What is Water Hardness

 Much has been written over the last seventy five years about water hardness, no universal definition exists.  What constitutes various levels of hard water?  Water Hardness is measured chemically by the amount of calcium bicarbonate and magnesium bicarbonate in a water sample.  The sum of total hardness is measured in units called grains per gallon.  This is solely for the purpose of sizing the right water softener equipment.  The most common or scientific measurement is in a milligram per litter or part per million. (these measurements commonly used by laboratories.) A conversion from milligram or part per million is achieved by dividing by a factor of 17.1 This will give you the Grain Per Gallon conversion.

Soft Water is measured at less than one grain per gallon.

Slightly Hard Water is  measured at 1 to 4 grains per gallon.

Moderately Hard Water is measured at 4 to 7 grains per gallon. 

Hard Water is measured at 7 to 10 grains per gallon.

Very Hard Water is measured at Over 10 grains per gallon.

Why have five different measurements of water hardness?  In my opinion it is a gauge of the instant calcification that occurs from Hard Water.  The build up on your faucets and fixtures.  The harm it causes modern appliances.  Soap and Hard Water do not mix well.  Soap film is caused by hard water.  The curdling of soap and soap residue or the soap build on  your clothes. Hard Water and soap products do not mix well together.  Modern Appliances that are designed for water conservation are effected by hard water.  Calcium Bicarbonate seems to build up more as less water / smaller water ports are over taken by water hardness.  The higher the hardness level the quicker the hard water cause issues for the appliance.   




 

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