Water contains many minerals that are essential to our health and well-being. This article will focus on calcium and magnesium levels in water. These dissolved minerals can build up in pipes, and other devices that water flows through. This can cause pipes to become blocked and may make soap and detergent difficult to dissolve in water. Water softening, which removes ions that cause water to be hard, is a technique to reduce the amount calcium and magnesium in water. It watersoftenershub.com can help to preserve your home’s plumbing.
Water that is high in calcium and magnesium is called hard water.
Regular Water Softeners vs Salt Free Water Softeners
Two tanks are needed for conventional softeners. One is the resin tank, and one is the brine. This tank allows for the use of an ion exchange process to remove calcium and magnesium ions. The water flows through a resin “bead” which contains sodium ions. Calcium ions and magnesium are attracted to these sodium ions and stick to them. The device will temporarily stop if there is no room for more calcium and magnesium ions. Theoretically, conventional softeners’ water will contain no calcium or magnesium, but more sodium.
Salt-free softeners don’t use salt (sodium), which is used to dissolve calcium and magnesium in water. The most popular salt-free water softener type is known as a potassium chlorine water softener. This is because instead of adding salt (sodium), potassium is added. This is proven to be healthy even in large quantities.
Below is a scale taken from the US government, which measures the hardness.
Soft contains between 0-60mg/L Calcium Carbonate
Moderate contains 61 to 120mg/L calcium carbonate
Hard contains between 121 and 180mg/L calcium carbonate
Very Hard contains 181mg/L calciumcarbonate or more
Benefits of Salt Free Versions
Salty water can have negative effects on people who have underlying health conditions like high blood pressure, which requires a restricted amount of salt intake. These conditions may require that people look for alternative sources of water or find ways to soften their water. Reviewers of salt free water softeners say that the maintenance costs are more expensive than those of conventional water softeners. Some reviews show that potassium pellets (or beads) cost twice as much as salt pellets.