What Is Hard Water?
Hardness is nothing more than the presence of certain minerals in your primary supply. Depending on your hardness, it causes problems for home plumbing systems, like mineral deposits on plumbing fixtures and clogged pipes. So, it’s not a problem to take lightly. As we hinted at above, there are different types of hard water. They are temporary hardness and permanent hardness. Let’s explore the two classes in a bit more detail: Permanent Hardness Permanently hard water is water contaminated with sulfates or chlorides. The most common ones are magnesium sulfate/chloride and calcium sulfate/chloride. Since chlorides and sulfates won’t precipitate from the water with heat, boiling won’t help. So instead, to remove permanent hardness, a water softener (ion exchange column) is necessary. Temporary Hardness Temporary hardness occurs when dissolved bicarbonate minerals are present. Calcium bicarbonate minerals in temporarily hard water are calcium bicarbonate and magnesium bicarbonate. Since bicarbonates precipitate from it when heated, you can remove temporary hardness by boiling. Generally, temporary hardness is nothing to worry about.How Do You Get Rid Of It?
Getting rid of hardness depends on the type of hardness present in your supply. You’ll require an ion exchange water softener if you have permanent hardness. However, adding a simple boiler to your system can solve your problems if you have temporary hardness. For more information on boilers and water softeners, contact our team of plumbing professionals.Contact The Plumbers At Dependable Rooter & Plumbing Today!
If you’re experiencing problems with hard water, then don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place. Contact the plumbing and drain experts at Dependable Rooter & Plumbing to schedule a service call today! We’re always standing by to help! We offer sewer repair and other plumbing services in the following areas:Frequently Asked Questions
What is hard water?
Hardness is the presence of certain minerals in your primary supply. Depending on your hardness, it causes problems for home plumbing systems, like mineral deposits on plumbing fixtures and clogged pipes. There are two types: temporary hardness from dissolved bicarbonate minerals and permanent hardness from sulfates or chlorides.
How do you get rid of hard water?
Getting rid of hardness depends on the type of hardness present in your supply. An ion exchange water softener is required for permanent hardness, while adding a simple boiler to your system can solve temporary hardness.
What is temporary hardness?
Temporary hardness occurs when dissolved bicarbonate minerals are present, such as calcium bicarbonate and magnesium bicarbonate. These bicarbonates precipitate when the water is heated, so boiling can remove temporary hardness.
What is permanent hardness?
Permanent hardness is water contaminated with sulfates or chlorides, most commonly magnesium sulfate or chloride and calcium sulfate or chloride. Chlorides and sulfates do not precipitate from the water with heat, so boiling will not remove them.
Can boiling water remove hardness?
Boiling removes temporary hardness because the dissolved bicarbonates precipitate when heated. It will not help with permanent hardness, since chlorides and sulfates do not precipitate from the water with heat.
Why does a water softener help with permanent hardness?
A water softener works as an ion exchange column to remove the sulfates or chlorides that cause permanent hardness. Since boiling cannot remove those minerals, an ion exchange softener is necessary for permanently hard water.
Does hard water cause clogged pipes and fixture deposits?
Depending on the hardness of the supply, hard water causes mineral deposits on plumbing fixtures and clogged pipes. That makes hardness a problem worth taking seriously.
