Water Softeners

Water Softeners are used to treat hard water. They work by replacing chemicals in hard water areas which cause scaling, calcium and magnesium carbonate, with sodium or potassium.

Now, potassium chloride salt substitute is widely available. Instead of exchanging hardness for sodium (which most people get too much of in their diets), it exchanges for more healthful potassium (which most people don't get enough of). Fruits and vegetables are naturally high in potassium.

It also exchanges most naturally occurring sodium in your water for potassium. People trying to watch their sodium intake can now have the benefits of a water softener, and drink sodium free soft water.

They may also remove a small amount of iron or manganese, but not enough to have any major effect.

Water Softeners will generally require a professional installation, and they are relatively expensive to both purchase and maintain. However they do make their money back eventually...With a water softener you can expect more than 50% savings in the amount of washing powder, soap, shampoo, conditioner and cleaning products used.

Chemical/electrolytic/magneticde-scalers prevent these chemicals depositing themselves inside pipes, tanks and shower heads.

Water Filters remove bacteria, chlorine, pesticide residues etc. For more detailed information on these products click here.

What is hard water?

Water described as "hard" is high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not a health risk, but a nuisance because of mineral buildup on fixtures and poor soap and/or detergent performance.

Water is a good solvent and picks up impurities easily. Pure water -- tasteless, colorless, and odorless -- is often called the universal solvent. When water is combined with carbon dioxide to form very weak carbonic acid, an even better solvent results.

As water moves through soil and rock, it dissolves very small amounts of minerals and holds them in solution. Calcium and magnesium dissolved in water are the two most common minerals that make water "hard." The degree of hardness becomes greater as the calcium and magnesium content increases.