Hard Water Scaling
Scaling occurs when water has high levels of minerals like calcium carbonate, which can build-up on surfaces. Slight scaling can be considered beneficial in that the inside surfaces of metal pipes become coated with harmless minerals that act as a barrier to corrosion.
Hard Water Scaling
Increased levels of scaling, however, can be harmful. Hot-water heaters are the most common place for scale formation in a home water system.
Problems caused by scaling include:
¦ Reduced efficiency of your hot-water heater.
¦ Reduced or blocked flow to fixtures or appliances.
¦ Leaky valves.
Effects of Hard Water Scaling
The degree of either corrosiveness or scaling can be predicted using a Saturation Index (SI). The following information contains a description of the SI, strategies for reducing problems, and treatment methods to reduce the corrosion or scale caused by your water.
WHAT IS A SATURATION INDEX (SI)?
The SI is a calculation that compares the actual pH to a theoretical pH based on physical and chemical properties of your water. The values range from negative to positive. Negative numbers indicate a potential for corrosion and positive numbers predict scale formation.
Values close to zero indicate that the water is balanced and there should not be problems from either corrosion or scaling. See the Saturation Index table below for SI values, descriptions, and general recommendations.
WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE SCALE FORMATION WITHOUT INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER?
Scale formation in the hot-water heater can be considerably reduced by lowering the temperature setting. Lower temperatures produce less scale. As an added benefit to lowering your hot-water temperature, your utility bill will be less.
However, dishwashers may not clean dishes properly at temperatures below 140°F. Scale may still form in the hot water heater and accumulate over time. As scale builds up, the efficiency of this appliance will decline. Flushing out the accumulated scale on a regular schedule will restore the heat transfer efficiency.
SATURATION INDEX (SI) DESCRIPTION RECOMMENDATIONS
-3.0 -5.0 Very Severe Corrosion Treatment Recommended
-1.0 to -3.0 Moderate Corrosion Consider Treatment
0.0 Balanced Treatment Not Needed
1.0 to 3.0 Moderate Scale Consider Treatment
3.0 to 5.0 Very Severe Scale Treatment Recommended
WHAT CAN I DO IF THE NON-TREATMENT STRATEGIES DON’T SOLVE MY SCALING PROBLEMS?
The most common treatment for reducing scale formation is to “soften” the water.
“Softening” is a process where calcium and magnesium in the water are exchanged with sodium. Commercial softeners are available either through a plumbing equipment supplier or a water treatment professional. Note that the amount of sodium in your water will increase, which can create problems for people on low sodium diets.
Only softening the hot water, removing the sodium before drinking, or by-passing the softener for drinking water can eliminate this problem. Sodium can be removed by reverse osmosis, distillation, or ion exchange resin filtration
It is imperative that you filter your water to a quality that you can rely on and in a way that when municipal systems fail you will still be safe. A Water Conditioner / Softener is ideal for this
Water Softener