If you’ve ever wondered how to create better water in your home, then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re interested in softening your water, reducing harmful bacteria or getting rid of lead, you’ll find everything you need here. And with so many things to choose from, we’re sure you’ll find the best option for your needs and budget.
Water Softeners
Water softeners are one of the best investments you can make for your home and family. Not only will they help you save money on cleaning products and soap, but they’ll also keep your plumbing and appliances working longer and more efficiently.
A water softener works by removing the calcium and magnesium ions in your tap water and replacing them with sodium ions. The exchange eliminates the negative effects of hard water, like scale and limescale buildup.
There are two common types of water softeners: Ion-exchange and salt-free.
Ion-exchange: This type of softener uses a tank filled with resin beads to remove calcium and magnesium. When the resin beads are depleted of their negative charges, they’ll attract mineral ions instead.
Some ion-exchange systems use electric timers that determine when to regenerate based on your water use. Other devices use a computer or mechanical water meter to judge bead depletion and kick on the regeneration process only when the system needs it.
Water Conditioners
Whether you’re dealing with a taste, smell, or color problem from water in your home, or simply want better soft water for showering, bathing, and cooking, a conditioner can help. Not only can a water conditioning system help you get the best water possible, but it also saves you time and money in the long run because it eliminates the need for multiple appliances that address one issue at a time.
Using template-assisted crystallization (TAC), these systems alter the chemical structure of hard water minerals so that they cannot stick to pipes and appliances, preventing scale build-up. This helps prevent stains, corrosion, and discoloration.
There are many different types of water conditioners, but they all use a variety of techniques to manipulate the behavior of mineral ions in your water. Some work by electrolyzing the ions, while others utilize magnetism or other methods.
Water Filters
Water filters help eliminate harmful contaminants from your drinking water and can also improve the taste of your home’s tap water. The most common household water filter uses what is called activated carbon granules (usually referred to as “active carbon” or AC) which are made from a porous material called charcoal.
The granules act as a fine, physical barrier that traps impurities such as chlorine and pesticides in the water and keeps them out of your system. Other types of water filters use a combination of physical, chemical and biological filtration methods to remove undesirable chemicals, suspended solids and gases from your water supply.
Not only do water filters remove many unwanted contaminants, but they can also reduce the amount of sediment that settles in your pipes and appliances. Sediment buildup can cause water heaters to have a harder time heating the water and may result in higher energy bills.
Water Testing
Better Water tests can help you understand what is wrong with your water and how to treat it. They can also help you avoid wasting money on products that do not work.
Tests for water quality look for coliform bacteria, improper pH, sodium, chloride nitrates, sulfate, manganese, iron and other dissolved solids. These contaminants can make the water taste and smell bad and can cause health problems.
Natural mineral deposits, sewage, and human-made chemicals are common sources of water contaminants. Some of these substances may be harmless in low concentrations, but they can be dangerous if ingested in high concentrations.
