HomeWise.ie
Ireland's Home & Garden Search Engine
   


Seller Signup...

Quality Service, Seller or Tradesperson? Sign Up Now!




Home & Garden Articles


Water Softeners on Your Side - Win the Fight Against Hard Water

Wed 25 Nov 2009 - 08:54

Water Softeners on Your Side - Win the Fight Against Hard Water
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ans_Van_Tuel]Ans Van Tuel

Water hardness is one of the most common problems encountered by homeowners nowadays when it comes to water supply. Hard water may seem like a trivial problem, especially with all the contaminants further threatening your water supply. However, hard water can do a lot more damage than you might think. It can cause discoloration and make your clothes feel hard and dingy. It can also affect your hair and skin since they also get exposed to hard water on a daily basis.

On top of that, hard water can also affect the condition of your appliance such as washing machines, water heaters, and dishwashers. One of the primary reasons behind the hardness of water is the high mineral content in the supply, and with plenty of minerals, there is also plenty of residue left in your water pipes as well as in your sinks, bathtubs, and wherever else that gets touched by water frequently. Aside from dirtying up and weakening your water appliances, the residue can also cause clogs frequently, which can shorten the life span of your water appliances.

*Why You Need Them on Your Side

Home softeners are useful home appliances that work by effectively replacing the calcium and magnesium ions in your water supply with sodium ions. The sodium ions are kept in a resin tank where the water passes through. As the water makes its way through the tank, the sodium ions then work as chemical magnets that take the place of the calcium and magnesium ions, both of which are hardness ions. These ions are then transferred to a brine tank, never to bother your water supply again. Thus, the hardness of water is removed.

The sodium ions eventually run out, however. This is why softeners undergo regeneration processes wherein its sodium ion supply is replenished.

With water hardness removed, water becomes softer, and so will your skin, hair, and clothes, all of which come into contact with your water supply. Your water-based appliances also benefit from the softened water; residues are eliminated, so your appliances perform better and last longer.

Which Weapon Do You Prefer?

1. Manual

A manual water softener requires you to control the recharge process using manual valves. This type of softener gives you control over the recharge settings such as the frequency and the length of time the process takes.

2. Automatic softeners

This type of water softener is said to be the most popular in the market. Automatic softeners are those that automatically regenerate on a given time. They are equipped with a timer that determines when the regeneration process will begin. This is very easy to use because all you have to do is set the timer, though you will be required to add salt whenever necessary.

3. Semi-automatic softeners

Semi-automatic softeners lie in between the manual and the automatic softeners. They do not give you control over the settings of the recharge process, but you get to decide when to start the recharge cycle by simply pushing a button.

4. Demand-initiated regeneration

Demand-initiated regeneration softeners are those that regenerate when the device thinks it is already time to, based on the amount of water you consume and the amount that is left. This is made possible by its two water softening tanks: the other is used for the softened water, and the other is used for the recharge cycle.

To Find More about choosing water softener reviews please visit our homepage at http://www.water-purification-guide.com

Copyright 2009 Water-purification-guide.com, all rights reserved

Ans is the editor Water-purification-guide.com which provides you with the water softener and water purifier reviews. To Find More about choosing a water softener reviews please visit our homepage at http://www.water-purification-guide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ans_Van_Tuel http://EzineArticles.com/?Water-Softeners-on-Your-Side---Win-the-Fight-Against-Hard-Water&id=3226647


Looking for information on General Home Improvement, Find a supplier at HomeWise.ie

back to General Home Improvement articles
back to all home & garden articles