Testing for Hard Water
Eighty five percent of water available in the U.S. is considered “hard” water. This refers to water with high mineral content, including calcium and magnesium. In commercial settings, hard water is difficult on equipment, and higher mineral content may affect the quality of your products or make sanitizing areas difficult. Fortunately, there is a hard water test available if you are concerned about these impacts. Here is what to know about testing for hard water in Cincinnati, OH.
Effects of hard water
Generally, hard water leaves spots, damages pipes and is hard on your machinery. If you are in an industry, like medicine or hospitality, that depends on good sanitation, hard water makes it difficult to meet those standards. Washing hands with soap is not as effective with hard water, and cleaning surfaces like cooking areas and bathrooms is more difficult.
In manufacturing settings, applications using water jets require purity and softness to water to make those processes easier. Also, plants often find that hard water places more wear and tear on their machinery, making breakdowns more frequent and often shortening the life of critical equipment.
Fortunately, a water softener solves most of these problems. By filtering water and removing metallic resins, water mineralization is reduced and the impacts of hard water go away with it.
Hard water testing
Before you invest in a water softener, check to see if you actually need one. You can do this with a hard water test.
You have two options for this test. One includes water hardness strips. You can buy these at a hardware store or even order them online. Once you receive the strips, you will dip them into your tap water. From there, they will give you a reading on a scale of zero to 425 mg/L. Whether your water is too hard depends on your industry, but in most cases, a reading above 250 mg/L indicates you may benefit from a water softener system.
You can also test hardness without spending extra money. Find a clean water bottle with its cap intact so you can seal it. Next, find a soap with no added dyes or detergents. When you have these two items, fill the bottle one-third of the way with cool water. Add a few drops of the soap and shake the bottle for five seconds. If you have hard water, the water will appear cloudy and produce bubbles. Soft water remains clear.
These tests can indicate whether any recent issues are due to hard water and allow you to make informed decisions from that point forward. However, if your industry is specialized or you need to secure the most accurate results possible, it’s best that you hire a professional to test your water. That way, you can start finding a water softener system as soon as possible.
If a hard water test in Cincinnati, OH reveals a need for a water softener, Ultra Pure Water Technologies is here to help. We offer commercial water softeners for a variety of applications. Contact us today to discuss a water softening system for your plant or business.
Categorised in: Hard Water, Water Test
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