If you’re like most people, you probably find it annoying to have to repeatedly scrub your bathtub and sinks every few weeks to remove the white scale that always seems to return without fail. Also known as Limescale, these hard, off-white chalky deposits are a commonly found water nuisance that can be found in many homes and is most prevalent in areas where the water is hard. They will collect on your faucets, counters, and dishwashers, attaching strongly to any hard surface and making it very hard to remove.
Why Water Gives You A Hard Time
The term hard water is used to describe water that has high mineral content. While there are many types of minerals in the water, the most common are sodium, calcium and magnesium. When water has high levels of calcium and magnesium bicarbonate, the conditions for developing hard scale in the home greatly increase. These dissolved bicarbonate compounds will precipitate out when the water temperature rises, therefore any appliances that heat water will develop some level of limescale. Since hot water is delivered throughout the house, your home’s water pipes and delivery infrastructure may also have scaling issues over time which could cause clogs or water damage. The overall problems associated with heavy scale buildup are a big concern for many homeowners.
Hard Water Problems Are Easy to See
- Unsightly white scale on tub, faucets, sinks and countertops
- Decreased water flow efficiency throughout the entire house
- Increased possibility of clogs and backflow in plumbing and drain pipes
- Water flow blockage for faucets, showerheads & refrigerator ice-makers
- Reduced energy efficiency & service life of dishwashers, washing machines
- Water spots on dishes, glassware and silverware
- Weak soap lather makes cleaning skin, hair and clothes more difficult
- Increased soap costs ; higher water and energy bills
Treatment Solutions
Fortunately there are several effective methods available to remove scale buildup from your home which include both salt-free and salt-based water softening technologies.
Salt-free water softening is a new advancement in water treatment technology that conditions water without the use of salt or corrosive chemicals. These systems use an advanced ceramic media that effectively attracts and neutralizes hard water properties without the need for regeneration, backwashing, or electricity. When water comes into contact with the catalytic surface of the media, calcium, and magnesium become attached to the ceramic granules and is converted into a scale-resistant crystalline form that will not attach to hard surfaces. These no-salt systems are more eco-friendly because they do not require rinse water and electricity, are easier to maintain, and are 100% salt-free making them a healthier alternative to traditional water softening techniques.
Traditional water softeners use salt and ion-exchange resins to remove calcium and magnesium from the water. These resins are coated in a sodium solution and when hard water comes into contact with the resin beads, the calcium and magnesium ions migrate out of the solution to the active sites on the resin and are replaced in the solution by sodium ions. This process is the most commonly used method for soft water and requires an automatic control head with a timer to provide efficient regeneration and backwashing cycles. While these systems will require regular weekly sodium replacement, they do also deliver the best overall scale removal performance.
Both salt-free and traditional water softeners will reduce the scale buildup in your home and provide you with better overall water quality. By treating hard water today, you are making an important investment into your home which will save you money, time, and hassle for many years to come.
