Hard water is primarily formed when dissolved minerals in the water precipitate and accumulate on surfaces. Hard water involves several factors, including the mineral content of the water, temperature and pH. Depending on your water source, you may be more or less likely to have a hard water problem.
If you notice signs of hard water in your home, such as scale buildup on pipes and difficult to clean bathtubs.........you want the water that's coming out of your tap to be clean, high-quality water. Hard water can negatively affect your plumbing, fixtures and appliances. Hard water leaves a signature trail in the form of mineral buildup. This buildup can clog pipes, stain sinks, and make hand washing difficult.
According to the Water Department, mineral buildup can shorten the lifespan of water-based appliances like water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers.
To solve this confusion, it is important to identify water scale treatment equipment, and measuring water hardness can help you determine which descaler will meet your needs.
1.Check With Your Water Supplier
This isn't an option for households that use well water, but if you have city water and you suspect you may have problems with hardness, you might want to contact your supplier as a first step. Your local water supplier's website and annual report are good places to begin acquiring information about general water hardness levels in your area. However, the information included in annual reports varies by location, so your supplier may not provide data on this topic. Even if relevant information is available, it will apply broadly to hardness levels in your area. The results won't tell you how hard the water is in your household.
2.Use Test Strips:
Obtain water hardness test strips from a local store or online retailer. Ensure that the test strips are specifically designed to measure water hardness.Take a sample of the water you want to test. This can be done by collecting water in a clean container.Dip the test strip into the water sample for the specified duration mentioned in the test strip instructions (usually a few seconds).Compare the color change on the test strip with the color chart provided with the test kit. The chart will indicate the corresponding hardness level in terms of grains per gallon (GPG) or parts per million (PPM).
3.Liquid Test Kit:
Purchase a water hardness test kit that includes a liquid reagent to measure hardness.
Fill the water sample to be tested into a clean container and follow the instructions included with the test kit to determine the required volumes of water sample and reagent. The reagent and water sample are thoroughly mixed. Watch for any color changes or the formation of sediment in the water sample. Compare to provided color chart or measurement scale to determine hardness level in GPG or PPM.
Water Hardness Measurement Scales
·According to the Water Quality Association's classification, the hardness scale is typically represented as follows, measured in grains per gallon (gpg) of calcium carbonate (CaCO3):
Soft water: Less than 1.0 gpg
Slightly hard water: 1.0 - 3.5 gpg
Moderately hard water: 3.5 - 7.0 gpg
Hard water: 7.0 - 10.5 gpg
Very hard water: Greater than 10.5 gpg
·Here is a water hardness scale used by Health Canada, which breaks down results in milligrams per liter (mg/L) and parts per million (ppm) of calcium carbonate (CaCO3):
Soft water: Less than 17.1 mg/L or ppm
Slightly hard water: 17.1 - 60 mg/L or ppm
Moderately hard water: 60 - 120 mg/L or ppm
Hard water: 120 - 180 mg/L or ppm
Very hard water: Greater than 180 mg/L or ppm
Scale removal with ScaleDp's Water Descaler
Protect your home's pipes, plumbing, and appliances from scale buildup without the use of harsh chemicals or salt.
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