Home | Water Specialties Group | Bensenville, IL

What to do When Your Household Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs

2019-10-30T00:00:00.05Z

The most likely suspect is sulfur, which occurs naturally and is picked up by underground water, often introducing itself to a home whose primary source is a private well.

Sulfur’s unpleasant odor usually indicates a lack of oxygen in the well, which produces hydrogen sulfide gas. It can also show up due to chemical reactions involving sulfur contained in groundwater. It can become unbearable during your shower, or while you’re doing your laundry.

Okay...how do I get rid of Sulfur?

The most effective way to banish the odor is by installing an air filter tank system equipped with catalytic carbon—because sulfur gas is caused by the lack of oxygen in your well. As water passes through the air chamber at the top of the tank, it changes the sulfur gas to a solid, which can be easily filtered by the carbon. It’s an environmentally compatible way to solve the issue.

While malodorous water is certainly unpleasant, it is important to remember that it’s not necessarily a health hazard. If the sulfur smell only manifests while running hot water from any of your household faucets, it may be caused—not by your water supply—but by a chemical reaction inside your water heater. In order to be sure of what’s causing the problem, and to remove the nasty smell, give us a shout for a FREE analysis of your water.

A water filtration system can save you time and money, and make sulfur odors a thing of an unpleasant past. Contact us today. We’ll help treat your water and remove contaminants for good.

What's the Story on Arsenic...and Bottled Water?

2019-08-26T00:00:00.05Z

Many folks assume, often incorrectly, that bottled water is naturally more
pure than that from conventional tap sources; this is not always the case.
Research experts from independent studies and noted scientists report that
some bottled water teems with potentially unsafe arsenic levels.

James Dickerson, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at Consumer
Reports, has noted: “It makes no sense that consumers can purchase bottled
water that is less safe than tap water.” And this issue gained greater
weight between late 2016 and early 2017 when Whole Foods’ water brand,
Starkey Water, recalled 2,000 cases of bottled water. Tests revealed an
unacceptable level of arsenic, which exceeded the federally mandated limit
of 10 parts per billion (ppb). The same company’s internal testing has since
shown that their results were just under the federal limit, but still close
enough to create health concerns if regularly consumed.

Why the Concern for Arsenic...and Its Effect on the Body?

It’s a naturally-occurring element found in rocks and soil which is also
used in the agriculture industry as a pesticide. Arsenic can end up in the
water supply when certain types of rocks and minerals erode over time or
from agricultural runoff. The element is tasteless and odorless, but it can
be highly toxic at certain levels, which is why the Environmental Protection
Agency set the standard for drinking water at 10 ppb or less. It’s not often
we have to measure anything by parts per billion, but to put it in
perspective, think of an average 16’x50’ swimming pool that holds 10,000
gallons of water: If one were to take an eye dropper and squeeze in 10 drops
of orange juice, that swimming pool now has 10 ppb of orange juice in it.

Scale that ratio down to the amount of water inside the bottle you just
picked up from the grocery store, and the amount of acceptable arsenic
inside is minuscule!

The EPA advises that non-cancer side effects of drinking water with
elevated levels of arsenic include diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, and
vomiting. Additional dire adverse maladies include blindness, partial
paralysis, skin discoloration, and numbness in the hands and feet.
Long-term, chronic exposure HAS been linked to cancers, adds the EPA. The
possible health risks of arsenic are precisely the reason drinking water,
such as bottled or municipal water, is required to be tested. It’s also the
reason why independent researchers are trying to get the federal limit for
arsenic in water to be lowered from 10 ppb to 3 ppb.

Bottled Water—What’s the Difference?

Grocery stores and other outlets offer an overwhelming variety of bottled
water options. Spring water, purified water, distilled water … what’s the
difference and how is it treated? Bottled water’s defining varieties are the
water sources and the type of filtration:

Spring water comes from a natural underground aquifer and endures a
filtration process to remove particles and unwanted contaminants; this is
likely a type of carbon filtration to improve taste and odor, as spring
water often contains natural minerals and contaminants.

Distilled or purified water usually comes from municipal tap water or
spring water, which goes through an additional purification process such as
deionization, distillation, or possibly reverse osmosis that can reduce
arsenic content.

The problem? Consumers don’t always know how the water is treated because
of bottled water brands’ unclear labeling. While it may seem as though
everything sounds like it’s been purified properly, contaminants such as
arsenic may still exist. Consumer Reports’ table below shows five brands
that reported arsenic levels of at least 3 ppb, which is what Consumer
Reports and others are recommending for the new federal limit.

But There Must Be Alternatives to Bottled Water...?

Consumers are hard-pressed to know what’s pure and what is not. The good
news is that there are alternatives that are not only safer to consume but
come directly from the faucet in your home, where you can have a Reverse
Osmosis (R.O.) System Installed.

An R.O. system is the optimum way to get great-tasting, pure drinking water
for your home while drastically reducing the possibility of unwanted
contaminants.

R.O. systems have a special membrane that filters out many microscopic
organisms and heavy metals such as:

*           arsenic
*           barium
*           chromium
*           copper
*           cyst (cryptosporidium)
*           fluoride
*           lead
*           nitrates and nitrites (hexavalent & trivalent)
*           radium
*           selenium
*           total dissolved solids (TDS)

Make Bottled Water A Thing of Your Household’s Past.

By switching to a safe alternative to bottled water, you reduce a lot of
waste that often ends up unrecycled and in landfills. Water bottles can be
expensive, and, over time, switching will likely pay for itself as you only
pay pennies per gallon when you filter the water yourself versus shelling
out for individual bottles.

As an Water-Right (Evolve) dealer, we are equipped to help you with your
problem water needs.

*Evolve® Products: https://www.problemwaterfixed.com/

Click the link above to visit our website of our trusted brands. For those
who have serious concerns about water quality or potential contamination,
you can use http://www.cleanwatertesting.com/ or contact us to have your                                                                                                                     water tested.

Thanks for checking in, and for taking the time to read. We’re happy to no
longer keep our information on this timely topic “bottled up” ...and we’re
ready to help you clear up any additional issues you might have on the topic
of bottled water!

DO TANNINS LURK IN YOUR WELL WATER?

2019-07-22T00:00:00.05Z

DO TANNINS LURK IN

YOUR WELL WATER?

Homeowners who live in the country often encounter special issues with their well water. City dwellers rely on municipalities to regulate their household water, but if you’re a rural resident who relies on a well, you are often on your own. You may encounter anything from high amounts of hardness and iron content to strong sulfur odors and discoloration of your water. And since you’re a responsible well owner, you have had your well water tested for contaminants once a year and are always on the lookout for reports of groundwater contamination, especially if you live near large farms or an industrial operation.

If you have a shallow well or live in a low-lying or coastal area, you may have encountered a less common problem that affects well water users called tannins. And while this issue does not necessarily carry potential health or safety concerns, it can have an unpleasant influence on the way your household uses water.

UNDERSTANDING

TANNINS

Have you encountered, near your property, a lake or river containing light brown or amber colored water? In rivers that move rapidly, this water can even take on the look of root beer as it cascades over rocks and down small waterfalls. While this color is often mistaken for dirt or pollutants in the water, it’s actually caused by tannins—fermented organic materials that are created by the breakdown of vegetation. When water passes over and through this material it takes on a yellow to amber color. In the case of a root beer colored river, water passes through nearby swamps, marshes, or other areas that contain a lot of decaying vegetation, and collects these small plant particles which gives the river its color.

Your well water can be affected in the same manner by tannins. As surface water makes its way downwards towards the aquifer that feeds your well, it can pass through decaying, fermenting vegetation or peaty soil. And, just like the root beer river, water concentrated by decaying material can assume these unpleasant colors.

WHAT DO TANNINS

DO IN YOUR HOME?

They don’t necessarily pose direct safety or health problems to your household water, but they’re not without risks. In addition to the unattractive color, affected water can carry a plant-like, musty odor, and it will have an unpleasantly tangy aftertaste. The tea-like color also works similarly to a dye and has the potential to permanently stain laundry and even porcelain fixtures and dinnerware in your home.

HOW TO TEST

FOR TANNINS:

It’s a tricky process, because high iron content can also cause discolored water. A simple way to gauge if your water contains tannins is to fill up a clear glass and let it sit overnight. In the morning, if the discoloration is more noticeable at the bottom of the glass, the disparity is likely caused by iron, as the heavier iron particles will naturally settle. If the entirety of the water remains the same color, tannins are likely the culprit.

When you have your water tested regularly by a certified laboratory, you’ll garner more accurate results. In addition to testing for tannins, a lab will be able to look for any other component in your well water that may be affecting the color or taste, such as iron and hardness.

TREATING THOSE

PESKY TANNINS

Should your well water be discovered to contain tannins, and if you’d like to have them removed, you have options, even though tannins can be tricky to treat. For example, even if two wells are within a few miles of one another, the treatment method may be slightly different due to the fact that different tannins derived from different plants are present in the water.

Effective tannin filtration is unique, because it operates more like a water softener than a true water filter. Like a softener, a tannin filter uses an ion exchange resin media to capture tannins and other organic compounds. When the fine, white resin beads that comprise the media have reached capacity, the unit is regenerated and washed with a brine solution and the filtration process is ready to repeat its process.

Should your household water resemble a glass of iced tea but smells and tastes bitter and earthy, it’s probably time to have your well water tested and treated for tannins. Evolve’s EVT water filter will confront your well’s tannin problem and reduce problem minerals, odors, tastes, and other discoloration issues commonly found in homes with a well water supply. Contact us today to schedule a water test and begin the process of fixing your well water...for good!

WELL, WELL. SO YOU'RE THINKING OF MOVING INTO A HOUSE WITH A WELL. HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

2019-06-18T00:00:00.05Z

There is so much appeal to owning a home in the country, removed from the hustle and hassle of urban living. But if a rural location is on your bucket list—whether you’re buying or thinking of buying—there are a few things you should know. A major difference between life in the city and the country is that the household water in your rural home is likely to source from a private well rather than a municipal facility. Well water differs significantly from city water in smell, look, and taste, and it may also mean unpleasant effects on laundry, housecleaning and bathing.

Well water in the United States is generally safe for use and consumption; indeed, 15 million homes utilize well water. But, as a resident, you should be aware that are steps you can take to minimize safety and health risks on the way to providing quality household water for you and your family.

Owning a home with a well means that the safety and the water that comes therefrom is your responsibility. That water almost always needs some filtration and softening to make it desirable for cleaning, cooking, and drinking. Here’s information you need to know:

ONE) Water in Your Well Comes Directly from the Ground.

It’s untreated. Drillers probe all the way to the aquifer, an underground reservoir in permeable rock, and the resultant product feeds to a pump system that you’ve had installed to bring the water into your home. Finding drinkable water isn’t difficult, but what starts as rainwater moves through soil, where it can encounter a multitude of contaminants on the way. Your well water contains much more than just the basic H2O.

TWO) [From the EPA: How A Private Residence Accesses An Aquifer]:

Well Water USUALLY Starts out Hard.

Water is a most efficient solvent, and groundwater dissolves organic matter, including minerals in the soil and rock holdings beneath the surface of the Earth, minerals like calcium and magnesium. This combination in a private well will probably need a water softener system—which should be installed if your home lacks access to a city water supply. Purchasing an existing home? You may be in luck, as it may already gave a water softener, but that system may require updating to ensure efficient operation.

A FREE quality analysis can identify any problems that might need to be fixed.

You can discover more about how water softeners work by consulting our blog.

THREE) Well Water Can Cause Staining. And It Can Smell Bad.

One of the first things you’re likely to discover in your new/old rural home are the stains disfiguring fixtures and in toilets, tubs, and sinks. Lime scale from water hardness is likely the culprit, though the most vexing stains often owe to a content of high iron. While iron is mostly a nuisance, its presence is not a safety issue, though its orange stains are unattractive, and difficult to remove. The only way to get rid of them permanently is by installing filtration systems that focus specifically on iron.

The Evolve Series Air Filter Systems supplied by Water-Right oxidize dissipated iron in order that it might be removed from your water. An additional benefit: this equipment also rids water of sulfur, a regular culprit of well water, infamous for causing your water to reek with a rotten-egg aroma.

Often, special water treatment media like Crystal-Right can reduce sulfur odor and remove iron, softening water simultaneously, and reducing the amount of treatment systems your home requires. A local water treatment expert can evaluate your specific needs and advise you on a system that’s right for you. And he or she can help you discover other reasons why your water might smell.

FOUR) Well Water Can Become Contaminated.

Many well water problems owe merely to aesthetics, but they may portend more serious problems. Groundwater in private wells is generally less likely to contain contaminants, but that doesn’t mean your well water is home free.

Natural contaminants like arsenic, radon, and uranium can dissolve in groundwater as it navigates rock and soil. Nationally, levels vary according to region, but your local water treatment expert can assist you in seeing the risks endemic to your part of the country.

Feel free to check out our Regional Water Roadmap and articles in the Regional Water Problems series to research typical concerns:

• Water quality problems in the Northeast

• Water quality problems in the Great Lakes states

• Water quality problems in the Midwest/Plains

• Water quality problems in the Southeast

• Water quality problems in Mountain states

• Water quality problems on the West Coast

One of the most prevalent and problematic health and safety issues owes to contamination from agricultural runoff, and septic tanks too close to a private well are also a concern. Additionally, nitrates at elevated levels can mean health risks to young children, and women who are pregnant.

The EPA warns further about the likely impact of well water contaminants.

The optimal way to get peace of mind about potential well water contaminants is to have a reverse osmosis (R.O.) drinking water system installed in your home. This special form of water filtration greatly reduces trace elements, heavy metals, and bacteria, and it produces great-tasting water right from the kitchen sink for drinking and cooking! Discover more about the benefits of reverse osmosis water and how an R.O. system works.

FIVE) Well Water Must Be Tested At Least Once A Year.

Well water’s quality changes constantly. The best way to protect your family is to have your well tested. While not required by the government, it’s a vital step to keep your family safe. The EPA recommends testing your well once a year at the absolute minimum for E. coli and coliform bacteria. You should also test your water for radon and arsenic, and minerals like iron, manganese, nitrate levels, and any volatile organic compounds to ensure your home’s water is safe.

Should you notice a change in water quality, (appearance, odor, taste, etc.) it’s a good idea to have your well tested, even if it hasn’t been a year since the last test.

At-home, out-of-the-box tests are available for you to purchase and perform yourself. When using this approach, it is important to read what exactly the kit is testing for, as not all tests are created equal.

All Water-Right, Evolve, and WaterCare professionals have access to our state-certified Clean Water Testing laboratory. They can collect samples from your well, send them to our lab, and provide you with reports on water quality. When Clean Water Testing Professionals examine your water, you gain the peace of mind knowing your water is professionally tested by a state-certified lab. You’ll also enjoy the added convenience and confidence that comes from reviewing results with a professional water treatment expert.

BUYING A HOME WITH A PRIVATE WELL

When you know area water concerns, you can take proactive measure towards protecting your well. Finding out if there are known water issues in the area and if there are any contamination concerns due to runoff from agriculture or nearby industrial activity can help you, also.

Before you move into a house with a well, study up on the well’s history, condition, and capacity by asking the current owner for a maintenance log. This will help you identify what has been done to the well in the past, how much it holds, and its flow rate; see if it will meet your household’s needs. It’s also a good idea to ask what the home’s seller is currently doing to treat the water.

Study specific signs of problems with private wells and continue to educate yourself.

Groundwater quality changes frequently and differs greatly. Your home may have noticeably different water problems than those of your neighbor, and that’s why the advice of a trusted, local water treatment expert can be so valuable.

Having a private well shouldn’t discourage you from moving into that dream house in the country. All you need is the right partner to help assure that your home’s water quality is right for your family’s needs.

Every Water-Right dealer is equipped to help you with your problem water needs. No matter the issue, Water-Right’s network of experts can come to your home and provide a water quality analysis, helping you identify solutions to your problems that leave you with the right water for life.

What's the origin-and the QUALITY-of my household water?

2019-05-17T00:00:00.05Z

It’s easy to take for granted the water that flows from the taps in our household. A quick flick of the wrist delivers safely—or so we assume—all the H2O we need for drinking, cooking, cleaning, showering, and our other daily activities. Of course we’re fortunate in this regard, but often times we cannot help but wonder: just how safe is it, really? Much of the quality in your water depends upon its source.

Do you live in the city?

Hardly anyone can dispute the convenience of urban living—offering its ready access to the stores, restaurants, and neighbors that make up your community. So many commodities can be easily delivered direct to your door: pizza and other foods, packages, and—let’s not forget your water, which is gathered from a nearby source and processed to make sure it meets the strict health and safety standards established by the EPA. Once that water reaches your home, your utility company’s meter monitors your usage and bills you accordingly.

Your city is responsible for keeping your household water free from contaminants, and it is also required to annually submit a water quality report that details exactly what is in the water provided. This report should contain mention of minerals that are monitored, but not removed—like calcium and magnesium, elements that, though contributors to hard water, pose no specific health risks. However, they can create issues for your household appliances that use water, and they can compromise your laundry, and even dry out your skin and hair.

Additionally, in order to keep your water free from bacteria, your municipality will introduce chlorine to the water supply, a disinfectant that’s no longer needed once the water reaches your home, where it could become a nuisance.

Many consumers do not appreciate the smell of chlorine in the shower or elsewhere in tap water, which is where our line of Evolve stand ready to improve on that supplied by your city: They kick the quality components of that water up a notch. Our EVRC softener system has a split-tank construction—with carbon filtration capabilities in the top chamber and high-performance resin resolution components in the bottom chamber. The carbon addresses the chlorine, while the bottom removes the resin, to deliver water that’s not only softer but free of chemicals throughout your home.

A further downside issue of city water is the risk of lead contamination, which has been reported in recent years by many municipalities. While your utility does its best to remove lead at the source, your water can be adversely affected is it travels through aging infrastructures that include rusty pipes. Over time, water that passes through such systems can slowly erode metal which can show up in your tap, with dire consequences. But, as a homeowner, you have options:

You can pick up quality drinking water while you’re buying groceries, or you can introduce an in-home water treatment system that will filter out the harmful lead. Our Reverse Osmosis drinking water systems sit under your sink and deliver lead-free purity directly fro your tap. Better still: our certified Contaminant Reduction System option can ensure lead reduction, as well as, PFOA, PFOS, and cysts throughout your household.

Do You Live in the Country?

There’s nothing quite like life in the wide open spaces, where privacy and quiet are beyond compare. But what about your water supply? Most likely, that comes from a private well instead of through a municipality, and that difference can be felt in many ways: good, and not-so-good.

True, you don’t have dread a monthly water bill, without an entity to monitor and treat your supply, your water becomes totally YOUR responsibility. Groundwater can carry a multitude of issues.

Among the microorganisms and bacteria that plague groundwater is E.coli, which, though not particularly harmful if congested, can cause major digestive problems. Additional contaminants can rise from leaking septic tanks, industrial operations that spill dense metals into the groundwater, landfalls, and chemical spills. Fertilizer contributes to agricultural runoff, and that can mean high nitrate concentrations, which, according to the EPA, are unsafe for very young children.

Faulty groundwater can also carry iron rust stains, acidic water that can corrode your plumbing, and even sulfur gas which can cause rotten egg odors. In addition, resultant hard water can contribute to scale buildup throughout your plumbing, including into your appliances and fixtures. This phenomenon would be bad enough aesthetically, but when your water carries high levels of hardness and iron, it can, over time affect the quality and durability of your plumbing and your appliances.

When you rely on a private well, you must keep a vigilant, hands-on approach to the upkeep of your household water. It’s wise to have your water tested at least twice annually to assure that your source water is pure and safe. Once you’re aware of what’s in your water, our treatment experts can analyze and advise you on to maintain the high-quality water you want for YOUR home!

COMING SQUEAKY CLEAN ABOUT HARD WATER

2019-04-22T00:00:00.05Z

The earliest reference to the term “squeaky clean” that we could find came in a 1936 ad for shampoo. They touted the benefits of having hair so clean it squeaked! This was not the first time a harsh detergent had managed to strip a person’s skin and hair of all of their natural oils, but it was the first reference we could find celebrating the idea!

Through the power of early viral marketing, consumers soon attributed the ubiquitous squeak with true cleanliness. We understand why the target audience embraced the idea, as there had been no previous standard for cleanliness set. Once the campaign took off, the same company that sold you the soaps and detergents could sell you new products to counter the negative effects of this level of… clean.

Lotions and moisturizers started to treat the tight, itchy, dry feeling on your skin, while oils and conditioners could help treat the impact on your hair. New skin ailments began to arise, with stronger and even medicated treatments to counter these issues.

The problem with adding all of these products to your routine? Not only is it costly and time consuming, it’s not actually addressing the problem.

The Hard Truth

Not only have these detergents been robbing your skin and hair of their natural moisture, they were ganging up on your body with an unlikely anti-hero: Your water.

Detergents bind to hard water, trapping them against your skin. The white, sticky, hard to clean residue you see all over your shower wall and fixtures? That’s the real culprit in the case of itchy hair and skin!

So the squeaky clean you’ve been programmed to desire is a complete fallacy. Literally the opposite of what you’ve been sold. You’re not squeaky because you’re clean, you’re squeaky because you’re covered in sticky, itchy soap scum.

Not only are these mineral deposits and residues clinging to you like bad perfume, they’re making your hair dry and brittle. You’ve tried using different formulas, different products… and many expensive brands offer ingredients to specifically counter the effects of this “soap curd”. You might notice a temporary change, but soon, the soap scum starts to build up again and you’re back at square one.

The only way to truly counter the effects of hard water is to deal directly with the minerals making your water hard!

Squeaky or Silky?

We’re going to put it to you straight. Your first couple of showers using soft water are going to feel… foreign. It will take some getting used to. Many customers report their skin feels different, using words like slippery or silky to describe their skin post shower. It’s a far cry from squeaky, and there is definitely an adjustment period.

Additionally, many people find their hair seems heavy, or unclean after their first shower. That’s going to have a lot to do with how much soap you’ve had to use in your past. Soft water requires far less soap to achieve your desired results when it comes to hair. Soft water allows suds to form freely, and you’ll achieve a rich, luxurious lather with far less soap than before.

DermaScope experts weigh in on the topic:

“The skin needs its own natural lipids to maintain the integrity of its natural moisturizing factor, which keeps sebum production regular and plays an important role in its cell turnover rate. The skin’s natural lipids also help to nourish and support the skin’s microbiome and keep follicles lubricated and soft, which prevents debris and excessive dead cells from accumulating.

There is a common misconception that oily skin causes acne and clogged pores or that oily skin needs to be cleansed more rigorously or more often in order to be clean.”

It’s time to put a clean face on soft water!

Softer, Sudsier

If you thought soap stuck to your skin after a shower, you can imagine what happens when you sit in a puddle of hard water fueled suds! Not only are you sitting in a tub of skin-drying minerals, you very likely had to use at least 3 times as much soap as recommended just to achieve the opaque bubble cover a bath demands!

Soft water means softer, healthier skin and hair! Not only that, but hard water can quickly take a hard hit on your budget! In addition to overspending on detergents, soaps, and scum removers, your clothes, dishes, and appliances are hit hard by mineralized water. If you’re noticing rapid wear and tear, you likely have your water supply to blame.

If you have concerns about your water, or simply want to have your water supply tested to determine your home’s needs, contact one of our highly qualified professional dealers today for a full assessment at [[phone]], or visit our website at www.problemwaterfixed.com.

GET RID OF IRON AND RUST STAINS ONCE AND FOR ALL

2018-07-28T00:00:00.05Z

If your home’s water comes from a private well, you may have noticed that certain appliances, including your washing machine and dishwasher require more detergent and additional cycles before they appear clean.

But for many homeowners, an even bigger nuisance than increased detergent use and higher utility costs is the unsightly stains on your appliances and bathroom fixtures as a result of excessive mineral amounts in your water supply.

What Causes Mineral and Rust Stains?

Stains on toilet bowls like this are the result of elevated iron content in a home’s private well water.

If you have a buildup of iron or other minerals in your water supply, you may notice no matter how often you clean your sinks or toilets, you still accumulate reddish/brownish rings around your drain or toilet bowl. These stains are caused by large amounts of iron in your water. That’s because minerals like calcium, magnesium, lime, and iron attach to nearly every surface they encounter.

In deep wells, where oxygen content is low, water containing dissolved iron and manganese will appear clear and colorless at the tap. Once it is exposed to air, iron becomes oxidized, leaving a solid reddish-brown stain on laundry, plumbing fixtures, and porcelain toilet bowls. Simply put, the more exposed iron is to oxygen, the darker the color it turns.

Rust can also form in the drum of your washing machine and stain your clothes as well, making some white fabrics (usually cotton) appear slightly yellow or orange after being washed.

Mineral and Limescale Buildup

Large amounts of calcium can also cause limescale to target bathroom appliances.

It is commonly found on faucets, showerheads, and parts of the plumbing connected to washing machines. Limescale occurs any time hard water comes into contact with a surface.

Over time, limescale can clog hot water pipes and drastically minimize the heating efficiency of a water heater.

Solutions for Iron and Other Mineral Stains

Perhaps the biggest frustration homeowners with hard water face is the continual cleaning that must be done to keep iron and other mineral stains to a minimum.

Many commercial products, such as rust removing sprays and lime descalers are available to help homeowners eliminate the appearance of stubborn stains.

Iron and Rust Stain Removers

Iron and rust removal products come in a variety of forms. From liquids to powders, there’s a cleaner for just about any appliance or stain. Liquid rust stain removers are designed to dissolve rust and iron stains on white porcelain sinks and toilet bowls and are safe for pipes and septic systems. Powder versions, as well as bowl cleaners, are also available for removing stains from household appliances.

Lime Descalers

Similar to liquid rust stain removers, descalers work by dissolving troublesome deposits on contact. Most commercially available descalers are strong enough to target calcium buildups, but gentle enough not to affect chrome, glaze, and grout, or corrode piping.

Combat Stubborn Stains with Vinegar and Lemon Juice

Looking for a more natural stain removal solution? A simple squirt of lemon juice or cleaning vinegar can temporarily dissolve limescale deposits with little effort and even less money. For washing machines, simply substitute a cup of detergent with either liquid and run an empty washing cycle.

Dishwashers can benefit from this remedy as well. All you need to do is pour one of the two substances into the base of the machine instead of the detergent dispenser.

Another tip to prevent iron and rust stains from building up in your toilet bowl is to replace the flush valve if you notice your tank is having problems filling up or water is running constantly.

Beware of Bleach

One of the biggest mistakes many homeowners make when trying to remove stains from surfaces or appliances is to apply bleach. This can actually make stubborn stains worse, as bleach is a combination of chlorine and water which oxidizes iron upon contact. The chlorine compound works great to remove stains from clothing and is effective in killing germs but accelerates rusting when mixed with iron.

Prevent Iron Stains with a Water Filtration System

Stain removal products are a great go-to when it comes to cleaning bathroom fixtures and other areas of the home affected by mineral buildup; however, the only permanent way to prevent iron stains and limescale from reoccurring is to install a water filtration system, like the Evolve air injected iron filter.

Many people want to avoid the expense of a water treatment system, but end up paying more on cleaning products and bottled drinking and cooking water than the cost of the water system itself. Worse yet, they spend endless amounts of time continuously cleaning the same appliances and fixtures over and over again.

Do you want to stop wasting your time scrubbing rust stains and improve the taste of your water? Send us a message using the button below; we can help!

[cngo_cta_text]

LOW WATER PRESSURE IN YOUR HOME -WHY IT HAPPENS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO

2018-07-21T00:00:00.05Z

Living in a home with low water pressure is frustrating and inefficient. If your home has hard water, it could be slowly but surely restricting flow until you’ve got major complications. You’ll typically notice it first when you’re showering. That’s the place where we all enjoy good water pressure and need it to rinse the soap and shampoo away. However, water pressure problems can also impact other areas of your home. Washing machines take longer to fill up, dishwashers take longer to run through cycles, and faucets slow down to a dribble. The first step in addressing the problem is identifying the underlying cause. Here’s a look at some of the most common reasons why homeowners experience low water pressure as well as some advice on what you can do.

Valve Issues

City residences connected to a municipal water supply will have two important valves: one at the street level found outside your home at the water meter, and the other is the house’s main water shut-off valve. If either of these valves are partially closed, you may notice a difference in water pressure. Issues with valves are uncommon, but if there’s a sudden change in pressure, it’s worth checking out. The water meter valve should be operated by the municipality. If there was any utility work or repairs done on your home recently, and your entire home experienced a sudden drop in water pressure, it is possible that’s the cause.

The main shut-off valve should also be checked. This where water enters your home and it could be located inside or outside. It is often found near the water heater. Make sure it is fully open.

Pressure Regulator

Some homes have another type of valve known as a pressure regulator. It reduces water pressure coming into the house to a safe and comfortable level. Water pressure that’s too high can create plumbing issues and cause unnecessary stress on appliances like dishwashers and clothes washers. A regulator protects pipes and appliances as well as extend the life of fixtures.

When a pressure regulator fails, it could cause a sudden increase or decrease in water pressure. A common reason for failure is sediment build up in the valve, which could cause blockages, pump problems, and short cycling.

If you think this is the cause of your concerns, it’s best to call a local plumbing professional. It could be that your regulator is set too low to meet your family’s demands. For example, do you seem to lose pressure when showering at the same time the dishwasher is running? This might be related to the pressure regulator.

Faucets and Fixtures

Water pressure problems could be as simple as faulty faucets and fixtures. If you’re experiencing low pressure in a specific area, check for clogging or corrosion that could be slowing water flow.

This can be rather easy to remedy. You can replace faucet aerators, clean showerheads to remove limescale, or simply buy new fixtures to replace the defective ones.

Just be aware, repairing or replacing faucets and fixtures is only a temporary solution. The problem will come back over time.

You’re likely getting buildup from hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium in your water. This is one of several common hard water problems. The tiny holes in your showerhead, for example, can easily get clogged with the residue that dissolved minerals leave behind.

A residential water treatment solution, such as a quality water softener, is the best way to permanently avoid these annoyances.

Clogged Pipes

Of course, fixtures aren’t the only things that can become clogged by mineral deposit buildup from hard water. The issue could run deeper, causing more serious plumbing headaches. Clogged pipes are one of the most frequent reasons for low water pressure.

The pipes in your home are a lot like the arteries in your body. And, just as cholesterol can clog your veins, limescale restricts the diameter of piping over time, leading to low water pressure. Read our article to learn more.

You can try quick fixes for clogged pipes, including using chemical products or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Unfortunately, these hacks are meant to work on drain pipes, not the pipes delivering water through your home.

When there are plumbing issues contributing to water pressure reduction, it will happen slowly over time. So, you may not notice it until you recognize the signs and symptoms and the problem becomes bad enough that you need to call a plumber.

If you visit friends and family, and notice they have much better water pressure, it could mean yours needs to be examined. Ask your hosts if they own a water softener.

Corroded Plumbing

Many times, plumbing problems that lead to poor water pressure happen in systems with older, galvanized iron pipes. Not only can these pipes become clogged with scale, they’ll also become restricted by corrosion.

Acidic water with a low pH can cause corrosion, but water that is too alkaline may also corrode copper pipes. Elevated levels of dissolved oxygen in water, sulfate and iron bacteria, high total dissolved solids (TDS), and sediment in the water that wears on piping may also produce corrosion.

Higher water temperatures increase the risk of corrosion. That’s one reason why you may notice a decrease in water pressure when you’re using hot water.

Water Heaters

Another area of concern when diagnosing pressure problems with hot water is a home’s water heater.

If you specifically notice reduced pressure when using hot water, it could be that your water heater is struggling to produce enough for your home’s usage requirements.

Once again, there’s a very good chance hard water is contributing to your troubles. Buildup in pipes may be blocking flow into and out of the water heater, which results in less-than-desirable pressure.

Hard water can also wear out appliances including water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines sooner than expected. Thankfully, there is a simple solution to stop all these troubles.

Well Water Pressure

Homeowners in rural areas who get water from a private well may have different reasons for low water pressure.

One common reason is that sediment clogs the well screen. In this case, a local well and pump expert can come to remove the pump, flush the well, and clean or replace the screen as well as any other components that are causing problems. An issue such as this may indicate your well needs a better seal.

Low water pressure from a well could also stem from a change in water levels. Nearby wells accessing the same aquifer could be affecting your supply. Or, the aquifer could be dried up and your well may need to move or be dug deeper. Read about other common well water problems on the Water-Right blog.

Prevent Problems with a Water Softener

If your home has hard water (and the majority of U.S. homes do), the best way to protect your investment is to have a high-quality water softener installed by a local expert who understands water quality in your area.

Soft water helps you avoid the buildup that causes low water pressure and many other difficulties that can drive homeowners mad. From personal care problems like dried out hair and skin, to housecleaning headaches and appliance issues, hard water is a nuisance. Contact us to learn more today!

[cngo_cta_text]

WHY YOU CAN STILL GET SPOTTING WITH A WATER SOFTENER

2018-06-28T00:00:00.05Z

Here’s a confusing question we get from people every now and then …

A customer has a water softener to help remove the minerals that cause soap scum, scale buildup, and other hard water problems, but they’re still seeing spotting on things like their dishes, faucets, and after washing the car.

So what’s going on? Shouldn’t a water softener keep that from happening?

There are few reasons why you may still get spots on surfaces even with a water softener installed.

Your Water Softener Needs Maintenance

The first question you should ask is whether your in-home water treatment system is functioning properly. If it’s not, your water won’t be the quality you expect and spotting could easily occur.

Do you need to add water softener salt? If your brine tank is less than half full, that could be the problem.

Select water softeners from Water-Right can take advantage of our patented salt monitors, which alert you when salt is needed.

You could also have a salt bridge or salt dome. This happens when a hard layer forms on top of the salt pile in the brine take. This layer is supported by the edges of the tank, creating a gap that prevents the salt from dissolving in the water.

You may be able to break up the crusted layer yourself using something like a broom handle.

“Salt mushing” is what happens when dissolved salt recrystallizes and forms a mushy sediment at the bottom of the brine tank. Salt mushing may keep your water softener from properly regenerating. The best way to fix this problem is to completely drain the system of water and replace the salt.

Yet another maintenance issue you may run into is the need to clean your resin beads. Even though a water softener’s regeneration cycle recharges the media, it’s still necessary to flush the resin bed every so often.

Are you sure your system settings are correct for your usage? That can also affect the performance of the system and the quality of your water. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for us to do a system check on your water Softener.

[cngo_cta_text]

COMMON REGIONAL WATER PROBLEMS: THE CENTRAL STATES (MIDWEST)

2018-06-14T00:00:00.05Z

Travel across the United States and you’ll encounter different people, landscapes, and weather. The quality of water also differs greatly from region to region.

To help homeowners understand the types of water problems that are typical in certain parts of the country, Water Specialties Group has put together an article explaining common contaminants relating to water quality in America. We’ll be relying on our trusty partners at Water-Right (the manufacturer of our Evolve products) and their expert regional sales managers for their insights. They travel the country meeting with our network of dealers, plumbers, and well drillers. Nobody knows water problems better than these guys.

Water-Right regional sales managers, Jeff O’Callaghan and Mark Selvig, spend a lot of time in what we refer to as the Central States. That includes:

Iowa
Kansas
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
South Dakota
Oklahoma
Texas

Many of the homes in this region are getting their water from a private well, which almost always requires softening. However, Selvig notes that homes on municipal water may need a softener as well. Plus, there is another type of water that’s common in the Midwest.

“Out in the Dakotas, our water treatment dealers and plumbers are dealing with rural water,” he explains. “That’s basically a municipal water system for rural areas, which could be partially softened. They may take the hardness down from 30 to 10 grains per gallon. People start to believe they don’t need a water softener but that’s not true, 5 or 10 grains of hardness in your water can still be detrimental to your plumbing system, your water heater, and more.”

If you’re getting excessive soap scum and limescale buildup in your home, your water is probably still too hard. If left untreated, it can wear down appliances sooner and cause a host of other hard water problems.

A number of these states fall into what’s known as the Missouri River Valley. O’Callaghan tells us iron is a common culprit for homeowners with problem well water.

“Heavy iron in the Missouri Valley area is very common, particularly in Nebraska, eastern Kansas and eastern Oklahoma,” he says. “There’s just a lot of natural iron in the soil along the region that percolates into the aquifer or the water tables.”

While iron in the water doesn’t pose any health risks, it can certainly be a nuisance. If you notice red, rusty stains in your sink, toilet, and tub – iron is probably to blame. High iron content in the water can stain your laundry, too. Plus, it may give your home’s water a metallic taste and affect the flavor of beverages like coffee and tea.

Lift the cover of the tank on the back of your toilet. If you see a lot of slimy gunk floating around in there, that’s probably bacteria that’s feeding on the iron in your water. Iron bacteria is not harmful to humans, but it can cause other problems such as clogged or corroded pipes and damaged appliances.

Learn more about our Evolve series conditioners that are the perfect solution for your well water issues. They are capable of removing iron and softening hard water in the same unit!

[cngo_cta_text]

WATER SOFTENER MYTHS - 8 THINGS PEOPLE GET WRONG

2018-05-29T00:00:00.05Z

Water softeners can make life more convenient for many homeowners. Unfortunately, there are quite a few myths about residential water treatment that people believe. Some of them are just misconceptions, others are complete lies.

Here’s the truth about what happens when you use a water softener in your home as we bust eight different soft water myths.

Myth No. 1 – Water softeners put salt in your water.

It’s easy to understand why people make this mistake. However, you are not drinking salt water if you install a water softener in your home.

It’s true that you’ll need water softener salts, but you shouldn’t taste salt in your water. Water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove minerals like calcium and magnesium, which make the water hard.

A special media stored in a mineral tank makes this process possible. That media is charged with sodium ions, which replace the hard minerals in your water. So it isn’t salt (NaCl) that gets added to your water, it’s sodium (Na).

Find out more about how water softeners work

Myth No. 2 – The amount of sodium in softened water is unhealthy.

How much sodium a water softener adds to your water depends on how hard your home’s water is in the first place.

That being said, the typical amount of sodium in softened water is too small to have any sort of negative impact on your health. The Mayo Clinic states on its website that “the added sodium shouldn’t be an issue for most healthy adults.”

Check out the chart below. It compares the amount of sodium in softened water to common foods. As you can see, soft water adds a small amount of sodium to your diet when compared to everything else we eat.

However, not everyone likes the taste of softened water, but they don’t want to deal with hard water problems either. Thankfully, there are options. You could separate the tap you use for drinking and cooking from your system while still getting the advantages of soft water for cleaning, bathing, and laundry.

Better yet, you could install a reverse osmosis system to get pure and refreshing drinking water straight from a faucet at your sink.

Myth No. 3 – Water softeners purify water.

Water softeners are specifically designed to reduce the hardness of water. They do an excellent job of removing minerals and metals that cause scale and create all sorts of household headaches.

However, water softeners do not filter out all contaminants. This is another reason why you may need a reverse osmosis system for the water your family actually consumes. You can also look into other types of in-home filtration systems to deal with iron and sulfur issues.

We like to remind people that “sometimes you need to get good water before you can have great water.”

Myth No. 4 – Water softening takes away healthy minerals.

When some people hear how water softeners remove calcium and minerals they think the softening process is taking away important nutrients. After all, calcium and magnesium can benefit things like bone health.

The truth is that the calcium and magnesium deposits in hard water are inorganic minerals, which don’t provide the same benefits as obtaining minerals from food or supplements. The calcium and magnesium in hard water cannot be easily absorbed by the cells in your body.

Plants are able to transform inorganic minerals into an organic state, which is why you need to eat your veggies, but drinking hard water won’t do much for adding minerals to your diet.

Myth No. 5 – Soft water leaves a film on your skin.

Some people notice a different feeling on their skin when they first shower in soft water. It feels slick, and some might even say slimy.

This is not a film being left behind on your skin, and it isn’t soap that doesn’t wash away either. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. When you have hard water it does leave soap scum on your skin. What you notice after showering in hard water is not a sign you’re “squeaky clean,” but instead, that you are covered in a sticky residue.

The slickness on your skin when you bathe in soft water is actually your body’s natural essential oils. It’s how clean is supposed to feel! Think of it as having silky smooth skin instead of sticky soap scum skin.

Learn more in our article about showering in hard water

Myth No. 6 – Water softeners waste water and energy.

It’s true that some water softeners can waste water and salt during the regeneration process. This is a cycle your system goes through to re-charge the media with sodium ions.

Today, there are high-efficiency models available to homeowners. For instance, Water-Right (the manufacturer we partner with) has developed a unique technology called W.E.T. (Water Efficient Technology) available on their Evolve® products, which helps save money and energy by learning your home’s water needs and using only the amount of water and salt that’s necessary for regeneration.

There are also other ways in-home filtration can help the environment. Soft water is more efficient at cleaning, that means you’ll use less detergent and chemical-filled cleaning products, which in turn reduces water pollution.

Plus, when you have a reverse osmosis system, you can stop buying water in plastic bottles. The environmental impact of bottled water is huge!

Myth No. 7 – Water softeners cost a lot of money.

Putting a water softener in your home will require an initial investment. However, it will save you quite a bit of your hard earned money in the long run.

Yes, your water softener will use electricity, you’ll have to buy salt, and it will need to be serviced on occasion. But in reality, water softeners put much more money back in your pocket.

Perhaps the biggest savings come from your water heater. These appliances operate much better on soft water while hard water makes them inefficient and forces you to run the water heater at a higher temperature. That’s one way a water softener will lower your utility bills while extending the life of appliances.

Water softeners help keep other appliances running longer, too. Soft water reduces the amount of laundry detergent you use to clean clothes by more than 50-percent, and prevents colors from fading.

Learn about other savings in the Water Quality Association’s (WQA) Softened Water Benefits Study.

Myth No. 8 – You don’t need a water softener if you have city water.

This might be one of the biggest misconceptions of all. Water softeners are most-commonly found in homes where there is a private well using groundwater. In that case, the water almost always needs softening.

However, municipal water is rarely ever perfect water. In fact, more than 80-percent of all homes in the United States have hard water. Every city has different water quality. If you’re unhappy with your home’s water – whether it's drinking, cleaning, laundry, or bathing – there are things you can do that will provide an effective solution. Contact us today to find out more!

[cngo_cta_text]

WHY WATER QUALITY AT YOUR CABIN IS DIFFERENT THAN AT HOME

2018-04-06T00:00:00.05Z

Retreating to your family’s cabin in the woods or cottage by the lake is a relaxing way to spend the summer. It’s a special place with all the comforts home, yet you are miles away from the daily grind of everyday life.

Of course, as close as it is to heaven on earth, it’s not perfect. There may be a few mosquitoes to swat and all that time outdoors makes it hard to avoid a little sunburn. Another annoyance many owners of cabins and cottages deal with is water quality.

You probably notice differences in the way water at the cabin tastes, smells, and looks. It may also cause some issues with cooking and cleaning. The difference in water quality may be especially noticeable for people who have municipal water at home and a private well at their vacation home.

Depending on where you live, and what type of water treatment equipment you have at home, the water at your cabin is likely much harder than you’re used to. But, there could be other factors impacting water quality, too.

Here’s a look at common complaints concerning water at cabins and cottages as well as what you can do to make your water right.

Hard Water and Showering

After a long day of hanging out on the beach, swimming in the lake, and hiking through the woods, there’s nothing like a refreshing hot shower to get rid of sunscreen, sweat, and bug spray. Hard water can ruin your showering experience, however, leaving you feeling less than completely clean.

That’s because hard water doesn’t play well with soap and shampoo. The hard minerals (magnesium and calcium) in unsoftened water prevent you from getting a nice, sudsy lather. It also means the soap on your hair and skin is harder to rinse off, which leaves soap residue behind.

These hardness minerals are a product of the environment the water travels through before entering your cabin. So depending on how far you travel to reach your home away from home, the water quality will vary based on the landscape. Water that is just slightly harder than you are used to can make a big difference.

If your hair looks limp and your skin feels itchy when you’re at the cabin, it may be more than the bugs and humidity. It could be your water. Installing a water softener at your vacation home creates water that is better for bathing, and helps you look your best because you’ll want everyone looking sharp for that family photo!

You can easily combat these hard water problems by installing one of our amazing Evolve softeners. Call us today to learn more!

[cngo_cta_text]

Common Water Problems In The Great Lakes Area

2018-04-06T00:00:00.05Z

COMMON REGIONAL WATER PROBLEMS: GREAT LAKES STATES

The largest source of freshwater on the planet is found in the Great Lakes. But, just because there’s a large supply doesn’t mean homeowners don’t have water quality concerns. The water treatment experts at Water Specialties Group have plenty of experience working with problem water around Illinois, but we've asked our partners at Water-Right (the manufacturer of Evolve series products) just how far these common water issues spread.

We spoke with three of their regional sales managers: Mark Selvig, Mike Speicher, and John Degeneffe, to find out about typical issues in the following states:

Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Minnesota
Ohio
Wisconsin

The Upper Midwest experiences a wide range of water problems and there can be distinct differences within the same state. Mark Selvig and John Degeneffe both work in the state of Wisconsin where they list problems including basic hardness and iron issues as well as different pH levels in the water.

“In Western Wisconsin, we run into low pH conditions,” says Selvig. “A pH of 7 is neutral and anything below that is considered acidic. In this region, we see pH get as low as 5. Water with high acidity is detrimental to your plumbing. It will slowly eat away at copper pipes causing what we call ‘pin-hole leaks.’”

Speicher said acidic water can be an issue in Upper Michigan too, and Degeneffe adds that he finds it in Northern Wisconsin as well. However, water that is more alkaline will cause other problems because of the hard minerals that are present.

“In the northern part of the state, where there’s low pH water, hardness is not as much of an issue,” Degeneffe explains. “In the southern half of Wisconsin there’s lots of hardness, anywhere from 12 grains to 110. That’s how much it varies.”

A water softener is the best solution for dealing with hardness from calcium and magnesium. However, because hardness levels vary, you still need someone who understands how to set up the softener to work properly on your home’s water. Plus, removing dissolved minerals may not solve all your water problems. Speicher recently visited customers who tried a DIY water softener installation, but they weren’t satisfied with the results.

“They put a water softener in and thought it was going to take care of everything,” he says. “But, the softener wasn’t taking care of the iron, so they called us wondering why they had iron bleed through.”

Red staining from iron and iron bacteria issues are common in Great Lakes states like Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana. This kind of problem water often requires additional filtration or special water treatment media, such as Water-Right’s exclusive zeolite, Crystal-Right.

Because there are such wide discrepancies, even in the same part of a state, we always recommend finding someone in your area who understands the intricacies of how water is best treated.

“Water is a very local issue,” says Selvig. “If you truly have water quality concerns, you need to find a local professional. The big box stores are good at what they do, but I always like to work with a localized expert.”

“What might work for a certain type of problem water in one part of the country may not be the right solution in another region, even though the parameters are nearly the same,” Degeneffe says. “For example, the way you treat tannins in Wisconsin is very different than how they’re treated in Florida.”

Tannin Trouble

Tannins are decayed vegetation and other organic material that can get into well water and cause it to have a yellow or tea-like appearance. It’s not harmful, but it can cause staining.

Another major nuisance in many of the Great Lakes states of the Upper Mideast is hydrogen sulfide, which causes a rotten egg smell. Speicher says this kind of stinky water tends to be worst in Northwest Indiana, Southeast Michigan, and Northwest Ohio. He’s encountered homes where a sulfuric odor permeates from the ground.

“In some of the most severe cases, they have to put a pond system outside the house to let the smell aerate out the pond,” Speicher says. “Then they suck the water out of the pond and put a complete treatment system in the home so the water is usable for bathing and drinking.”

Water With Rotten Egg Smell

Hydrogen sulfide is an annoying problem, but isn’t harmful. Often, it’s the problems you can’t see, smell, or taste that pose health risks.

“People will have either cosmetic concerns or health concerns,” Degeneffe says. “Typically, homeowners aren’t aware of health risks until someone does well work or drills a new well and they test the water.”

Health risks from municipal water are possible, too. You can’t talk about water problems in the Great Lakes without bringing up the lead contamination of public water in Flint, Michigan. Speicher says the issue in Flint was that the city didn’t invest in properly treating the water.

“They have no more problems than most municipalities in the region, except they didn’t have the money to put polyphosphates in the water to keep the lead from leaching out,” he explains. “In Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I live, we have lead in the water, but we treat it with polyphosphates.”

Other potentially harmful water contaminants found in the Upper Midwest include arsenic and nitrates, which are also undetectable by human senses. An R.O. system is one of the best solutions for removing these contaminants from drinking water.

Want to Know for Sure? Have Your Water Tested

It is never our intention to cause alarm over water quality. In most cases, your water will be harmless, but there are steps you can take if you’d rather be safe than sorry.

“Municipal water and well water are generally safe to drink, but it’s never a bad idea to get a sample and have it tested by a state-certified lab,” says Selvig. “It will give you peace of mind, let you know if your water is safe, and help you make decisions about what water treatment solutions are best.”

“The biggest problem we run into is people failing to have their home’s water properly tested,” says Speicher. “And then, even if they do test the water, they don’t know the proper applications to use to get the desired result. Too many people want to do things as cheaply as possible, but we believe in doing it right.”

[cngo_cta_text]

Reverse Osmosis

2018-04-18T00:00:00.05Z

Reverse osmosis (R.O.) drinking water truly is the purest choice for any home. It’s water the way nature intended us to drink it. But how exactly do these systems work, and what do they do to your home’s water? Osmosis is defined as the process of molecules passing through a semi-permeable membrane from a less-concentrated solution into a more-concentrated solution. An example or osmosis from nature is the roots of plants drawing water from the soil. Reverse osmosis is simply the opposite of that process.

Step 1: Pre-filtration

The first step in purifying water with reverse osmosis is meant to protect the membrane. It removes larger sediment, including some dissolved solids, and helps reduce chlorine. This first cartridge is referred to as the sediment filter or carbon block filter. It helps conserve the membrane, which can get clogged by excess sediment or damaged by exposure to too much chlorine, which you’ll find in municipal water.

Step 2: The Reverse Osmosis Membrane

Following the initial filtration comes the real magic of an R.O. system.

Your water is forced through the semi-permeable membrane under pressure. The membrane is a synthetic plastic material that allows the passage of water molecules. However, sodium, chlorine, and calcium, as well as larger molecules like glucose, urea, bacteria and viruses, cannot pass.

We have reverse osmosis drinking water systems that are tested and certified for reduction of:

lead
arsenic
copper
nitrates and nitrites
chromium (hexavalent & trivalent)
selenium
fluoride
radium
barium
cadmium
cyst (cryptosporidium)
total dissolved solids (TDS)

Water Specialties Group's drinking water system uses thin film composite (TFC) membranes in its ClearFlo reverse osmosis system. This type of membrane is resistant to bacteria breakdown and has a high rejection rate of 95 to 97 percent on average. TFC membranes are not chlorine-resistant, which is why a carbon prefilter is used.

Steps 3 & 4: Post Filtration and Final Polish

Before your home’s water is ready to drink, it goes through a second carbon filter (or post filter), which removes any remaining contaminants in the unlikely case they slipped past the membrane.

Then the water fills up a storage tank where it waits until you’re ready to use it.

Finally, there’s the in-line activated carbon filter, which gives your water one last polish as it comes out your faucet. This is used to remove any remaining odors or flavors that may come from the system hoses or the holding tank.

The polish is a “just in case” step to make sure the water you drink tastes incredibly fresh! Contact us today to learn more about how a reverse osmosis system can deliver the brilliant water you deserve.

[cngo_cta_text]