Certain minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and calcium, are essential to good health. These healthy minerals, unfortunately, are not produced naturally inside the body and as such would have to be obtained from various food sources. Some of these minerals are also present in tap water and can be removed with water-softening units.
Mineral Build-up
Too much calcium and magnesium can be dangerous to your Saskatoon plumbing system. As these minerals are carried by water, they collect and form chalky deposits called limescale, which clogs pipes, reduces flow, and impedes the water heating process. Water with a high mineral content, generally called hard water, causes clothes to look grimy and leaves a sticky texture on the skin. In an article for LiveStrong.com, contributor Shawn Mihalik discusses the effects of these minerals on plumbing systems and on personal hygiene.
The minerals in hard water interfere with almost every cleaning task, says the University of Nebraska. When soap and hard water combine, a sticky substance known as soap curd is formed. This residue can be very difficult to get rid of and has adverse effects when bathing. This soap curd prevents the skin from returning to its normal condition, leading to possible irritation, and makes hair lifeless, dull and hard to manage.
To prevent the formation of limescale, mineral-rich tap water must be softened. Water softening involves the use of an ion-exchange resin device, where the resin is negatively charged and is bonded to positively charged sodium. As water flows through the device, an ion exchange occurs and leaves behind mainly sodium ions that do not form harmful deposits, unlike limescale. Salt, however, poses a different problem as the sodium content of softened water is not naturally occurring. Consequently, excessive intake of high-sodium tap water can damage internal organs and cause irreversible medical conditions.
Reverse Osmosis
To remedy this, you may want to enlist the services of a trusted Saskatoon plumber. A company like Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd. Such a plumbing professional may suggest installing a reverse osmosis system.
Reverse osmosis is the process of eliminating sodium chloride in water by pushing salt toward a semipermeable membrane. This method helps prevent the negative effects of hard water on your plumbing system. It restores the good taste you want in your water.
Your plumber may also offer to install a taste and odour filtration system. There is also a water treatment filtration system to further purify the water you are drinking. For instance, you might find the need to up your intake of calcium and magnesium. You can opt to only install these water treatment systems at a select portion of your plumbing system.
(Source: Health Benefits of Soft Water, LiveStrong.com)