Water Filtration Softens Things Up

Hard water isn't necessarily something that is hazardous to your health or even something you will notice, but it isn't something you want coming out of your faucets either. Whether it's your residence or place of work, filtering your tap can be a good decision for all involved.

Water filtration can accomplish a number of different things, from removing harmful deposits, bacteria and other contaminants to helping purify taste and color. What it can also do that many people may not even realize is soften what comes out of your pipes.

Hard water is characterized by a high mineral content, specifically calcium and magnesium. It typically can't be tasted or easily detected by the human senses other than the fact that it typically does not produce suds when combined with soap as it should. When it is most harmful is in an industrial setting, where it can lead to malfunctions with boilers and other vital equipment that it flows through.

A filtration system is a key step towards eliminating this problem. A filter can reduce the amount of calcium and magnesium in your pipes, as well as help eliminate other harmful ions that can lead to lime scale and corrosion. It does this by simply catching these particles within a filter and subjecting them to other elements that prevent them from continuing to flow through your tap, or by utilizing chemicals that bond them to molecules that prevent them from becoming active.

The removal process is achieved by what is known as an ion exchange. The water filtration device contains a bed of resin made up of sodium ions. Because they are negatively charged, these ions attract the calcium and magnesium and bond to them. In exchange, they release other ions such as hydrogen or potassium.

Sequestering the calcium and magnesium occurs when chemical agents are used. These agents are known as chelators and are made up of chemical ingredients typically found in preservatives and cleaners. These chelators introduce a molecule that binds with the calcium and magnesium and effectively sterilizes them, or makes them inactive and unable to take effect.

Systems that perform these functions can vary in size, scope and effectiveness. Smaller, single-use units that filter effectively can be purchased to attach to a faucet or tap and must be replaced after a certain period of time. Other units with a similar life cycle are available as part of containers or other devices used to store liquids.

For industrial use, softeners and filtering devices are available on a larger scale that are capable of handling large amounts. These can typically be fitted for existing systems or be installed as a single, stand-alone unit that is connected to a larger network of devices.

Water filtration as a whole can involve a number of difference processes that are capable of doing a number of different things, with softening being just one of those. Nonetheless, if you are looking to install a filter of any type, it is beneficial to utilize one that is capable of doing as many different things as possible.