The UK’s Hard Water Problem: How to Fix Your Hard Water
In many European countries, hard water is a major problem and, in a lot of areas of the UK , it is no different. Hard water contains high levels of minerals, including calcium and magnesium. These minerals can build up in your pipes, fixtures, and appliances, causing them to wear out more quickly. They can also cause your skin and hair to become dry and brittle. How hard is my water? Water Softeners Water softeners are designed to remove these minerals from your water, preventing the hard water problems before they start. Water softeners work by exchanging the calcium and magnesium in hard water for sodium or potassium ions. This process is called ion exchange. The sodium or potassium ions do not stick to surfaces like calcium and magnesium ions do, so they will not cause the same problems that hard water does. Ion exchange occurs in a tank filled with small beads of resin. As hard water passes through the tank, the calcium and magnesium ions ...