Posts Tagged ‘Water Treatment Systems’

What is the Difference Between Water Filtration and Water Softening? A Question from Las Vegas

Monday, November 21st, 2011

If you’ve ever considered installing a water filtration system for your Las Vegas home, you probably ran across water softening and wondered how this is different than normal filtration. The two are similar in that they improve the quality of your water, protecting both you and your home’s plumbing system. However, filtration and softening are two very different things and you may not need both of them.

Water Softening

Water softening is a process designed to minimize the impact of hard water on your home’s plumbing. Hard water occurs when certain minerals like iron and magnesium are present in high levels in your water supply. The problem occurs when those mineral settle on your fixtures and pipes, leaving behind a residue that builds over time and can block the pipes or ruin the fixtures.

Hard water isn’t generally dangerous to your health, but if it is bad enough, it can result in poor tasting water and will cost you money as it does an increasing volume of damage to the system. To fix the problem, you soften the water with a chemical treatment that keeps the minerals from settling on their way through. They simply go straight through the pipes and fixtures and no damage is done.

Water Filtration

Filtration on the other hand is designed to remove key contaminants from your water – things like sediment, bacteria, mold, nitrates, and arsenic – things that can actually cause harm to you and your family if not properly treated.

While water filtration is not the same as water softening, the two often go hand in hand. Not only does water softening have the potential to add unsafe levels of sodium to your water (which then needs to be removed through filtration), but usually when water is hard, there are other contaminants as well that can cause harm if left unchecked.

The only way to be truly sure of which problem you have and which solutions are best is to have a full test of your water supply done. This will help you determine which of the many water cleaning solutions on the market will be best for your home.

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What Makes A Home Healthy? A Guide from Anthem

Monday, October 17th, 2011

The world we live in is full of toxins, pathogens and other potential health hazards. It’s unfortunate, but it is a fact of life. You may think of your Anthem home as a sanctuary from the outside world, but hazards exist can find their way in there. By taking some simple precautions, however, you can maintain a healthy home environment for yourself and your family.

Breathe Easier

Air quality is an important factor in good health, and just because you close the door behind you when you come home does not mean potentially contaminated air can’t creep into the house. Here are some tips to help you breathe easier:

  • Inspect your home’s ventilation system every spring to ensure it is good repair. Change the filter annually and keep the vents clean.
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors around your home, especially near appliances and fireplaces.
  • Do not smoke and do not allow others to smoke inside.

Hydrate Safely

Depending on where you live, your water supply may be at risk for a number of different contaminants. Being aware of the risks that exist in your local area is important, as is taking steps to keep the water you drink clean and healthy. Some examples include:

  • If you have lead pipes in your home, have them replaced. Lead is a neurotoxin that can build up and poison you over time.
  • Use a water treatment system to cleanse your water of chlorine, heavy metals, nitrates, and other potential contaminants that may have run into the local water table.

Keep It Clean

Finally, the most basic way to ensure you have a healthy home is to practice good hygiene and cleaning habits:

  • Disinfect bathroom and kitchen surfaces to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Vacuum regularly to prevent dust and allergen buildup.
  • Wash dishes and utensils after use, especially after contact with raw food.
  • Wash linens weekly in hot water to kill microbes and prevent the spread of disease.
  • As always, the most important of all: wash your hands, and encourage children to do the same.

Simple, careful practices like these will make a positive impact on your health and that of your family.

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How to Clean Water Spots from a Shower Door: A Guide From Anthem

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

The relationship between the water and the shower in your Anthem home is a little paradoxical. You use the water in the shower to keep yourself clean, and you can use water to keep your shower (and everything else!) clean, but if left unchecked, the water itself will leave your shower dirty and spotty.

Those spots left on your shower door are mineral deposits from water that has evaporated, leaving its mineral passengers behind. They are especially problematic in areas with harder water. Here is how you can get rid of them.

The Natural Way

It may surprise you to know that with all the chemicals available on the market for cleaning the bathroom, the best remedies for hard water are actually natural ones: lemon juice and vinegar. They are both acidic, so they can dissolve the mineral deposits, and they rinse away clean.

To use lemon juice (or a lemon), apply it to a damp sponge and wipe the door. You can also squirt the lemon juice directly on the door and wipe it with a sponge. Use this technique and let the lemon juice soak in a bit for tougher stains. Your shower will not only be clean, but it will smell like lemons.

Although it doesn’t smell as nice as lemon juice, vinegar also works well. Don’t forget the cleaning power of vinegar and baking soda, which generates a powerful chemical reaction that helps break up tough stains. For water spots, mix up a paste of vinegar and baking soda. Use a small brush, like an old toothbrush, to spread the paste around the edges of the shower door and on any tough stains. Wipe it clean with a damp sponge.

You can also use vinegar or lemon juice weekly to keep tough deposits from building up.

Other Ideas

There are some other methods you can use if the spots are really stubborn. CLR, for example, can break up very stubborn mineral deposits, but it is also toxic, so use it sparingly. Daily shower cleaner sprays work well to stop water spots from forming if used regularly. And if you think you have too much sediment in you water, look into a water treatment system.

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