Pfaffenbach Water Conditioning

Water softeners work through a chemical process by ion exchange using mineral resins. Some water treatment can be complicated, and to get adequate treatment of a particular problem, may be expensive. But, if an expensive remedy is necessary, it may be more expensive if left untreated (replacing water pumps, water lines, clothes washers, dish washers -- in addition to potential health considerations).

Hard water has minerals that have accumulated through ground water, such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, etc. High calcium amounts, in time, tend to adhere to water lines and can clog the lines and faucet aerators. Some indications of hard mineral water are glassware, silverware, pots, pans spotting; streaks or spots during car washing; not having "squeeky" clean hair after shampoo use; "scum" forming from soaps and detergents, etc.

Private well water owner/users may also find they have hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg, bitter taste) present, in addition to ferrous (clear water) iron. Clear water iron creates red stains in sinks, tubs, shower stalls, toilets, and can even be embedded in clothing, and stains inside of washing machines and dish washers red. Clear water iron can also be detected after hair washing by using a white towel. Red stains on the white towel will appear while drying with the towel. The iron will actually rub off on the towel. For this problem, it will be necessary to have a specific iron filter water treatment device (unit/system), in conjunction with a water softener unit.

A water softener removes the calcium and magnesium minerals from the water and is re-charged by a process called regeneration and back washing. Softeners consist of a controller valve, mineral tank, and brine (salt) tank. The mineral tank consists of mineral resin (beads) that attracts the minerals, then discharges them from the tank, through the regeneration/backwash cycles, returning the mineral beads to its original manufactured state, for removal of future mineral intake through the system.

The brine tank contains a controlled amount of salt, or potassium, dissolved for the regeneration/backwash cycle. Potassium chloride is recommended, even if it is a few dollars more per bag. Potassium is recommended especially for those persons concerned about salt intake. And, potassium chloride is as safe, and, as effective, as sodium chloride. You may change from sodium chloride to potassium chloride at any time just by adding the potassium to the brine (salt) tank instead of the sodium chloride. It will eventually combine with the left over sodium through the regeneration/backwash cycle, eventually using only the potassium thereafter, once the salt is cycled out, through the system.

The controller valve is the "brain" of the system, as an electronic module would be in a car. It controls flow of water, and timing of cycles, during the regeneration/backwash cycles. This is an automatic process, determined by the controller computer collecting information as to daily water usage for a 7 day period, and then resetting itself, using the previous 7 days usage as an average daily usage guide. It automatically calculates in the periods of any non use of water, such as vacations, or weekends, where little or no water is used.