Softened Water for Eczema Sufferers by Soft Options

Hard Water

What causes hard water?

Depending on where we live, the quality and contents of the water we use will vary considerably. Some areas of the UK have soft water as the naturally soft rainwater passes through hard rocks which do not dissolve.

Pipes blocked up with scale from hard water

But in other areas, rainwater drains through softer chalk and limestone which dissolve. The dissolved chalk, lime, and other minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, make the water hard and form scale.

So the hardness of your water is dependent on where you live. Sub-soil levels can also contain nitrates, pesticides and insecticides.

How do you soften hard water?

An efficient water softening system is the only way to remove these contaminants, both natural and man-made. Not only will it completely remove lime scale particles from water flowing into your home, it will gradually remove existing scale deposits!

Map of UK showing hard water areas

Key
		Very hard water
		Moderately hard water
		Soft water

Boiler with scale from hard water

An efficient water softening system uses an ion exchange process to completely remove chalk and lime deposits (calcium and magnesium carbonates). The water is passed through a cylinder containing ion-exchange resin beads. These beads collect and exchange the lime scale in the water. The resin is periodically flushed or regenerated to a drain using a solution of brine. Most modern water softeners will automatically monitor the volume of water used and will flush when required. The only operation needed is to occasionally check and replenish salt, in most cases about once a month.

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Ramsbury

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Wiltshire