Accurate Testing Labs
208-762-8378
Hardness in Drinking Water
HARDNESS:
"When hard water is heated, the minerals are re-crystallized to form scale. This scale can plug your hot water heater, causing premature failure, necessitating costly replacement"
Hard water is a common problem found in the average home. Hard water is water that contains dissolved hardness minerals (Calcium, Magnesium) above 1 GPG.
1- 3.5
slightly hard
3.5 - 7.0
moderately hard
7.0 - 10.5
hard
10.5 - over
very hard
GPG (grains per gallon) or PPM (parts per million). One part per million is just what it says: out of one million units, one unit. Grains per gallon is a weight measurement taken from the Egyptians; one dry grain of wheat, or about 1/7000 of a pound. It takes 17.1 PPM to equal 1 GPG.
Hard Water for many uses, it would not matter. For instance, water your lawn, wash the mud off the streets, water would have to be pretty hard to cause a problem.
For washing dishes and clothing, bathing, shaving, washing your car, and many other uses of water. "Hard water is not as efficient and economical as "soft":
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You use only 1/2 as much soap cleaning with soft water.
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because hard water and soap combine to form "soap scum" that can't be rinsed off, forming a 'bathtub ring' on all surfaces and dry's leaving unsightly spots on your dishes.
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When hard water is heated, the hardness minerals are re-crystallized to form a hardness scale. This scale can plug your hot water heater, causing premature failure, necessitating costly replacement.
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The soap scum remains on your skin even after rinsing, clogging the pores of your skin and coating every hair on your body. This crud can serve as a home for bacteria, causing diaper rash, minor skin irritation, and skin that continually itches.
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For many industrial uses, the hardness minerals interfere with the process, causing inferior products.
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Is my water hard? If you are on public water supply, call the water department, or the company name on your water bill. They can either provide the answer or direct you to the proper individual.
If you are on a private supply! Contact us: Accurate Testing Labs (208) 762 8378 (800) 676 0515 we can fix you up with sampling instructions, proper containers. Most water conditioning companies do the testing for free, but keep in mind we are an independent certified lab. We are not in the water treatment equipment selling business!
By the way, if you are on a private well, YOU, AND YOU ALONE are responsible for the safety of the water you and your family drink. You should test your supply for bacteria at least once per year and other contaminants at least every three years -- more under certain conditions.