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Archive for July, 2016

Ventura’s Hard Water Woes

Posted by Rayne Water

Hard water is one of the greatest, and most widespread, water quality concerns here in America. In fact, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) almost 90 percent of homes here in the US are plagued with hard water problems. Hard water is characterized as water with a high mineral content. It is created as ground water permeates through deposits of chalk and limestone, which are mostly comprised of magnesium carbonates and calcium.
Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon; very soft water contains zero grains per gallon, whereas very hard water measures 10.5 grains per gallon. Our water here in Ventura County, on the other hand, measures between 20 and 50 grains per gallon which translates into severe hard water conditions. So what does that mean for Ventura residents? Well, the short answer is that installing a water softener is pretty much a necessity if you live here.
The biggest issue with hard water is that it is exceptionally hard on plumbing and plumbing fixtures. Untreated hard water will not only dramatically shorten the lifespan of plumbing fixtures and other water utilizing appliances and utilities, but it will also drastically lower their efficiency as well. This translates into high maintenance costs as well as higher utility bills.
Another area where the effects of hard water are felt is in on the skin and hair. Homeowners who bathe or shower with hard water, oftentimes notice that not only does their hair become brittle, dull and limp but their skin also dries out easily and is often itchy. Eczema sufferers are especially sensitive to hard water and notice an increase in breakouts and irritation if they bathe in hard water.
Hard water will also reduce the effectiveness of soaps and detergents. If you have ever washed clothes with hard water, you will notice that they just don’t appear as white as they should. Over time, whites become grays and colors fade much faster than normal. Softened water, on the other hand, allows soaps and detergents to do their job as intended and clothes will be noticeably whiter and brighter and will wear much longer.
So the bottom line is that a water softener isn’t necessary for every homeowner, but in homes with hard water, they are a definite necessity. The long term effects of hard water and the wear and tear it puts on – well everything – makes water softeners a must have for hard water. We offer water treatment systems in different locations. Whether you are looking for a water softener system in Ventura or RO systems in Oxnard, we can help. Contact us today!

Water Quality in Lompoc

Posted by Rayne Water

Water quality varies from place to place, and is mostly dependent on environmental and ecological factors. Obviously, water coming from a remote location in the mountains up in Alaska is not going to contain the same contaminates as the water supply in New York City. A water’s hardness will depend on the mineral deposits that ground water percolates through before it reaches the water supply distribution centers. The area around a watershed will determine its water quality as well; if it is surrounded by farmland, the nitrate levels will most likely be much higher or if there are industrial plants in the area, you have to look for other types of contamination.
The water in Lompoc has reports of high levels of arsenic, selenium and nitrates and is also classified as being hard. According to Sperling’s Best Places, the water quality in Lompoc only rated a 43 on a scale of 1-100, the average US water rated a 55. So what does that mean for residents? Well it simply means that there are a few water quality issues that residents need to consider treatment for.
When it comes to contaminates such as arsenic, nitrates and selenium, you need to be really careful to make sure they are filtered out of drinking water before consumption. All three can cause some serious illnesses and nitrates in particular can be especially harmful to young children. The best water filtration for these types of contaminates is a drinking water system such as our LINX Drinking Water System or a Reverse Osmosis System. Both of these have the capability to effectively filter out these contaminates and the LINX Drinking Water System can even reduce nitrates down to a non-detect level.
As far as the hard water is concerned, this is a very common problem in our area. In Santa Barbara, for example, the water measures in at about 25 grains per gallon; the water hardness scale runs from zero grains (very soft water) to 10.5 grains (very hard water). So the 25 grains per gallon is two and a half times off the scale! Fortunately, hard water has a very easy solution – installing a water softener.  Hard water might be very common, however it is not to be ignored.
The biggest issue with hard water is that it is exceptionally hard on plumbing and plumbing fixtures. Untreated hard water will not only dramatically shorten the lifespan of plumbing fixtures and other water utilizing appliances and utilities, but it will also drastically lower their efficiency as well. This translates into high maintenance costs as well as higher utility bills.
The good news, is that even though water quality in Lompoc might not be as pure as we would like, it is very treatable. Here at Rayne of Santa Barbara we are experts in treating the water quality issues in our area, so give us a call or stop on in and we will help you determine the best options in water treatment for your unique water needs.

Is a Water Softener Really Necessary?

Posted by Rayne Water

Water is one of the main utilities in our homes and it touches just about every activity we do in them. From drinking water to dishes, laundry and bathing, water is an integral part of the household. Due to this fact, if water quality is compromised, it makes a huge impact on all areas of the home. Untreated hard water can be especially tough on a home, and the only way to really alleviate it is with a water softener.
Hard water leaves mineral deposits on just about every surface it touches. It also produces a buildup of scale in plumbing systems and in water utilizing appliances, such as hot water heaters and dishwashers. Scale buildup is one of the main culprits of early appliance failure and clogged plumbing lines, which can cost a minor fortune to repair. In addition, it drastically reduces efficiency of appliances, leading to higher utility bills.
Another area where the effects of hard water are felt is in on the skin and hair. Homeowners who bathe or shower with hard water, oftentimes notice that their skin is excessively dry and itchy. In fact, many eczema suffers have much more severe outbreaks if they live in a house with hard water, and on the flip side they notice fewer and less sever outbreaks with softened water. Hard water can also leave a residue on hair which makes it appear dull and limp.
Since hard water reduces the effectiveness of soaps, there is a noticeable difference in clothes washed with hard water and those washed with softened water. Whites tend to gray much quicker and colors fade faster when washed in hard water. If a water softener is used to treat the water however, the laundry detergent can do its job as intended and clothes will appear cleaner, brighter and softer than before.
So is a water softener really necessary? Well, if your home has hard water, then we feel that it is absolutely necessary; the long term effects of hard water are just too many to ignore. Installing a water softener will not only alleviate all the negative effects of hard water, but will also provide some great benefits as well. Not only will your skin and hair be soft and shiny, but the utility and repair costs alone could almost pay for the water softener itself.