Beware! Your Water Filter Might Still Be Letting Toxins Through

Think all water filter pitchers are created equal? Think again. Some could be letting harmful toxins into your drinking water.

Water filter jug and a glass on the wooden windowsillAfrica Studio/ShutterstockThey say “slow and steady wins the race,” and when it comes to water filter pitchers? Turns out they’re right. A recent study out of The Ohio State University revealed water filters that work too quickly may be letting harmful toxins get through to your drinking water (and you won’t believe what toxins might be in your drinking water!).

For the study, published in the journal Water Science Technology: Water Supply the scientists compared three popular pitcher brands for their ability to clear “dangerous microcystins” from tap water. Microcystins are a common group of algae found in calm waters like reservoirs, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and they can sicken or kill people and animals who drink water contaminated with them.

“Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are a global threat to human health due to contamination of drinking water,” according to the study. “To ensure public safety, water treatment plants must have the capability to remove [them] from water. Recently, however, there have been several instances when [they’ve] been detected in tap water.” With that in mind, the scientists extracted microcystins from Lake Erie, diluted them in tap water, and then subjected the tap water to three different water filter pitchers, each of which is readily available on the market.

It turned out that the pitcher that took the longest to filter the water—it uses a blend of activated carbon—effectively decreased microcystins to below detectable levels. The pitcher that filtered water fastest—using coconut-based activated carbon—removed 50 percent or less. Lead study author, Justin Chaffin, PhD, the research coordinator for Ohio State’s Stone Laboratory, believes that when water is passing through carbon, “contact time really seems to matter.” In the study, contact time ranged from two minutes per liter (in the worst-performing pitcher) to six minutes per liter (for the best). The middle-of-the-road pitcher took about four minutes per liter.

The researchers didn’t name brand names, according to EurekAlert, but when deciding which pitcher to buy, you can compare individual pitchers based on the speed of percolation and the kind of carbon used in the filter. In addition, Dr. Chaffin hinted that the cheaper the water filter pitcher, the worse it might be at filtering microcystins. Also, even though the study shows certain water pitchers are effective, the researchers caution against using any water source known to be contaminated. A far safer solution would be to switch to bottled water in that case.

Original source: https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/water-filter-might-still-be-letting-toxins-through/

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Water Softening Systems that Don’t Dry the Skin

Water softening systems attach to the water supply in a home and rectify hard water by removing excessive minerals from it. There any many styles of water softening systems on the market, from whole house water softening systems to smaller sized water softening systems.

Types of Water Softening Systems

Although there are many different styles and manufacturers of water softening systems, there are only two major types: those that use salt as a filter medium and saltless water softeners. Traditional salt water softeners actually neutralize the hard minerals in the water using salt crystals. This results in slick feeling water.

Saltless water softeners use resins, instead of salt, and soften water by changing the composition of the hard minerals which prevent the minerals from sticking to anything, like skin or sink drains.

What are Saltless Water Softeners?

Saltless water softeners are large water tanks very similar to a hot water heater. They are attached to the main water supply for the home, usually in the basement or garage. The water line enters the top of the saltless water softener and flows into the tank, where it passes over a layer of resin beads in the bottom of the water tank.

These resin beads are coated with a light salt solution, called brine, which causes an ion exchange with the water and removes hard minerals. The softened water flows up out of the center tube and into the home’s faucets.

Original Source: http://www.srjnews.com/water-softening-systems-that-dont-dry-the-skin/7405/
Original Date: June 1 2018

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The Importance of Retaining the Essential Minerals in Drinking Water

Bottled Water Filtered Water Pros Cons-min

We use water filters to purify water that is contaminated with deadly microorganisms, harmful impurities, dissolved metal salts, etc. Many water purifier brands in the market offer various advanced models in an extensive price range. Most innovative technologies are used in their products and guarantee to provide pure and clean drinking water.

The major problem that happens when we buy a water purifier is that most of them also remove the essential minerals from the water along with removing the contaminants. There are many important minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc. that are naturally present in water. These minerals are actually essential for health. They contribute to strong bones, teeth, healthy and soft skin, and shiny hair. So, when you buy a water purifier, it is important to ensure that you invest in one that retains the essential minerals as they play an important role in the growth and development of the mind and body.

Problems Caused by the Removal of Essential Minerals

The following two problems are commonly caused when the essential minerals like calcium and magnesium get eliminated during the filtration process.

Demineralization in Water

We are aware of the fact that high TDS (Total Dissolved Solvents) is not good for health and needs to be filtered out. But, only a few are aware of the WHO study reports, which indicate that low TDS can also impact your health adversely. The minerals that we receive from water cannot be substituted by food or supplements leading to various deficiency diseases in the long run.

The decrease in pH Level of Water

The human body consists of 70% of water, and this percentage has to be maintained for its optimal functioning. Further, the blood in our body should be a little alkaline. The essential minerals present in water helps in maintaining the proper pH level of the body. In the absence of these minerals, the body’s pH turns acidic causing acidosis, which is considered as the basic cause of degenerative diseases.

Thus, it is essential that the filtered water should retain the required amounts of essential minerals. Besides helping in preventing these health problems, it will also help in giving water a sweet taste, which otherwise becomes very flat when all the essential minerals are removed.

How Can We Maintain the Mineral Constituency?

The most important thing to consider is that we need to purify water as it is contaminated with toxic substances and micro-organisms, but at the same time we also need to retain the essential minerals in it. So, what do we do? We need to make a proper and informed choice when choosing a water purifier. Most of the RO purifiers available in the market filter out everything, including the essential minerals. But, there are many models from reputed brands that can control the TDS of filtered water. They are designed to retain the essential minerals while filtering out contaminants at the same time.

Now that you know the importance of retaining the essential minerals in drinking water. Buy a water purifier that preserves the mineral content while ensuring it is free of contaminants.

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Original Source: https://www.praguepost.com/lifestyle/retaining-essential-minerals-in-drinking-water

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Benefits of Saltless Water Softeners

The biggest benefit of saltless water softeners is that they do not use salt to soften the water. Many people find that salt from traditional water softening systems is extremely drying to the skin, even when present in small amounts. For these people, water softeners that use salt actually create more problems than they solve. Saltless water softeners are the perfect solution because they use resins that only have minute traces of salt on them.

The resin inside saltless water softeners also lasts much longer than the salt in traditional water softeners. Thus, owners do not need to refill the filter medium in saltless water softeners as often as they would in a traditional salt water softening systems.

Cost of Saltless Water Softeners

The total cost of a saltless water softener can vary widely. However, the cost of a basic saltless water softener, including installation, will run from $500 to $1500.

Home owners will still need to buy salt for a saltless water softener that is used for the brine solution. The brine solution is only used during recharging of the resin beads. Thus, saltless water softeners use much less salt than traditional water softening systems.

Both saltless water softeners and traditional salt water softening systems will solve the problems associated with hard water in a home. It’s best to compare water softening systems before deciding on one to purchase.

Orignal Source: http://www.srjnews.com/benefits-of-saltless-water-softeners/7408/

Original Date: May 31 2018

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Don’t Find Out The Hard Way What Contaminates Your Water

Have you ever worried about what is in your tap water? Following the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and test results showing lead in in the water in other communities across the country, it’s a warranted concern.

From the properties of the water itself to whether the pipes carrying the water are OK, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to the water we use for drinking, cooking and bathing. To explore these concerns, public health and safety organization NSF International conducted a survey of more than 1,000 Americans with the goal of understanding perceptions and behaviors when it comes to drinking water safety.

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Among many other findings, the survey revealed that most Americans drink tap water and are concerned about contaminants in their water. While the majority has a general understanding of how water purification systems work, most aren’t taking steps to better understand what’s in their drinking water, nor are they purifying it accordingly.

Of the 71 percent of Americans that drink tap water at least sometimes, more than half (55 percent) are concerned about what they’re drinking. Not surprisingly, parents are more likely to be concerned than people who do not have children, and more parents say they know what’s in their water than those surveyed who do not have children.

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Even with more than half of Americans saying they’re either concerned or simply do not know what is in their water, 42 percent aren’t taking steps to understand or purify the water in their home.

While 71 percent say they do understand that all filters are not created equal and that different filters reduce different contaminants, few Americans are taking action to improve their water. Of those that say they purify, the most common reason is simply that the filter came with their home or is built into their refrigerator.

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So, how can you be sure the water in your home is safe? While you might not be able to eliminate all contaminates, there are some steps you can take to make it safer.

First, get a certified water filtration system. Make sure the system you’ve chosen has been approved by a third-party certificate body, like NSF International, which tests water filters and other safety products.

You can also send in your water for testing at a certified laboratory. Just be sure to use a sample from the early morning, before anyone in your household showers or before you do things like laundry or the dishes.

If you’d like to learn more about water safety, NSF International offers numerous resources to help you learn how to better purify the water in your home.

Original Source: https://www.simplemost.com/majority-of-americans-concerned-about-tap-water-contaminants/

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Original Date: May 25 2018

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Is Your Local Tap Water Affecting Your Skin?

We all know that it takes a lot of trial and error to find a skincare regimen that works. Skincare isn’t a one-size-fits-all, and what works for someone else may not necessarily work for you. That being said, more and more people are dropping water from their daily skincare regimens. They are replacing it with creams, balms, and wipes.

The claim that tap water is bad for your skin is nothing new, but is there enough evidence to suggest that we should be avoiding it altogether? Here’s everything you need to know.

There Are Different Types of Water

The water that comes out of your tap varies depending on your location. Different types of water may all look the same, but they have diverse pH levels and varying mineral contents.  Water is broadly classified into hard water and soft water. These terms are related to the specific mineral ion content found in the liquid, which in turn is a factor of the rocks of different regions. For instance, soft water generally contains lower levels of magnesium and calcium compounds than hard water.

Both types of water have their pros and cons, and there are varying degrees of “hardness” or “softness.” Understand the kind of tap water you’re getting by looking into local water sources and doing some research. You can then take the necessary steps and precautions.

Ways to Protect Your Skin Against Tap Water

No matter what type of H2O flows out of your tap, there are a few steps you can take to counteract any damage it may be doing to your skin. If you have hard water, you could try using a water softener. This will help bring down the mineral content which is usually responsible for dry, tight-feeling skin.

An alternate option is a water filter which works by straining out impurities and heavy metals from your water. There are different types of filters available for taps and showers.

Another preventative measure you can take is to treat your skin post washing. Right after you shower or wash your face, apply a toner followed immediately by a moisturizer. Look for skincare products with protective ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and aloe vera. These will keep dryness and skin damage at bay and also get rid of any remaining impurities.

One more important factor to consider is your diet. Consuming antioxidant-rich foods can help defend your skin against any free radical damage caused by your tap water.

white towel on top below are two small vials filled with olive oil glass container with sliced cucumbers half sliced lemon two aloe vera leaves light brown background, natural ingredients for skin The Best Natural Ingredients You Can Add to Your Skin Care

By taking a few precautions, you can get the glowing skin you’ve always wanted!

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Written By: Aishwarya Anandanathan

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What Is a Water Softener? The Secret to Clean Hair and Dishes

“Water softening” might seem like a term out of a (rather dull) science-fiction movie; but, in fact, a water softener can make a big difference to homeowners. Essentially, a water softener strips hard water of certain minerals to make the water feel more luxurious and make your hair, body, and clothes cleaner.

Another huge benefit? “The ease of housekeeping and cleaning,” says Mike Donley, president of Phoenix-based Donley Plumbing and Air Conditioning.

“Once you get used to it, you really miss it when you’re traveling,” adds Donley, who has had water softeners in his last two homes.

Before we plunge into the details of water softeners, let’s cover hard water and why it’s not ideal to have in your home.

What is hard water?

Hard water refers to tap water that contains high amounts of dissolved magnesium and calcium. Your house likely has hard water if you notice the following:

  • Your dishes come out of the dishwasher coated in spots or film.
  • You see spots or soap scum buildup on your glass shower door.
  • You need to use more than the recommended amount of soap to wash your hair and body, or detergent to wash your clothing.

Although those effects are mostly cosmetic, hard water can cause serious damage to pipes. When hard water is heated, it can cause calcium carbonate to form around a faucet. Over time, this buildup can damage your pipes.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 85% of American homes have problems with hard water, with the hardest waters found in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Arizona, and Southern California.

What is a water softener?

A water softener is a device that is used to remove magnesium, calcium, and other ions that make water hard through a process called ion exchange.

How much does it cost?

Installation plus cost of the water softener typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000, according to Donley. For $3,000, he says, you should be able to get a high-quality water softener for a medium-size home.

What should you look for in a softener? One that’s sized properly. The size of the softener is determined by the size of the water line entering your home (measured in gallons per minute) and the number of bathrooms. If you have it handy, the home inspector’s report should list the number of gallons per minute.

How to prep for water softener installation

In order to install a water softener, your home will need to already have installed a soft water loop (a copper line that loops out from the wall) near the main waterline. The main waterline will typically be in the utility closet or by the water heater. If your home doesn’t have a softener loop, a plumber will have to install one, which will take more time.

Installation can take anywhere from a few hours to all day. Be sure to clear the space around your main line so the plumber can reach it. Water will be shut off.

After the water softener is installed, ask the contractor or plumber to check the water hardness to ensure it’s working.

Unless you have copper soldering skills, it’s better to hire a pro to do this job, Donley says. Likewise, it’s typically in your best interest to have a contractor or plumber pick the water softener. If there’s a problem with the water softener, the plumber or contractor may repair the softener instead of charging you a separate fee.

Maintenance

To keep your water softener in working condition, clean the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For most water softeners, you’ll want to periodically fill it with about 30 to 40 pounds of salt or potassium, which help flush out and clean the water softener’s filter.

Have a pro come out and service the water softener every three to four years, says Donley.

With proper care, a water softener should last about 10 years.

Original Source: https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/water-softener/

Original Date: May 10 2018

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Get Crystal-Clear Tap Water in Your Home Today

Reverse osmosis sounds like something we learned in science class, but what does a reverse osmosis water filter do? In a nutshell, it helps homeowners get better-tasting water by removing certain elements. After installing a reverse osmosis system, many folks appreciate the high-quality water that comes out of their taps; the water tends to taste and smell better, and the ice cubes are clear.

“It’s as if you’re drinking bottled water without the bottles,” says Mike Paice, a water specialist with the Sunny Plumber in Las Vegas.

Evian-quality water flowing freely from your kitchen faucet? It sounds like a real money saver, especially if you frequently buy bottled water. Read on to learn if installing an RO water filter in your home is a good decision for you.

What is a reverse osmosis water filter?

Water that runs through an RO system is filtered a number of times: through two different types of liquids and a permeable film that allows through only the water molecules. Therefore, the water that comes out of your faucet will be rid of impurities but still have important minerals.

RO systems are typically installed under the kitchen sink, and the filtered water comes out of a separate faucet. The filtration system can have anywhere from two to five filters, but the number of filters isn’t as important as the integrity of the filters, says Paice.

The two filters you’ll want to look for are carbon and sediment. These filters will remove contaminants such as Giardia, salmonella, E. coli, and Norovirus, and common chemicals, including sodium, chloride, copper, chromium, and lead, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Paice says to make sure the water filter you purchase is certified by the Water Quality Association.

RO water filters last about 10 years.

Reasons to not install a reverse osmosis filter

If your home’s water pressure is below 65 psi (pounds per square inch) or higher than 100 psi, you might have issues with an RO system.

When you put water in a filter system, it reduces the water pressure. If the water pressure is too low, your ice maker won’t get enough water and your showers will be miserable.

But if the pressure is too high, the pipes on the RO system can break and potentially flood your home. This is rare, but it can happen. If you’re seriously considering installing an RO filter, the smartest thing to do is consult a plumber to determine if it will work with your home’s water system.

If you want to test your home’s water pressure yourself, place a pressure gauge on your hose bibb, aka the faucet on your home’s exterior. If water pressure is an issue, you can still get a filter, but you’re more likely to have problems, says Mike Donley, president of Phoenix-based Donley Plumbing and Air Conditioning.

Demineralizing the water can remove beneficial elements such as calcium or fluoride from the water. But cooking with demineralized water is also shown to keep essential elements from food, so it might be wise to speak with your doctor before installing an RO filter.

Maintenance

One of the biggest advantages of an RO system is that you can install it and not bother with it for a while. They’re very low maintenance, and the filters need to be changed only once a year. You can do this yourself or hire a pro. If you go the DIY route, make sure you’re buying the appropriate filter for your system and that you shut the water off before you change the filters. The cost of a visit from a plumber is about $150, says Donley.

Every few years, you’ll have to repressurize the storage tank, which is a job for your plumber.

Installation and cost

The average cost of an RO system, including installation, is $500 to $700, according to Donley.

If you’re having a system installed, you’ll want to clear out the space underneath the sink for the plumber. Installation will take a few hours. Afterward, you’ll have to flush the system out a few times. You also won’t be able to drink from the faucet when the system is being flushed out and the storage tank fills with water. But within a half-day, you should have fresh drinking water.

Original Source: https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/reverse-osmosis-water-filter/

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Published Date: April 16 2018

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Is Alkaline Water Really Better for You?

Is Alkaline Water Really Better for You?

Q. Are there benefits of drinking alkaline water, or is what I’m reading just a bunch of hooey?

A. Despite the claims, there’s no evidence that water marketed as alkaline is better for your health than tap water.

“It’s all about marketing,” said Tanis Fenton, a registered dietitian and epidemiologist at Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. “There is no science to back it up.”

The pH scale indicates whether a liquid is more acidic (lower pH) or alkaline (higher pH). Pure water has a neutral pH of 7, while tap water has some natural variation depending on its mineral content. Most bottled waters are slightly acidic, and sodas and juices are even more so.

Bottled waters marketed as being alkaline typically claim to have a pH between 8 and 10. Some are from springs or artesian wells and are naturally alkaline because of dissolved minerals. Others are made with an ionizing process, and water ionizing machines are also marketed for home use.

Alkaline water companies make vague claims that it will “energize” and “detoxify” the body and lead to “superior hydration.” And some claim that ionized water can prevent everything from headaches to cancer.

But there’s no evidence that drinking water with a higher pH can change the pH of your body, or even that this outcome would provide benefits.

Blood is tightly regulated at around pH 7.4, while the stomach, which secretes hydrochloric acid to digest proteins and kill food-borne pathogens, is very acidic, with a pH of 1.5 to 3.5. If you drink water that is slightly alkaline, Dr. Fenton said, the hydrochloric acid in the stomach quickly neutralizes it before it’s absorbed into the blood.

Several small studies funded by companies that sell alkaline water suggest that it could improve hydration in athletes, but any potential benefits were modest, and an easier way to improve hydration is just to drink more water. And a 2016 review of research by Dr. Fenton and a colleague found no evidence that alkaline water or an alkaline diet could treat or prevent cancer.

A study published last year found that adopting a plant-based diet and drinking alkaline water worked as well as medications to alleviate their symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux, a severe form of acid reflux in which stomach acid travels all the way up to the throat. “I think that it can be a helpful tool for patients to help with their symptoms while they’re transitioning to a more plant-based diet,” said Dr. Craig Zalvan, the study’s lead author and a laryngologist at Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. But he believes that most of the improvement in his patients comes from dietary changes rather than alkaline water. Once symptoms improve, he says there’s no need to keep drinking alkaline water.

There are also hints of potential risks from alkaline water. Rat pups given alkaline water showed impaired growth and damage to cardiac muscle. And a 2015 report said that when a municipal water plant in a town in Germany accidentally increased the water’s pH to 12, skin burns ensued. While such a high pH is unlikely in bottled alkaline water, it’s a reminder that a higher pH isn’t necessarily better.

“The only health effects that we know of are danger signs, so for people to continue to market alkaline water — they’re really as bad as the snake oil salesmen of yesteryear,” Dr. Fenton said.

Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/well/eat/alkaline-water-health-benefits.html

Original Date: April 27 2018

Original Author: Alice Callahan

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What Is Hard Water? How It Can Wreak Havoc on Your Home

What is hard water? It’s water that contains high levels of certain minerals—namely calcium and magnesium (soft water, by comparison, lacks these elements).

Homeowners who learn that their water is “hard” might wonder if it is OK. While hard water poses no serious health risks, it can nonetheless cause various problems within a home.

Here’s where hard water comes from, how to check for it, and what you can do to remediate the negative effects.

Where does hard water come from?

If a home’s water comes from a well, there’s a stronger likelihood it’s hard because groundwater is often naturally full of minerals, says Stephen Johnson, an Ashburn, VA–based field supervisor at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

In particular, hard water forms when it drains through deposits of limestone, which are rich in calcium and magnesium. However, hard water can also be found in city water systems.

Hard water is a common issue: An overwhelming 85% of U.S. homes have water of some level of hardness, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Research from the Environmental Protection Agency shows these six cities have the dubious honor of having the hardest water in the country:

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • MinneapolisSt. Paul, MN
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Tampa, FL

What are the negative effects of hard water?

Hard water can have a negative effect on the maintenance of your home, warns Fred Webster, president at MillTown Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Drain Cleaning, in Chelmsford, MA. The effects can include the following:

  • Clogged or corroded pipes: Hard water can create major plumbing issues. Scale deposits from hard water can build up inside pipeslike plaque inside an artery, constricting the flow of watereventually causing backups that need to be addressed by a plumber.
  • Poor water heater efficiency: A study by the Battelle Memorial Institute, a global science and technology research firm, found that water heaters with hard water can be up to 25% less efficient than water heaters with soft watera loss of energy that can, in turn, drive up your homes utility bills.
  • Appliances that can malfunction: When left untreated, hard water can cause appliances such as refrigerators, ice makers, washing machines, and dishwashers to leak, malfunction, or use more energy, Johnson says.
  • Water stains: When hard water evaporates from the surface of your tub, sink, or toilet, it can leave the minerals behind in the form of water stains. The good news? Most hard water stains can be treated by cleaning the affected area with rags soaked in white vinegar.
  • Odor and bad taste: Hard water tends to have a rotten egg smell and a metallic taste, Webster says. In most cases, though, hard water is still safe to drink regardless of its funk or taste.
  • Skin irritation: Showering in hard water can cause dry skin, since the mineral deposits suck the moisture out of your skin, Webster says. Minerals drying on the skin can also clog pores and cause flaking and itching.

How to test for hard water

You can buy a water test kit online or from a home improvement store for about $30 to test your water yourself, but many plumbers offer customers free water testing, Webster says.

“Plumbers either send someone to your home to take a water sample, or the homeowner sends in a water sample, which is then sent to a lab for testing,” says Webster. “The lab results will show us exactly what’s in the water.”

Have hard water? Here’s what to do

If you discover your home has hard water, don’t panic. “Usually, a water softener will take care of the situation,” Webster says.

Water softeners, which hook up to your plumbing lines, can reduce the water’s hardness by removing minerals from your water supply.

Here’s how it works: As the hard water passes through the softening tank, negatively charged magnetic beads attract the positively charged calcium and magnesium particles, but allow the water to pass through.

If you’re fairly handy with tools, you can install a water softener system yourself by buying a basic installation kit and unit for about $500. Otherwise, professional installation costs about $800 to $1,000 for a one- to two-bedroom home. Water softener systems generally last about 15 years.

If you’re buying a house with extremely hard water, you may have to install a water filtration system to address the issue, Johnson says.

Filtration systems tend to be more expensive than water softener systems. According to HomeAdvisor, the national average is $1,683. If you can’t spring for a water filtration system for your entire house, smaller systems that hook up to just one tap (say, the one you drink out of) are also available.

Original Source: https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/what-is-hard-water/

Original Date: Apr 18, 2018

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