How to Make a Magnetic Water Softener
Hardness in water is a result of dissolved minerals, usually calcium with components of magnesium, iron and others.
Unlike other softeners, magnetic softeners do not remove or replace these minerals, but are sometimes reported to reduce the scaling effect of hard water. Magnetic softeners are relatively cheap and easy to install and have not been proved to be harmful.
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Locate the water line at a point near your home's foundation.
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Use your shovel to carefully clear an area around the incoming line (at least 6 inches clearance around the pipe when done) to allow complete access to an 8-inch or larger length of exposed pipe.
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Clean the pipe using water and sandpaper for a tight fit.
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Clamp the magnet (using straps, carriage bolts or epoxy as included with the clamp housing) tightly around the pipe.
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Refill the excavation, being careful to pack earth tightly under the pipe, so the water line is not stressed in the future.
References
Tips
- If you choose to use an electromagnet rather than a permanent magnet, add a water-resistant sealing compound around the wire connection to the magnet housing and a flexible conduit to protect the electric line.
Warnings
- Water softeners (as opposed to micro-filtration or reverse osmosis filters which also soften water) do not remove waterborne pathogens (disease-carrying organisms) or chemical contaminants from water. No softener is a replacement for water treatment.
- Even proponents of magnetic water softeners do not claim these systems remove hardness from water. Water issues related to levels of calcium or other minerals dissolved in the water will not be "cured" by a magnetic softener.
Writer Bio
Chris Donahue is an electrical engineer living in the Dallas area. He has worked on defense projects, semiconductor process equipment, instrumentation and is currently in water utilities. He earned his Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) standing in Texas in 1999.
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