Salt-Softened Water
Salt softened water PRINCIPAL
Salt softened water is based on ionic exchange. For each calcium and magnesium ion (the hardness minerals) two sodium ions go into the water. A traditional softener using salt does not filter chlorine, volatile organic compounds, or is considered a filtration system. A salt softener usually has a reverse osmosis system at the kitchen sink to remove the added sodium.
Salt softened water FEEL
Salt-softened water feels mushy and has a slippery or slimy feel when bathing with soap. Many people do not like the feel of salt softened water, because it feels as if they can’t ever completely rinse off the soap ? your skin feels like it has a slippery coating. Consumers are told that salt softeners bring out the natural oils of your body. This is not true. It is a sign of over regeneration and over softening.
Salt softened water AESTHETICS
Salt softeners can prevent the scale build-up in pipes and water heaters by removing the hardness minerals of calcium and magnesium. Because of the sodium content, softened water unites with soap limiting bathtub rings, allows better results with clothes washers and dishwashers, and leaves shower doors virtually free of the usual soap scum build-up. Most laundry and dishwashing detergents contain a lot of sodium. Sodium causes more suds, however suds do not clean. Even though the minerals are gone, the total dissolved solids in the water has not changed and therefore when water is left, it will leave a residue on surfaces or around faucets which is simply wiped up. Salt softened water can also cause spotting depending on how much sodium is in the water.
SALT IS CORROSIVE
Those in The Navy are familiar with the term “Marine Whites.” Sailors used to put their white clothes in ocean water to whiten them. Caution had to be used because if the clothes remained too long in the heavily salt-laden water, they would deteriorate. Salt is corrosive. Softeners use the same salt spread on icy roads, which destroys the underside of cars. Those living near oceans know well the corrosiveness of salt to cars, houses, etc. Many people with galvanized pipes found that salt softened water did prevent scale build-up, but the trade-off was the salt also corroded their pipes.
Homeowners with salt softeners will go through more water heaters because of the salt?s corrosive effect on the heating coils. Always check with a manufacturer’s warranty related to water. Softened water should not go to a pool or spa. Hard water and naturally soft water have their maintenance issues, however softened water offers potential problems that may imply or outright void the warranty on certain products.
The whole house water conditioner
The whole house water conditioner PRINCIPLE
The whole house water conditioner combines both filtration and conditioning in one system. The filtration is accomplished with a very high grade of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC). Used extensively in both water and air filtration, GAC works on the principle of adsorption, where substances in water are attracted to, and adhere to the surface of the carbon. GAC is carbon that has been activated to produce an extensive intricate inner pore structure with a large surface area.
GAC is most widely used for the removal of chlorine, chloramines (chlorine and ammonia), bad taste and odors. It is also used to remove volatile organic compounds, phenols, herbicides, pesticides, and surfactants. Most minerals, having the same polarity as carbon, are not removed when filtering through carbon. Carbon is the last stage in both reverse osmosis and distillation systems for removal of chlorine and volatile organic compounds.
The ICN Conditioner causes a physical change of the minerals. The minerals are breaking apart from the water molecules and bond together. Operating on principles of polarity, the calcium and magnesium are attracted each other rather than attaching to pipes and other surfaces. The minerals are put into a suspended state, making them less adhering. Technically, this is called “increased calcite nucleation”.
The whole house water conditioner FEEL
Environmental Water has more of the feel of naturally soft water (water with lower mineral content). It does not feel slippery, slimy, or mushy soft, like salt softened water. No water in its natural state feels like salt softened water. Soaps produce more lather with The whole house water conditioner conditioned and filtered water versus untreated water. However, these soaps will rinse off quickly and cleanly, unlike salt softened water. Less soaps, shampoos, coffee grounds, tea, etc., are needed with The whole house water conditioner system.
The whole house water conditioner AESTHETICS
THE whole house water conditioner will tend to sheet. If water is left to dry on any surface it will leave something behind. These spots will simply wipe off versus untreated water where more work and special products may have to be used. Those who are replacing a salt softener must be told that there will be fewer suds with The whole house water conditioner. The sodium content of salt softened water causes more suds. This is particularly true with some of the biodegradable laundry detergents. You should not use more soap to get more suds. Clothes will get clean without the excess soap and suds and rinse out and dry easier. The same with your dishwasher – use the appliance properly and with less powdered detergent.
When showering, The whole house water conditioner treated water rinses off quickly and cleanly. The whole house water conditioner makes the water easier to clean up, just like a softener, (our approach is different). A dishwasher still needs to be used properly, toilets need to be cleaned, and surfaces need to be wiped off.
The whole house water conditioner will prevent new scale and corrosion in pipes, and will de-scale existing pipes and fixtures. Older water heaters should be drained to remove scale and sediment after an initial installation. Water heaters will work more efficiently, and a savings on fuel and/or electricity will result. After de-scaling water heaters, they should be drained at least once a year. Water heater manufacturers recommend this procedure as preventive maintenance.
Related Links:
Home Water Softeners Benefits and Installation
Water Softener – What it is and where you use it?
Why should you consider installing a whole house water softener
4 Reasons To Consider Whole House Water Filters
The benefits of using shower water filter systems
Stavros is a professional water quality specialist and holds an extensive knowledge of various water filtration technologies, including reverse osmosis, water softeners, water purification systems and additional water treatment techniques for residential and commercial use. He has written extensively on the subject of water filtration and treatment, with his work appearing in industry publications such as Water Technology and Water Quality Products.
In addition to his professional work, Stavros supports the environmental sustainability and is committed to promoting eco-friendly water filtration solutions. He believes that everyone has to have access to clean, safe drinking water and is dedicated to helping people achieve this goal.
Stavros resides in Larnaca Cyprus with his family and enjoys sailing. He can be reached at tel: +357 99626069 and is available to provide expert advice on all aspects of water filtration systems, including installation, maintenance, and replacement filters.
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