What is hard water?
Hard water is the most common problem found in the average home. Hard water is water that contains dissolved hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) in amounts greater than 1 grain per gallon (a typical aspirin contains about 5 grains of material for comparison, and if dissolved in a gallon of water, would add 5 grains of aspirin to it). The dissolved minerals present in hard water can accumulate in the form of a hard scale which can build up and eventually clog pipes and damage water-using appliances. These minerals also affect the ability of soap to clean kitchen and bath surfaces, dishware and laundry, and even human hair and skin.
Water is considered hard if it contains calcium and magnesium. Both are common elements found in water. According to the Water Quality Association, hard water is water that has hardness minerals in excess of 1 grain per gallon (gpg). Most water supplies range from 3 to 50 gpg. Following are relative levels of hardness: Soft Water—less than 1 gpg Slightly Hard—1 to 3.5 gpg Moderately Hard—3.5 to 7 gpg Hard—7 to 10.5 gpg Very Hard—10.5 and higher If left untreated hard water will form scaling in water heaters, pipes, boilers, air conditioners, etc. This causes inefficiency, and can lead to permanent damage of the items it comes in contact with. Water that is considered hard does not clean as efficiently as soft water. For example, at 10 gpg of hardness it may take up to 15 additional pounds of detergent per 1,000 gallons of water to clean effectively. As a result of its properties, hard water forms soap curd. This curd sticks to clothing, dishes, glassware, and to ones skin, le
When water is referred to as ‘hard’ this simply means, that it contains more minerals than ordinary water. These are especially the minerals calcium and magnesium. The degree of hardness of the water exceeds, when more calcium and magnesium dissolve. Magnesium and calcium are positively charged ions. Because of their presence, other positively charged substances will dissolve less easy in hard water than in water that does not contain calcium and magnesium. This is the cause of the fact that soap doesn’t really dissolve in hard water.
When water is said to be “hard,” it simply means that it contains dissolved calcium and magnesium. The degree of hardness of the water increases when more calcium and magnesium dissolve. Because of these solids, other elements will dissolve less easily in hard water than in water that does not contain calcium and magnesium. Example: Soap does not easily dissolve in hard water.
