You might say that, to your water softener, brine is the elixir of life – that perfect balance of water and salt that allows your appliance to transform hard water into soft. So, if your water softener is not using salt, or it’s using too much, things won’t go well. There are a number of… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Water Problems
How to Remove a Water Softener Salt Bridge
Have you noticed your water softener isn’t working as efficiently as it used to? Look inside. If you see a crusty salt buildup in the brine tank, that’s a salt bridge and it’s a common issue. Fortunately, there’s a fix for that, and you can easily do it yourself! Especially when the humidity is high… Read more »
8 Water Treatment Questions to Ask a Pro Before Buying a Water Softener
If you’re in the market for a water softener, you know the right system will greatly improve water quality throughout your household. The more you know about your options before you buy, the better the investment you will make. It pays, in every sense of the word, to ask a pro. They can answer water… Read more »
H2O FAQ: How Do Iron Filters Work?
There are a number of different water treatment processes you can use to remove unwanted chemicals. Here in Minnesota, one of the most common chemicals we want to get rid of is iron. One way to do that is by using an iron filter. Let’s look at how iron filters work and how that process… Read more »
Hard Water Problems: Tips for Limescale Removal
Ugh! One of the disadvantages of having hard water is limescale buildup in your sinks, toilets, tubs, faucets and in places you can’t see. It’s more than ugly. Limescale can reduce the efficiency of your appliances, so they don’t perform well and they wear out faster. It can even peel the chrome off faucets and clog… Read more »
3 Things Your Hairdresser Wants You to Know About Hard Water Hair
Did you know the beginning of personal hygiene dates back to prehistoric times? In fact, the earliest humans understood that water, from the lakes and rivers they lived near, had the ability to clean things, or at least rinse mud off their hands. Realizing they needed more than just water to truly clean themselves, people… Read more »
How to Test for Hard Water in Your Home
Have you noticed your shampoo doesn’t lather in the shower, your skin tends to always be itchy, and there’s soap scum buildup in the bathtub? These are all signs you may have hard water. It’s definitely annoying, and here in Minnesota, it’s a common problem. But, if you know how to test for hard water,… Read more »
Pee-Yew! Why Your Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs and How to Fix it

Have you noticed a rancid smell coming from the water in your home but you’re not sure what’s causing it? It’s likely hydrogen sulfide. Fortunately, it’s not bad for you, it just doesn’t smell very good. In fact, your water smells like rotten eggs. Pee-yew, indeed. Whether the problem exists all the time or only… Read more »
Are Nitrates in My Water?
You may have heard of nitrates in drinking water, but may not know what they are or how they affect your home’s water quality. Nitrates are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units that combine with various organic and inorganic compounds. According to the EPA, ingestion of nitrites – the conversion of nitrates taken into the body – above… Read more »
Water Quality: Arsenic in Drinking Water
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element of the Earth’s crust. It’s also a byproduct of mining, coal burning and other industries, and often ends up in drinking water supplies.