What is hard water?

The water that comes out of your tap is not totally pure. Water is a good solvent and it can absorb chemicals quite easily. When water absorbs magnesium and calcium, especially in areas where limestone is present, it is said to be 'hard'. There are differing degrees of 'hardness' and a test will be able to tell you exactly how hard or soft your water is. An average hard water home builds up 1/16th (1.5mm) of an inch of scale per year.

A quick way to tell if you have hard water and may benefit from having a water softener is to look at the element in a kettle that you have been using for a while. If there are white deposits (limescale) on the element, you have hard water.

There is no evidence that hard water is any risk to your health, but there are a number of disadvantages of having hard water in your home. An automatic water softener is the only way to ensure you get soft water and the many benefits it brings you and your home.

Water softeners should not be confused with water conditioners. These devices are attached to existing pipework and release either magnetic, electromagnetic or radio wave pulses into the water. Unlike Water Softeners, they do not remove calcium and magnesium (hardness) from the water. Therefore there is no reduction in soaps and powders, removal of scum etc, and the lovely silky feel of soft water is not experienced.

What are the benefits of soft water?

The simple answer is that soft water saves you money. There are also other benefits associated with soft water.

Appliances - Limescale deposits build up on immersion heaters, in kettles, washing machines, irons, dishwashers and inside pipes and hot water cylinders. Not only will a water softener start to remove the limescale that is in your pipes and on your heating elements, but it will also prevent any further deposits in the future. Because elements that are already 'furred' up have to heat the limescale before they can heat the water, a scale free system will use less energy, saving on heating bills by as much as 70%. Just 3mm of scale increases your hot water bills by over 25%.

Your appliances will also enjoy a longer life expectancy once an automatic water softener is installed.

Shampoos - Hard water soaks up shampoos and bubble bath. Soft water also has a 'silky' feel to it and helps considerably those people who may suffer from dry skin. A bath stays clean with soft water and showerheads flow better as there is no scale blocking the outlet holes.

Detergents - With soft water in your home, you will need less soap powder in your washing machine and less detergent in your dishwasher. You also won't have to add separate salt to your dishwasher's water softening unit.

Cleaning - Because soft water leaves fewer residues than hard water, you'll need less of your cleaning product and it will take you less time and effort. An American study found that softened water cut the average time required for cleaning baths, sinks, taps, shower screens etc by nearly 40% as against a hard water home. Soft water also means it is easier to keep toilets clean and any crockery from a dishwasher dries both spot and stain free.

Cooking and drinking - People cooking with soft water claim that it enhances the taste and colour of food.

Salt

Hydrosoft Salt is ideal for all makes of water softener

Made with special care for water softness, Hydrosoft water softening salts dissolve evenly, so there are no problems with undissolved salt building up in the base of your water softener.

Consult your literature to see whether the manufacturer recommends granules or tablets - Hydrosoft granular or tablet salt is 99.9% pure and suitable for use in all makes of water softener.

For convenience and choice, these products come in handy 10kg bags and the larger family sized 25kg bag. Tough packaging ensures easy handling and storage.

Granular Salt

Hydrosoft granular salt is a rounded bead grown from individual crystals of salt. Hydrosoft is the only UK produced granular water softening salt made this way, which gives consistent brining in any water softener.

The beads of salt are free flowing, so they can be added to your water softener with the minimum of fuss.

Tablets

These strong smooth tablets are compacted using the latest technology, so they will not fall apart. With nothing added and nothing taken away; these are one of the purest water softening salt tablets around and will ensure best results for your water softener.