Testing your Water Hardness

Performing the test: Dip a test strip in a water sample for 5 seconds. Remove and hold in the air for 10 seconds, do not shake.
Water2Buy Water hardness teststrips are designed to indicate the approximate water hardness level in your water. The test strips should be used within 24hrs of opening as the water vapour in the air can affect their accuracy.

 

Understanding the results

Hardness is caused by compounds of calcium and magnesium, and by a variety of other metals.
The measurement table is a simplified version of the levels of these compounds in your water.

The more purple blocks on your test strip the harder your water.
Officially anything over 60 mg/L is classified as hard water, however you may not experience negative effects in your water at this level.
Two or more purple blocks indicates your hardness level is over 120 mg/L which is classified as hard water.

 

Solving the problem is easy.

The only way to soften water is by removing the compounds that are making it hard.
The most effective method of removing these compounds is using an ion exchange water softener.

Water2buy offer 4 water softeners models W2B110, W2B200, W2B500, W2B800
All models will soften the water in your home, the main difference is how efficiently they do it.

Choose a model based on the number of people in your home.
Usually you'll need to install a water softener where the mains water enters your house.
That's normally in your kitchen under the sink or in your basement.
The location will determine the space you've available and hence the max size you can choose.

Buy the largest softener you can afford that fits these two criteria.
Larger = more efficiency, lower running costs and lifetime performance of the product.

Buy Water Hardness Test Kit


Scientific definition of hard water. Our simplified table is based on the definitions given by U.S. Geological Survey:
The official Hard water bands are:
0-60 mg/L Soft
60-120 mg/L moderately hard
120-180 mg/L hard
180+ mg/L as very hard
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/hardness-water

 

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