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Basic Facts: Hard Water

Based on various research, more than 90% of US population drink hard water or mineral-rich drinking water. The percentage is also quite the same in other countries like the United Kingdom. Compared to the misconception that this kind of water is purely detrimental to the health, hard drinking water actually has a lot of benefits to the health.

Hard water is characterized by being rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium plus iron. Drinking this kind of water is not that harmful to the body and health but it is not good in industrial settings or equipments involving or using water.

The World Health Organization even refuted misconceptions about the bad effects of water with mineral contents to the health while the National Research Council even promotes the benefits of hard drinking water.

Benefits Of Hard Drinking Water

• Minerals in the water like calcium and magnesium are important to the body. By drinking hard water, mineral requirement of the body specifically calcium ion and magnesium is achieved.
• According to a 2008 medical study, sufficient intake of magnesium through hard drinking water can lower the rate of cardiovascular mortality.
• The calcium ion contents in the water promote healthier teeth and bone growth.
• Most people would also agree that the mineral content improves the taste of the water compared to the taste of soft water.
• Harmful elements in the pipe like metal salts and pipe corrosion are prevented from coming into contact with the water passing through the pipes through the building of carbonate layer or deposits covering the inside of the pipes.

The main concern about hard water is that this kind of water cause lime formation inside the equipments it passes through like the pipes. This build up can damage the pipes and the materials it came into contact with. The deposits can cause clog plumbing resulting to plumbing problems in the household.

Formation of deposits on the pipe where hard drinking water passes through may also affect the color of the water making the water unappealing. Some people would also say that hard drinking water has strong smell but this observation is of course objective.

Most of the concerns about hard water involve physical effects to pipes and materials, and the odor of the water. Despite the many bad health effects claimed against hard drinking water, there are no proven studies about these claims.

That is why the WHO recommended a minimum and maximum level of calcium and magnesium content in the hard drinking water so people will not get afraid of using and drinking hard water.

More On Reverse Osmosis Water Systems

Consumers take for granted that their drinking water is clear and safe for consumption. No one seems to notice that this is not always the case in nature; that water is crystal clear. All a person has to do is take a look at the river or other water source in the community. That person will see almost immediately that the water may be murky or even brackish. Such water may actually be unsafe to drink in its natural state. There is a process of purification that makes the water safe to drink and a reverse osmosis system is definitely part of the process.

This is a procedure that is studded with technical jargon phrases, but a reverse osmosis system is fundamentally a means of separating pure water from that which is brackish or salty. Researchers at UCLA and the University of Florida were able to separate fresh water from sea water sixty years ago and a reverse osmosis system is part of the process of more than fifteen thousand desalination plants all over the world.

This process has many uses and has been able to provide reprocessed water for areas that experience periodic problems with adequate water supply. It has been used to make ground water drinkable, and the food processing company will make use of a reverse osmosis system to concentrate liquids as well as remove any salt. Perhaps the best benefit is derived from the ability to reprocess water, making this a green efficient way of using a scarce resource.

One problem with a water processing system, like it or not, is it just might be too efficient. It can remove health threatening contaminants but the same time minerals required for good health can also be taken out of the water. This may require a "re-mineralization" of the water prior to consumption and a number of companies specializing in bottled water are doing just that.

In spite of that problem, a reverse osmosis system's ability to separate the bad elements from water provides substantial benefits for populations whose water supply may be naturally contaminated or exposed to pollution. It also means that groundwater can be safely consumed and that seawater can be processed for use in agriculture. The science of reverse osmosis is continual and new developments are making this an even more effective means of managing water. Thanks to its ability to draw contaminants and salt out of water, many arid places now have sufficient water supplies where once there were none.

Water Softeners: Pros

It might seem a little odd to think of water as being “hard” but that is a term used to describe much of the water that is used domestically.  Hard water is liquid with a high concentration of minerals and/or metals in it. That does not mean the water is unsafe to drink, but it does mean that water with excessive amounts of calcium or iron can create some problems. Water softener in Houston is used primarily to minimize the consequences of using hard water.

These consequences are primarily with cleaning. Hard water can leave behind streaks in clothing and even deposits of soap residue. Softeners have advantage of rinsing through soap and eliminating scummy buildups. Furthermore, the water softener in Houston can also mean that clean doesn't require as much soap or detergent.

Appliances can be adversely affected by use of hard water. As with cleaning, the culprit is the residue left behind by hard water. Mineral residue can accumulate within an appliance such as a dishwasher and require repairs to be done on a routine basis. The softeners prevent the buildup from happening and consequently make the appliance run more efficiently and have a longer active life. Water can also heat up faster if it has been softened. The Virginia Cooperative Extension has studied hard water and concluded that efficiency improvements for electric water heaters and those that use natural gas are more than 20% for the former and close to 30% for the latter, provided that water softener is used.

While hot water may not seem to be a primary reason for using water softener in Houston, the life of a plumbing system is definitely. The residue from hard water can cause clogging in pipes and aid in the deterioration of plumbing. The proven ability of a water softener to reduce mineral deposits means that the risk of corrosion and build up is drastically reduced when water softeners are used in the home. This benefit extends to water fixtures such as faucets and shower heads as well.

It is fairly obvious by now that water softeners provide a good amount of benefit to any home. Extending the life of the plumbing alone is reason enough to consider using water softener in the domestic supply. As mentioned before, hard water is not hazardous anyone's health that can significantly reduce the effectiveness of household appliances and plumbing. Both are reason enough to consider adding softener to the water used in the house.

Water Filtration

Whether you know it or not, even your tap water should be run through a water filtration system before using it. Although the tap water in your home has been pre-treated, the treatment is done with chemicals that are toxic to humans. These chemicals should be removed from your water before you dink it, wash your clothing in it, bathe in it, or feed it to your animals.

There are many types of filters to choose from; whole house filters down to a pitcher that filters your drinking water. Many people use filters that attach to the kitchen faucet, but the truth is that you need to filter the water that comes in contact with your skin, as well. The skin can absorb toxins the same as your internal structures. Over a period of time these toxins can build up in the body and lead to both major and minor health problems.

A whole house filtration system is the best option for making sure that all of the water that comes in contact with you or your family is toxin free. There are other choices such as in-line filters, filters for your refrigerator water and ice, faucet filters and even filters for showers. By the time you have purchased all of these filters and you replace the filter cartridges for a while, you may find that you could have gotten the whole house system in the first place, and actually saved some money.

There are many different types of water filters from charcoal to reverse osmosis. Substantial research should be done before making a decision on a water filter system for your home. A consultation with a professional that you trust is one of the best ways to make sure that you get the perfect water filtration system for your home.

Contact Advanced Water Solutions today at 281-469-9227 for a consultation and a step to a healthier you with your new water filtration system!

The SmartChoice Gen II Water Softener

What's so great about this water softener? What makes it worth more than disposible softeners you see all over the market today? See below for answers to all of these questions and more. 

Why choose a serviceable water softener rather than a disposible one? Well, first of all, disposible water softeners weren't made to last; that's why they're disposible. The SmartChoice Gen II model is made to be a lasting appliance that can be serviced. It is made to be the last water sofener you have to buy!

How are these models engineered differently than others on the market? Take a look at this list and see if the water softener you're comparing this model to has all of these innovative and efficient means.

• Ultra Low Power Consumption
• Maximized Salt Efficiency
• Identifies Plumbing Leaks
• Provides Information about Water Usage
• Lithium Battery Backup
• Interchangeable Components that Separate Easily
• Failure to Use Salt Alert
• Non-Corosive Materials on All Parts
• Low Salt Alert
• Patented Vortech Technology that Extends Life and Performance of Media Bed
• Only One Moving Part
• Regeneration Based on Water Usage
• And More!!

The SmartChoice Gen II water softener comes in different designs to service customers best. There's a light commercial model that is ideal for commercial or large residential locations that require high water flow. You are also given many customization options with this particular model of water softener. It can be tailored to meet the needs of your family or your business beyond that of a particular design. 

As you can see, this particular water softener offers a lot to those who put it to use. If you would like more information, contact Advanced Water Solutions at 281-469-9227 today!