InspectAPedia TM

Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice
InspectAPedia
Home
| Air
Conditioning
| Electrical | Environment | Exteriors | Heating | Home
Inspection
| Insulate
Ventilate
| Interiors | Mold
Inspect/Test
| Plumbing
Water
Septic
| Roofing | Structure | Contact Us
New Directory of Professionals to Inspect or Test a Building New


SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
WHAT CAN GO INTO TOILETS & DRAINS?
NEVER FLUSH INTO SEPTICS
BETTER NOT TO FLUSH
HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS
OTHER CHEMICALS
CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER
CHLORINE IN SEPTIC WASTEWATER
DISHWASHERS vs SEPTICS
DRUGS INTO the SEPTIC TANK?
GARBAGE GRINDERS vs SEPTICS
TOILET TISSUE?
WASHING MACHINES
WATER SOFTENERS
  DETECT HARD WATER
  MEASURE WATER HARDNESS
  HOW SOFTENERS WORK
  HEALTH RISKS
  SALT OR WATER INTO SEPTIC
  REDUCE IMPACT OF SOFTENER
  SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CLEANING
  OTHER SOFTENER METHODS
WATER TESTING GUIDE
WATER TESTING ADVICE
More Information

InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map
Plumbing Water Septic
Contact Us


Photo of a home water softener systemHow to Measure the Hardness Water - water mineral content test guide - Water Softener Guide.
SepticAPedia ©

Google
 
  • Water softener impact on septic systems
  • Managing salt in drinking water
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at inspect-ny.com/appointment.htm.

MEASURE WATER HARDNESS - How is Water Hardness Measured?

Water hardness is measured in "grains" per gallon, in milligrams of calcium (Ca) per liter, or parts per million, and German Degrees of Hardness (dH) [which we drop here as this is for fish tanks]. You can take a water sample to a water test lab to have its hardness measures.

Use this simple soap test to measure the grains of hardness of your water supply

But water hardness can be easily measured using a simple soap test kit that will measure in "grains of hardness" (a little bottle with a line marked on it which you fill to the line with water, add a drop of soap, and shake to look for suds. More drops of soap - more degrees of hardness).

I bought my water hardness kit at Sears where water softeners were sold. Or the hardness of your water may be measured at no charge if you ask the local water treatment company to take a look.

Beware, they won't fib about the hardness level, at least not many companies, but they do want to sell you equipment.

Water Hardness Measurements
grains/gallon ppm mg/L Softness of the Water
0-1 0-17.1 Very Soft
1-3.5 17.1 - 60 Slightly Hard
3.5 - 7.0 60 - 120 Medium Hard
7.0 - 10.5 120 - 180 Hard
> 10.50 > 180 Very Hard
NOTE: 1 German degree of hardness dH = 17.5 ppm. For fish tanks, 200-300 ppm is considered "hard", 300-500 ppm "very hard" and over 500 ppm "extremely hard" water.

 

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

WATER SOFTENERS
  DETECT HARD WATER
  MEASURE WATER HARDNESS
  HOW SOFTENERS WORK
  HEALTH RISKS
  SALT OR WATER INTO SEPTIC
  REDUCE IMPACT OF SOFTENER
  SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CLEANING
  OTHER SOFTENER METHODS


SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
WHAT CAN GO INTO TOILETS & DRAINS?
NEVER FLUSH INTO SEPTICS
BETTER NOT TO FLUSH
HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS
OTHER CHEMICALS
CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER
CHLORINE IN SEPTIC WASTEWATER
DISHWASHERS vs SEPTICS
DRUGS INTO the SEPTIC TANK?
GARBAGE GRINDERS vs SEPTICS
TOILET TISSUE?
WASHING MACHINES
WATER SOFTENERS
  MEASURE WATER HARDNESS
  HOW SOFTENERS WORK
  HEALTH RISKS
  SALT OR WATER INTO SEPTIC
  REDUCE IMPACT OF SOFTENER
  SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CLEANING
  OTHER SOFTENER METHODS
WATER TESTING
WATER TESTING ADVICE
More Information

InspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map
Air Conditioning
InspectAPedia Bookstore
Electrical
Environment
Exteriors
Heating
Home Inspection
Insulate Ventilate
Interiors
Mold Inspect/Test
Plumbing Water Septic
Roofing
Structure
Accuracy & Bias Pledge
Contact Us

More Information on Septic System Diagnosis, Maintenance, & Repair

goto InspectAPedia.com - authoritative, in-depth Building Diagnostic and Repair Information for building buyers, owners, inspectorsInspectAPedia TM Home & Site Map - Building Inspection, Diagnosis, & Repair, Environmental Inspection & Testing - Research Website

GO TO our PRE PURCHASE BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES: Authoritative information for home buyers and home owners is included with your inspection. Home Inspection Construction Consulting Services & advice for home buyers

CONTACT Daniel Friedman - Dan is a senior ASHI home inspector, nationally recognized expert on building inspection, building failures, and sick building investigation Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting

Google
 

04/17/2008 - 05/29/2006 www.inspect-ny.com/septic/Hard_Water_Measurement.htm © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman - all rights reserved