| Reducing the calcium or magnesium ion concentration | | | | to galvanic corrosion, in which one metal will |
| in hard water is not rocket science and can be easily | | | | preferentially corrode when in contact with another |
| achieved by installing a water softener. This gets rid | | | | type of metal. The use of water softeners can |
| of lots of the problems associated with hard water | | | | actually aggravate this and cause the heating |
| and at the same time reduces energy costs of | | | | elements in hot water heaters to corrode more |
| heating water with pipes full of limescale. So in short, | | | | quickly. |
| a water softener device can be a great idea to add | | | | Early water-softening devices intended for household |
| to your home. | | | | use depended on an ion-exchange resin in which |
| There are some major issues that hard water | | | | "hardness" ions trade places with the sodium that is |
| causes. Firstly, the calcium and magnesium react with | | | | found in the water softening device. Water softeners |
| soaps and sensitive detergents, hindering their ability | | | | are typically used when water is supplied from wells, |
| to lather and forming the ugly precipitate that will all | | | | and I receive correspondence from people all the |
| know as limescale buildup. Presence of these minerals | | | | time asking for help with hard water stains that their |
| also inhibits the cleaning effect of detergent | | | | water has caused. Public water systems are also |
| formulations. | | | | susceptible to hard water, although this is much less |
| Not only this, calcium and magnesium carbonates | | | | common. |
| tend to stick to the surfaces of pipes and heat | | | | There are various other ways of treating hard water |
| exchanger surfaces. The scale build-up resulting from | | | | including water filters, electromagnetic water |
| this can restrict water flow in pipes. In boilers, the | | | | conditioners and reverse osmosis. In the next article |
| build-up acts as thermal insulation that impedes the | | | | in this series we will look at the pros and cons of |
| flow of heat into the water. This not only reduces | | | | several of the available methods to treat water |
| heating efficiency, but allows the metal to overheat | | | | containing high levels of calcium and magnesium which |
| which, in a pressurized system, can lead to failure. | | | | are the cause of hard water stains forming on |
| The presence certain minerals in water can also lead | | | | fixtures and fittings around the home. |