What is hard water?
Hard water is the most common problem found in the average home. Hard water is typically defined as water having more than 1 GPG (grains per gallon) of dissolved minerals in it, generally consisting of calcium, magnesium carbonate, and/or manganese. The amount of hardness in water is usually measured in either PPM (parts per million) or GPG (grains per gallon). 17.1 PPM or 17.1 Mg/L = 1 GPG —OR— PPM or Mg/L divided by 17.1 = GPG A couple of ways for you to find out how hard your water is, would be to have it tested locally at your local public health department, or you can send a small sample to us, (at least 2oz), and we will gladly test it for you free, even if you decide to purchase your softener elsewhere! We will test your sample for hardness, Iron, pH and nitrates and email or phone the results back to you.
Water is considered “hard” when it contains significant levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. Water was orginally termed “hard” in reference to the difficulty in cleaning the scale and soap scum resulting from these mineral ions in the water. These minerals are not normally harmful—they’re actually essential for our healthd—but they can wreak havoc on your skin, hair, clothing, and linens and clog and corrode your home pipes, fixtures, and appliances, costing you thousands of dollars in avoidable cleaning, maintenance, repair, and replacement expenses.
