What are the Effects of Hard Water and How do I Fix it?

With the popularity of my 3 blogs on “What’s That Smell?” one of the issues has been what to do about hard water situations. This is a subject that , I personally, have never had to deal with and admit that my knowledge is limited. Last week I wrote that I had started playing around with “Twitter” and while I find it to be mostly full of spam and get rich quick schemes, I have managed to establish some new friendships with folks in various elements of the home improvement business that I am not well versed in. One of these friendships and cooperative efforts comes from Ian Adams at Crawford Supply. They own a division called Charger Water and deal in several home based water treatment systems. In reading the material Ian sent me the one that intrigued me the most and seemed to fit the scenarios that I have been running across lately was one called the “Iron Breaker”(AS PICTURED LEFT). From this material here is a brief explanation of what hard water does to your home and appliances and how a water softener system such as the “Iron Breaker” works.
Hard water causes unwanted mineral buildup in appliances, on glasses and silverware, and stains shower curtains and doors. It also robs much of the cleaning power of expensive soaps and detergents. A water softener system reduces the minerals that cause rust stains, damaging build-up, unnecessary money spent on cleaners and are the simplest and most dependable. Conditioned water means a softer Iife style and all of your water using appliances will lead longer lives. Dishwashers, automatic clothes washers and, of course, your water heater will benefit from reduced scale buildup. Adding years of life to major appliances and postponing expensive replacements. Your home's plumbing system is vulnerable to mineral scale accumulation inside the pipes. As hard water build up closes the pipes, water flow is restricted reducing water pressure. Soft water prevents scale buildup, preserves water pressure and helps prevent serious plumbing problems and unnecessary repairs.
How does it work? Hard water passes through the media tank containing resin beads coated with sodium ions. The calcium and magnesium ions are exchanged for sodium (or potassium) ions, thus softening the water. When the beads have trapped the hardness and need to be incinerated the system’s meter-driven valve recharges them with brine from the brine tank Regeneration occurs automatically at metered intervals. Calcium and magnesium ( hardness ions) are freed from the beads and replaced with sodium or potassium ions and the system is ready to soften water, agaln.
The Crawford Group of Companies, like National Builder Supply, are a family owned company based out of Morton Grove, Illinois. They have been in business for over 30 years. They touch all facets of water – kitchens (water and cabinets), baths, and even radiant heating systems. The Crawford Group of Companies provides solutions for plumbing, heating and kitchen cabinets. They are strategically located in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, a distribution network that proudly serves the Great Lakes Region. The Crawford Group is made up of Inland Supply, KDA of Wisconsin, Builders Plumbing Supply, Builders Heating Supply, Plumbers Equipment Company, Crawford Supply and Charger Water, the division that deals with water softener products such as the one discussed today. http://www.chargerwater.com/ for further info and many thanks to Ian Adams for helping me today.