, making it feels softer and smoother. It will also help with hard water deposit removal when cleaning the bathroom as the minerals are unable to stick to surfaces such as bathtubs and sinks.

A great budget shower filter is the one from Culligan below which comes with a 5-year limited warranty Replacement Filter:

If you want the best shower filter for you and your family, then the one below was voted "Product of the Year" by Cosmetology Today Magazine. This one effectively removes 99% of chlorine, reduces VOCs, heavy metals and other chemicals, and enhances pH - it is considered by some to be Aquasana's best product!

So if you're looking to purchase a shower filter check it's an NSF device, confirm the capacity of the device is sufficient for you, and check to see how long the warranty lasts. Another important thing to consider is how much the replacement of filters will be, as typically these need to be replaced approximately every six months.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me - I'd be happy to help you out. If you have any comments please feel free to add them below.