Exactly What Do Grains In Water Softeners Mean? 

If you’re in the market for a water softener, you may have come across the term “grains.” In the context of water softening, grains refer to a unit of measurement for water hardness. In this article, we will explore what grains in water softeners mean and why they are important. 

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What Are Grains? 

Grains are a unit of measurement for water hardness. One grain is equal to 1/7,000th of a pound of minerals per gallon of water. Water hardness is typically measured in terms of grains per gallon (GPG). For example, if a water test indicates that your water contains 10 grains per gallon of hardness, that means that there are 10 units of hardness minerals per gallon of water. 

Why Are Grains Important in Water Softening? 

Water softeners are designed to remove hard minerals from the water supply. The capacity of a water softener is typically measured in terms of the number of grains it can remove before it needs to be regenerated. For example, if you have a water softener with a capacity of 40,000 grains, that means it can remove 40,000 grains of hardness before it needs to be regenerated. 

It is important to know the hardness of your water so that you can choose the right water softener for your needs. If you choose a water softener that is too small for your needs, it may not be able to remove enough hardness minerals to provide the desired level of water softness. On the other hand, if you choose a water softener that is too large for your needs, you may be wasting money on equipment that is larger than necessary. 

How Do You Measure Grains in Water? 

The hardness of water can be measured using a water test kit or by sending a water sample to a laboratory for analysis. Water test kits are available at most home improvement stores and are relatively easy to use. The kit typically includes a test strip or vial that is dipped into the water sample. The color of the strip or vial is then compared to a chart to determine the hardness of the water in grains per gallon. 

If you want a more accurate measurement of water hardness, you can send a water sample to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will analyze the water for various minerals, including calcium and magnesium, which are the primary minerals that contribute to water hardness. The results will typically be provided in terms of grains per gallon. 

Conclusion 

Grains are a unit of measurement for water hardness and are an important consideration when choosing a water softener. Knowing the hardness of your water can help you choose the right water softener for your needs and ensure that you have soft water throughout your home. Whether you choose to use a water test kit or send a water sample to a laboratory for analysis, understanding the grains in your water supply is an important step in maintaining good water quality.