What You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Water Softener

There are several different options when it comes to treating the water in your home.  The decision on whether you choose to install a water softener, water conditioner, reverse osmosis system, water purification, or water filtration system all comes down to the quality of the water from your tap.  Depending on the minerals and contaminants that are in your water the treatment option chosen for installation will vary.  Below are the most commonly asked questions surrounding water softeners and water treatment options.

What is hard water by definition?

All water naturally contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium that dissolve in it.  Water that contains more than one grain of a combination of minerals is considered to be hard.  To determine what level of minerals can be found in your homes water bring a sample from each faucet into Reynolds Water Conditioning Co. 

What should concern me about having hard water?

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to having hard water is the scaling that occurs in pipes and fixtures.  Scaling occurs when water is heated and minerals re-crystalizing.  These scales then get into appliances that use water such as the washer, water heater, and dishwasher decreasing its lifespan.

Another issue made worse because of hard water is soap scum in showers, on your hair, skin, and even clothing.  Soap combined with hard water forms a scummy substance that accumulates.  Even after rinsing thoroughly soap scum deposits are still present.

Why do I need to soften the water in my home?

When your home has hard water, the installation of a water softener can often help.  Soft water is beneficial for a variety of reasons.  Not only does it prevent scaling, but it also allows you to use less detergent, reduces spotting on fixtures and dishes, helps to increase the longevity of appliances, and more.

Are there reasons I should not use a water softener?

If you are on a low sodium diet, you will want to consider a water softener alternative. Water softeners use a process of ionization using salt to soften hard water. Salt ions attract hard water minerals and deposit them on the water softener resin (simply put of course). Basically, the salt ions and mineral ions trade places with one another which is why the soft water contains extra salt. 

Do I need to soften water outdoors or on my ice maker?

Yes, the water in your ice maker should be softened prior to making ice.  Softened water does not leave scale deposits which water that has not been softened does. 

Irrigation systems are a personal choice.  If water is left untreated there is a high potential for outdoor staining to occur.  Hard water deposits minerals such as iron on to landscaping, siding, and outdoor furniture which overtime discolors the materials. 

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

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Sprinklers And Hard Water Could Lead to Siding Stains

Having sprinkler systems installed while living in South Florida is pretty common, however having brown iron spots covering the outside of your siding is not exactly what homeowners are happy to see when living there.

Where does this brown coloring on siding coming from? The answer is from the hard water inside the sprinklers.  The mineral filled water hits the siding on your house and although it seems harmless at first, it will start to produce more and more iron stains.

A local woman named Karen Clarke had this very issue at her condo. Her sprinkler was set to spray only the grass but somehow had gotten turned which made it begin hitting the home instead. The article done by WSVN gives further details on this occurrence. Reynolds Water Conditioning Company specializes in these hard water needs and has options available such as Irrigation Stain Control Systems to help provide prevention from such hard water stains from occurring in the first place.

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Do You Trust the Quality of Water Coming from Your Tap?

Ever since the water crisis in Flint, MI many homeowners all around the United States have started to pay closer attention to the water coming from their tap.  Issues with the water supply in Milwaukee have recently surfaced as well, more info can be found at NPR WUWM 89.7.  This focus on tap water quality has led to research, both official and unofficial, being done on where people are getting their drinking water from.  It is safe to say that most homeowners are still enjoying quality water from their taps, 51% remarking they drink straight from the tap and 40% saying they filter tap water before drinking it.  This isn’t really a surprise considering the multitude of water treatment options available to remove the contaminants in water throughout the home.  If you are one of the many homeowners questioning the quality of your tap water the experts at Reynolds water Conditioning Company help! 

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WQA calls attention to phony door-to-door solicitations

“We don’t use scare tactics to generate business”

LISLE, Ill. (May 1, 2019) – Now that spring has arrived, with solicitors busy knocking on doors, the Water Quality Association reminds homeowners that anyone claiming to represent the WQA in door-to-door solicitations should be considered an imposter.

 “The Water Quality Association does not solicit door-to-door, period,” said WQA Executive Director Pauli Undesser. “WQA has a strict code of ethics for our members and for manufacturers of water treatment products. We don’t use scare tactics to generate business.”

Even so, WQA hears frequently from homeowners who say someone claiming to be from WQA has asked to test their water or tried to sell them a water treatment device. In just a few days this April, homeowners from three cities in Texas and Florida notified WQA of people claiming to have been sent by WQA to do inspections, solicitors wearing shirts with the WQA logo, and people passing out flyers that falsely claim membership in the WQA. One homeowner even provided a doorbell camera photo.

WQA recommends homeowners have their water tested by a water treatment professional or certified lab. Water treatment professionals who hold membership in WQA are allowed to use the “WQA Member” logo in specific ways but not to claim to represent the Association instead of a dealership; WQA members in your area can be found using WQA’s Find Water Treatment Providers tool. The Association offers other suggestions for finding reputable water treatment professionals on its website.

In addition, WQA recommends treatment products that have been certified to work as claimed. Consumers can visit WQA’s product certification listings to search WQA’s database of certified products.

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Stain Control for the Rust In Michigan Irrigation Systems

Rust is a common element in water that is flowing through Michigan irrigation systems.  One way that homeowners can ensure that this rust doesn’t cause staining to outdoor furniture, landscaping, or siding is to install a water treatment system that offers irrigation stain control.  Reynolds Water Conditioning Company offers a system that is designed specifically for this purpose.  In these systems a concentration of a bio-degradable solution is injected into the irrigation stream as it enters the irrigation system.

Irrigation stain control water treatment systems help to prevent the formation of rust and red water staining outdoors.  The solution that is injected into the water is safe in preventing stains without harmful acids and chlorides.  Not only does the solution prevent staining it protects against corrosion, pitting, and plant life damage. 

Now that we know how we go about preventing future staining it is important that we remove the rust stains that have already formed.  Landscape rocks are one of the most versatile materials that can be used when creating a natural space.  When rocks are exposed to the elements a natural unattractive red staining can occur.  It can come from the rust in the irrigation water and from a chemical reaction between irrigation water and iron that can be present on landscape rocks.  Most stains can be removed by using an oxalic acid bath or a combination of powdered clay and liquid rust remover.  There are also a number of over the counter products that remove rust all of which can be found at local hardware stores. 

Cleaning Small Landscaping Rocks

To safely clean your landscaping rocks first removal the built-up dirt and debris. Place larger rocks in a bucket.  Put on some rubber gloves and safety goggles combining one gallon of distilled water with one pound of oxalic acid crystals.  Mix carefully with a wooden spoon until crystals are dissolved.  Pour the solution slowly over the landscaping rocks to avoid splashing.  Use enough solution to cover the rocks.  Let this sit until rust no longer remains.  Add baking soda slowly to the oxalic mixture to neutralize it.  This will cause the mixture to bubble and foam up.  Once this process stops you can remove the rocks from the bucket with rubber gloves.  This mixture can be disposed of down the drain.  Rinse the landscape rocks with a garden hose. 

Cleaning Large Landscaping Rocks

Rinse landscape rocks with a garden hose.  Put on rubber gloves and mix rust remover with powdered clay to make a thick paste.  Apply a thick layer to the stains with a spatula.  Allow the paste to sit for 24 to 48 hours.  Cover with plastic wrap or a large tarp to allow the paste to dry completely.  Once the mixture is dry you can scrape it off with a plastic knife.  The rocks should then be washed off with a garden hose.  If rusts or stains remain the process can be repeated. 

Tips for Cleaning Rust

  • Test the acid solution/paste on an area of hidden rocks before cleaning the lot.
  • If the paste leaves marks on the rocks use a wet cloth and polishing powder to buff them out.
  • Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection.
  • Work carefully to avoid splashing on your skin.
  • Use caution to prevent breathing in dust from the oxalic acid and removed paste.
  • While cleaning keep pets and children away from the area.

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

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Protecting Your Home from Your Summer Time Sprinklers

Summer is right around the corner and although we are all looking forward to more heat and longer days, having to deal with brown landscaping is not one of them. A subdivision in Layton UT is dealing with just that. The brown is not coming from the dead grass however but from water stains that cover fences, sidewalks, and homes siding. Problems started to occur when a secondary water source from an irrigation company that was contracted to the neighborhood.  The culprit of the problem is the iron manganese found in the pond water that is being transferred to the homes water supply. One option that is effective in these types of situations is installing an Irrigation Stain Control System. Reynolds Water Conditioning Company specializes in these products with more than 25 years experience. To read more on this new article https://kutv.com/news/get-gephardt/sprinkler-water-staining-properties-in-layton

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Maintaining Your Home’s Property With Rust Control

One thing that people look for when purchasing a new home or condo is that the property has been well maintained.  Properties with siding and landscape materials covered in rust have a significant decrease in curb appeal then those without the unsightly stains.  Check out this article for proof of the lack of appeal rusty siding has on condo owners…

The difference between properties with stains and those without is the water treatment system used to “fuel” their irrigation system.  When sprinklers pull straight from the a well that contains high levels of iron the mineral residue will cause staining.  The only way that homeowners and property maintenance companies can prevent this occurrence is with the installation of an irrigation stain control system.

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Solutions for Rust and Iron Prevention In Well Water

Throughout the year we spend a lot of time thinking about the water quality in our home.  We all desire high quality water in our homes which is why many of us will install a system to treat our water.  There are several different water treatment solutions available including water softeners, water conditioners, reverse osmosis filtration, iron filters, and water purification systems. Each available system serves a different purpose and meets the needs of homeowners differently.  Testing and analyzing the water from your home will determine what system or systems best fits your needs.

When warmer weather starts to move in, we quickly shift gears from the water in our home to the water outside of our homes.  Let’s face it, water is essential to create and maintain a healthy landscape.  When Mother Nature isn’t producing the water, we need for this to happen we turn to our irritation systems.  For many of us this is when we start to notice the unsightly effects of rust and iron within our irrigation systems.

There isn’t a whole lot treating your water will do for existing rust and iron stains however installing an irrigation stain control system can prevent further damage.  Rust and iron prevention and remover are two different aspects in preparing your home and irrigation system for the spring and summer seasons.  In order to remove existing stains on landscaping, siding, sidewalks, and more there are many safe, biodegradable options available to homeowners.  For irrigation rust and iron prevention, the experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning Company can help! 

There are three different water treatment systems that work well in irrigation applications.  The results of your well water analysis will better help to determine which system will best suit your specific need.  The most common option for irrigation systems using well water with a high density of rust elements is the installation of a system that combines specialized equipment and chemicals. 

The Reynolds Irrigation Stain Control System is a combination of the best equipment and chemicals available on the market today.  It is a system that has over 25 years of results to prove it is effective in preventing the rust stains that can be found on the outdoor surfaces around your home. This specific system works to prevent red water stains and rust from forming on patio furniture, siding, and more without the use of harmful chemical solutions. 

The specialized RC solution used in the Reynolds Irrigation Stain Control System is not only safe for plants and animals it protects against corrosion and pitting as well as being 100% bio-degradable and safe for the environment. This solution is added to a tank that includes a flow switch and an injection pump.  The solution is introduced to the water stream as it enters the irrigation system which prevents staining. 

Other options that are available to improve the quality of the water running through your irrigation system include the Reynolds ClearStream Iron-Rust-Odor Filter and Reynolds Chlorinator.  Both systems treat the amount of iron in well water.  When iron is removed for the water before it enters the irrigation system, outdoor staining can be prevented.  

.  Both systems treat the amount of iron in well water.  When iron is removed for the water before it enters the irrigation system, outdoor staining can be prevented.  

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://www.reynoldswater.com/irrigation-iron-removal.

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How Should I Prepare My Irrigation System?

Irrigation system
Ensure a long life for your irrigation system with regular maintenance. Dreamstime

If you’ve installed an automatic irrigation system in your lawn, you already know you’ve made a significant investment in your lawn’s health. Protect that investment by taking the proper steps to turning it on for the first time in the season. Irrigation systems involve many small moving parts and a constant water flow, and these elements require frequent maintenance. You should perform an inspection at least twice a year — when you start up for spring and when you close up for winter.

START UP AFTER FREEZING ENDS

You can handle many elements of preparation yourself with a little know-how and care. If you properly winterized your system last fall, you’ve already drained and blown out all the excess water, so the pipes are clear. Check the weather report before turning on your system for the first time. Frozen water is an irrigation system’s greatest nemesis. Make sure you’ve passed the season’s last frost before turning things on.

If you activate your system yourself, make sure you check all zones to make sure the heads are working properly and rotors and sprayers are doing what they should be doing. Look closely for water bubbling up around the heads. That could indicate a crack or a leak that will need to be repaired. In any case, it’s a good idea to hire an irrigation professional to perform a thorough inspection, which can help pinpoint leaks or other potential problems. This service usually costs between $65 and $100. This inspection helps catch problems early. For minor problems, early repair will prevent your system from wasting water. And for bigger problems, you could prolong your system’s life by repairing them before they cause major damage. A technician can also offer advice about the best way to set up each sprinkler head to allocate water use.

An irrigation inspector will check for leaks, check for wiring issues, verify that the timer is working properly, slowly pressurize the main line, check the rain sensor, check all the zones for proper function and spray patterns, straighten crooked heads, and perhaps most importantly, test the backflow preventer.

CHECK THE BACKFLOW

Your backflow preventer is a crucial component of the irrigation system, and often you can’t check it yourself. Outdoor water can easily become tainted by fertilizers, pesticides and animal waste. If that material flows back into the potable water system, your family could easily become sick by drinking the tainted water. A backflow preventer makes sure the flow of irrigation water goes only one way: out!

In fact, this is so important that many municipalities require irrigation system owners to hire a certified professional to perform a test and verify it works, even if you aren’t performing separate maintenance. In most cases, a pro will include this service as part of the overall system inspection. Check your local regulations for details, and even if it’s not required, strongly consider a backflow inspection anyway.

Original Source: https://www.wvnews.com/ask-angie-s-list-how-should-i-prepare-my-irrigation/article_8fcba7e2-6d70-58bd-856b-1196ed820e10.html

Original Date: April 7 2019

Written By: Paul F.P. Pogue

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