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The majority of water supplies in the West of Ireland are hard waters, containing lime.  As water percolates through the limestone rock calcium carbonate dissolves out of the rock into the water.  This is carried through your water system where it precipitates out cuasing the limescale in kettles and other electrical appliances that we are familiar with as well as other less obvious problems.


 

The following are some of the tell-tale signs of hard water:
  • Soap scum on bathtubs, shower tiles, and basins, resulting in additional scrubbing and scouring of fixtures.Boiler with Limescale
  • Film left on the body that can leave your skin dry and your hair limp and dull.
  • Reduced sudsing and cleaning capabilities of soaps and detergents.
  • Clothes appear dingy and yellowed, and soapy residue reduces the life of fabric.
  • requiring use of more detergent to clean and extra rinse cycles to remove soap curd.
  • Clogged pipes or appliances, reducing water flow and increasing amounts of repair problems due to excessive wear on moving parts.

    • Increased water heating costs as a result of scale build-up and mineral deposits.
The following are some Benefits of Softened Water
  • Heating efficiencies on hot water tanks using softened water can increase up to 29 percent.
  • Extends the life of plumbing systems and water-using appliances through the reduction of clogging from scale within     the pipes.
  • Many appliances may last longer and perform better.
  • Soapy residue on clothes is reduced so they may look and wear better.
  • Skin and hair can be rinsed more completely, making hair look shinier and skin cleaner.
  • Film on tubs and shower tiles may be reduced, as will scratching to bathroom fixtures and sinks.

 Water Softening

There are many different types of softeners, each with its own benefits. The method used most often in homes is cation exchange, the principles of which are simple. An ion is an electrically charged atom or group of atoms. A cation is a positively charged ion. The water is softened when the hardness ions (magnesium and calcium) are exchanged for sodium ions. This exchange occurs in a resin bed during the softening cycle.   During the regeneration process, the hardness ions collected in the ion exchange resin must be flushed out in order to allow the continuous exchange between soft and hard ions. The entire softening process is controlled automatically by the clock timer.
 

The Sodium Issue
For some consumers, the fact that sodium is used to soften water raises a concern about their drinking water and a potential health risk. However, what many people may not know is that when doctors and researchers discuss salt and its effects on a person's health, they usually refer to sodium chloride, and not sodium bicarbonate which is the result of softening.
Further, according to Dr. Andrew Zeifer, Director of the Hypertension Clinic at the University of Michigan, "Drinking water represents a very small part of sodium intake in most persons. Even water softening systems using salt don't introduce enough salt to be of concern." Similar views were expressed in the New England Journal of Medicine, and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Under EU regulations it is recommended that a hard water tap be provided when installing a softener leaving consumers able to drink and cook with unsoftened cold water.

If you are interested in improving the quality of your water contact us.  We will call and test your water FREE OF CHARGE and you are under NO OBLIGATION to buy.  All units and installation work are guaranteed for 7 years.