Happy Halloween!

How to add a pH filter to your Reverse-Osmosis system.

Have you thought about upgrading your Reverse-Osmosis system to include a pH filter? 

These filters are either called alkaline filters or calcite filters which virtually do the same thing - they raise the pH of your water while adding in some nutrients to your water. pH is the acidity of your water, in a later blog we will go over the science behind your pH balance. Today we are going to briefly explain how to add one of these filters to your Reverse-Osmosis systems.

In order to add a pH filter to your system just remember it should be the 5th stage of filtration - before the smallest filter on top. This may seem intimidating at first, just remember to follow the flow. The pictures below will be best to demonstrate how the setup should be. 

The first picture shows the membrane on the bottom going into the auto shut-off valve with red tubing.

The next picture shows red tubing going from the Auto Shut-off Valve to the Calcite filter. 

Remember to, "follow the flow."

The final picture to the left shows the calcite filter which connects to the polishing filter on top. Keep in mind the red tubing to the left of the Tee would go to your storage tank. You may notice that our setup uses 2 brackets to hold the Omnipure Calcite filter in place. You may need to pick up those brackets as well when you install the filter, if you don't have them no need to worry as the system will still work but we recommend the use of them.

If you pick up a Calcite filter or an Alkaline filter and need help installing it on your Reverse-Osmosis system give us a call, we'd be happy to help you out over the phone or in person. 

928-706-0546

The science of a water softener. How does it really work??

Well for starters you have to know how a water softener works.

How a water softener works is through a process called ionic exchange. Inside the water softener tank is a media called resin. When water passes through this media hard water minerals stick to the resin and leaves the water "soft". Check out one of our earlier blogs for some further information on how they work.

...well why do the hard water minerals stick to the resin?

Well this all comes down to the molecular level. When you get down to the molecular level you will hear of an ion having a particular charge in order to form a bond. In this case resin has a negative charge and the hard water minerals Calcium (CA++) and Magnesium(MA++) have a positive charge, but more importantly resin under a microscope looks like a ball of mesh. This is how the resin will catch these hard water minerals. These ions are charged such that they are drawn towards one another and the mesh of the resin aids in that as well. First the resin holds onto the sodium chloride (NA+) but once the resin comes in contact with hard water minerals, the sodium is detached and the Calcium and Magnesium are exchanged due to their more powerful positive charge. Refer to the picture below.

If you would like to have your water tested for hardness, cruise on over to our shop. We are located on 2775 Kiowa Blvd. North. Make sure to bring your water in a glass jar to get a more accurate reading. We'll even test your water on our site for free!

How does the Regeneration Cycle work?

If you have a water softener system then you've probably heard about the regeneration cycle. One common question we get all the time here at PB&J Water is how does it work?

...when does the water softener regenerate?

In our last blog we discussed how a water softener would need to regenerate after 11 days in relation to the grain rating. However a water softener regenerates after gallons used which is usually 800 gallons with a standard system. So if 800 gallons have been used then the system will regenerate at 2am. So if you continue to use water after 11 days and your system hasn't regenerated then you wouldn't get "soft" water anymore because the resin already has hard water minerals bonded to it. That's why it would NEED to regenerate to prolong the life of the resin and to ensure your house is getting soft water.

Today we will briefly discuss the Regeneration cycle, the different steps, and what they do.

Cycles of the regeneration process

Backwash/Rinse (10 minutes)

• The softener changes the flow of water by pushing water down the distributor and this forces the water up through the media and out to the drain line.
• Dirt and sediment also get removed during this process.

Brine Rinse (60 minutes)

• This is when the salt is added to the resin tank where it will stay until the next regeneration.
• The salty water is drawn out of the bottom of the brine tank to the resin tank. Once this water washes over the resin this is when the ionic exchange happens. Once the salty water comes in contact with the resin, the hard water mineral is let go in place of the salt due to the salt having a slightly positive charge. The minerals are then washed down to the distributor through the tube in the middle and out through the drain line. This step could also be referred to as the recharge cycle.

Rapid Rinse (6-8 minutes)

• Water washes the resin to remove excess salt but leaves enough for the softener to be in service. 

Settle Rinse (5 minutes)

• During this step the mineral bed is repacked to ensure proper flow during operation.

Brine Refill (6-8 minutes)

• This is the last step in the regeneration cycle. The brine tank gets refilled with water for the next regeneration cycle, then you are back in service.

If you have any questions regarding your water softener give us a call at 928-706-0546 and we would be happy to answer them for you. Also remember to pick up softener salt at our location if your getting pretty low, in fact we could even deliver it to your address!

Thanks for reading! Next time we will go over the science of a water softener system so stay tuned!

The dangers of having your Water Softener outside!

            Water softeners provide a service almost immeasurable to your homes fixtures, your clothing, your skin and your dishes. These systems protect your investment. So why not be nice to them?
            A water softener system is most commonly installed in your garage however, there are times when the system has to be installed outside due to your plumbing. In mild climates as well as harsher climates this would still be a danger to your system especially if the sun is shinning directly on it. The sun and heat can dry rot your salt tank and can cause your salt to bridge. The salt in your tank will form together making a bridge above your water, which will make your softener not absorb the salty water necessary for the regeneration process.
          Having your system outside can cause your resin tank to warp and potentially cause a leak from where the meter head is connected to the resin tank. A water softener can last up to 10 years if you treat it right. Placing your system in an area where the sun is not directly on it ensures the life of your water softener.
         Remember this when purchasing a system to be installed, you might need a plumber to reroute your plumbing from outside to the garage. Another idea is to build an enclosure for your system if it is outside.
         If your thinking about protecting your investment consider purchasing a water softener, we could even install one for you. If you currently have a water softener system that needs service give us a call! We'd be happy to answer any questions you have as well.

Stay hydrated this summer!

As you all may know around this time of year the weather warms up a bit. Did you know that when the temperature grows, your water consumption needs grow too?

According to The Mayo Clinic, on a normal day with bearable temperatures; the average person needs to consume between 2 to 3 liters of water a day, that translates to 8 to 12 cups of water. If you run and it's warm outside your body tends to cool you down by sweating, this sweat will cause your body to dehydrate much faster and can increase your water consumption needs.

"...if I drink 8 glasses of water a day, I'm fine right?.."

This can be somewhat of a myth depending on how you consume your water. For example if you rapidly consume water when you haven't been drinking water all day this can shock your body into what is called: water toxicity or water intoxication. Another way this quote can be a myth is if you drink 3 cups of water and then run a marathon or work out at the gym, depending on how much you weigh and how hot it is outside, you would need more than 5 cups of water for the rest of the day.

Remember this as the temperature warms up so you can stay hydrated, healthy, and happy. If the taste of your water keeps you from drinking from home; call us about a Reverse-Osmosis system, we could even install one for you.

Catch us at Rockabilly this year!

This weekend through Sunday is the Rockabilly Reunion. Bring your family on down and listen to some live music. There will be vendors with food and refreshments so your covered. We will be there.

We'll even have a booth set up! Here's when:

Friday: 11am to 8pm
Saturday: 10am to 8pm
Sunday: 10am to 7pm

In fact our name will be on the second stage. Last year we even had a raffle which was a huge hit. People won complete Reverse-Osmosis systems, and Water Softener systems from a wheel which people were allowed to spin. We are bringing back the spinning wheel, so stop by to win some cool prizes. We will be selling ice cold bottled water in which the proceeds will go towards the Clothe-A-Child charity.

Check out the Rockabilly Reunion website for more information on vendors and celebrity performances.

Benefits of adding an Alkaline filter

Have you heard the buzz about Alkaline water?

Alkaline water has many benefits when you drink it. In short Alkaline water can benefit you greater than the water from your tap, and especially from bottled water. There are common misconceptions about Alkaline water however. 

Alkaline water can be created naturally and artificially. A natural way to produce Alkalinity in water is water running down a stream or mineral bed. The best way to know if Alkaline water is natural is if it's created without the use of electricity such as a Water Ionizer. Water Ionizers for one: are expensive and two; create artificial alkalinity in your water by electrically charging the water to change the pH. This is bad because Water Ionizers don't typically remove harmful contaminates from your water, and water created in such an artificial way can be bad for your body. This can trick your body into to thinking there's Alkalinity in your blood stream when there isn't.

One way to create Alkalinity in your water without the use of electricity is with an Alkaline filter, more importantly if it's added on to a Reverse-Osmosis system. A Reverse-Osmosis system removes harmful contaminates from your water, adding a re-mineralizing filter such as an Alkaline filter can add minerals and increase the pH of your water making it less acidic. In our recent blogs we briefly discussed 6 Stage RO systems, adding one of these filters to your 5 Stage system creates one.

Why would I get an RO with an Alkaline Filter when I could buy bottled Alkaline Water?

The issue with bottled water in general is the plastic can cause the water to be more acidic. So if bottled water claims to be Alkaline with a pH of 7.5, the water is probably around 6 due to the plastic. Aside from the issues with more acidity it's more expensive. Even adding an Alkaline filter to a 5 Stage Reverse-Osmosis is still pennies per gallon for better drinking water.

Call now to pick one up from PB&J Water,

we could even install it for you.

Find out more about our 5 Stage RO systems here

What does a Reverse-Osmosis remove?

 

There are many variations of Reverse-Osmosis systems 

out there including all-in-ones all the way to 5 Stage 

and even 6 Stage systems.

When it comes to choosing a system the most

important part is the membrane.

Previously on our blog we discussed the

filters involved in a typical 5 Stage system

which are: Sediment, 2 Carbon, Membrane,

and last but not least is the Post Filter - for better taste.

What elements are rejected from a Reverse-Osmosis system?

Below you'll see a chart composed of a list of elements that are rejected 

from a Reverse-Osmosis system.

If you have any questions about water filtration 

and want a Reverse-Osmosis system give us a call,

 we could even install one for you.

Do you know the TDS of your water?

What is TDS?

TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids. Total Dissolved Solids are the total amount of charged ions, including minerals, salts or metals dissolved in water. TDS is illustrated using a measurement which is Parts Per Million or, "PPM." TDS can affect anything that consumes, lives in or uses water. TDS can even affect fish, plants, and the plumbing in your house. Water with high TDS can have a bitter metallic taste that can also be less hydrating. This can also interfere with the taste of your favorite foods such as soups and brewed drinks, such as Tea and Coffee. If your concerned about the quality of your water then the TDS needs to be tested.

How do you test the TDS in your water?

There are many tools to test the TDS in your water,
including water test kits, TDS meters, testing strips et cetera.
Here at PB&J Water
we use a handy device called the TDS EZ.

                                          

Using a TDS meter is easier than you think, follow these easy steps to test your water.

1. Remove the protective cap.

2. Turn the TDS meter on.

3. Immerse the meter into the water/solution up to the max immersion level.

4. Lightly stir the meter to dislodge any air bubbles.

5. Wait until the display stabilizes. Once the reading stabilizes (approximately 10 seconds),

    press the HOLD button to view the reading out of the water.

6. If the meter displays a flashing "x10" symbol, multiply the reading by 10.

7. After usage, shake off any excess water from your meter. Replace the cap. 

So what are common levels of TDS in water?

Below is a chart that illustrates common levels of Total Dissolved Solids.

If your concerned about the quality of your water, 

stop by PB&J Water sometime 

with a sample from your sink and we'll test it for you. 

Make sure to bring it in a glass jar, 

as plastic can compromise the true TDS of your water. 

Our shop is located at 

1921 West Acoma Blvd unit #102

The benefits of using a Flowlok leak Detector!

Have you ever had a leak associated with your Reverse-Osmosis system. 

We all know that a water leak can lead to thousands of dollars in damage. 

Hydronix developed a tray to fit underneath your system 

in hopes to stop the flow of water if any leaks occur. 

How does it work?

Once the Flowlok tray is installed below your system, 

a line connects to a device within the tray. 

This device has a compressed disc that when it absorbs water, 

it expands - tripping a switch to turn off the Reverse-Osmosis.

It's an add-on to your system that's a small price, for peace of mind.

Stop by PB&J Water sometime and pick one up, 

we could even install it for you. 

Give us a call 928-706-0546

Video Demonstration