Total hardness and water quality

Most adults have learned that water can be soft or hard. They have learned, too, that there is a connection between total hardness and water quality. Hard water reduces the power of your soap. In fact, hard water is often detected by noting the amount of soap required to form lather. Hard water may build up in hot water pipes and appliances, producing scale.

Hard Water Defined

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved calcium, magnesium, and other mineral salts such as iron. The greater the amount of dissolved minerals in the water, the harder it is.

Total hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per million (ppm). If water contains less than 3.5 gpg, it is considered soft water. If it contains more than 7 gpg, it is considered hard water. The American Society of Engineers' water hardness classification table breaks it down this way.

* Soft: 0 to 3.5 gpg – 0 to 60 ppm

* Moderate: 3.6 to 7 gpg – 61 to 120 ppm

* Hard: 7.1 to 10.5 gpg – 121 to 180 ppm

* Very Hard: More than 10.5 gpg – more than 180 ppm

Making the Connection

Total hardness and water quality are connected. Hard water is safe for drinking, cooking, and other household uses, but it can cause problems.

One way in which total hardness and water quality are connected is the effect of such water on household plumbing. Total hardness means a build-up of scales inside pipes, especially those carrying hot water.

Total hardness and water quality are also connected in their effect on appliances that use water. Dishwashers and washing machines can decrease in cleaning and laundering ability. Water heaters can become less efficient. Refrigerators that dispense water can become clogged.

Aesthetically, total hardness and water quality are connected in those white, chalky deposits that accumulate on tubs, sinks, and cookware.

U. S. Water Quality

According to the 1997 National Water Quality Survey, 1 of 5 people surveyed in the U. S. is dissatisfied with the water quality in his or her home. This is related to the fact given by the U. S. Geological Survey: that 85 percent of the U. S. has hard water. Many people install water softeners in their homes to improve water quality.

Determining Water Quality

You can have your water quality tested if you are moving into a new area or a new home. If you have been living in the same home for a while, you will know if your water is hard by looking for these 7 signs:

1. You have difficulty working up lather from a bar of soap.

2. Your soaps and detergents don't seem to clean well – you have dingy laundry in spite of your efforts to get it clean.

3. In the shower or bath, your soap leaves a film on your body and hair – you have dry skin and dull, limp hair.

4. You have to battle soap scum on bathtubs, shower tiles and doors, basins, and fixtures.

5. You see an increasing buildup of scale on your cookware such as tea kettle, coffee maker, and pasta pot. Your plumbing also contains scale.

6. Clogged pipes or appliances mean that water flow is reduced.

7. Your water heating costs are increasing due to scale buildup and mineral deposits, and you have to replace hot water heating elements more often.

Improving Water Quality

Treatment can improve water quality. You may use electromagnetic water conditioners, water filters, or water softeners.

Electromagnetic water conditioners improve water quality by sending water through a magnetic field. As the water passes between the magnets, its calcium and magnesium ions lose their scale-causing properties. Studies show that this relatively new invention does not technically soften water, but water quality is improved in that it no longer causes buildup of scales. Clothing also lasts longer, which is a definite increase in water quality.

Water filters are a second option for improving water quality, especially drinking water. Water filters can provide healthy drinking water by removing chlorine and other contaminants contained in water. Water filters can soften water, but they will not prevent scale buildup in pipes and water heaters.

Water softeners are a common way of improving water quality, and come in two types: chemical and mechanical. The water produced by chemical water softeners is not acceptable drinking water. Packaged chemicals are added directly to improve water quality in laundering and bathing, and are effective both in protecting clothing and guarding against dry skin and hair. Mechanical water softeners installed in your home will replace dissolved calcium and magnesium salts with sodium. This water is also not acceptable for drinking, especially by those who have hypertension. The water quality is greatly improved, however, for other uses. Lime scale is prevented; water heaters function efficiently; and laundered clothing is both cleaner and longer-lasting.

Soft Water

On the other end of the spectrum, total hardness and water quality are a benefit when that hardness level is below 3.5 gpg or 60 ppm. Soft water allows you to use less shampoo and soap, yet have shinier hair and softer skin. Soft water requires less soap or detergent in shower, laundry, kitchen, and household cleaning chores. It helps close look cleaner and last longer. It keeps water-using appliances and plumbing from wearing out as fast. Soft water keeps dishes and eating utensils spot-free, and extends the life of tea kettles and other cookware. Soft water reduces cleaning time by eliminating soap scum and buildup of scales.

Total hardness and water quality are closely connected, and you may find it worthwhile to use a water treatment system to improve your water quality – especially your drinking water.

Wedding loans- specialized loans for special weddings

“Marriage is an athenic weaving together of families, of two souls with their individual fates and destinies, of time and eternity--everyday life married to the timeless mysteries of the soul”

This is how Thomas Moore describes the word wedding. Your perceptions about wedding may be similar or different to the one held by Thomas Moore. For some, wedding may mean a time for celebration, as they will be marrying the person they have chosen. You would definitely wish to celebrate it in the best possible manner filled with pomp and show.

Wedding is the biggest day of your life. You want the day to be perfect. Earlier, the parents used to bear the entire expenses of their children’s marriage. However, time has changed, now more and more couples are themselves taking up this task. Couples who are earning may not have enough savings to finance their wedding. Wedding loans can help you find the funds you have been looking for to finance wedding.

Wedding loan is a specialised loan that aims to cater to the borrowers who need finance for organising weddings or meeting payments of a wedding already held. Wedding loan works as a wedding financer, it offers fixed sum to borrowers to meet their wedding expenses. Majority of the couples incur expenses on wedding photography, wedding dress and bridal wear, reception, wedding cake etc.

Wedding loans give you the option to borrow either a secured or an unsecured wedding loan. A secured wedding loan requires a borrower to put a collateral such as car, house or savings account against the loan. Unsecured wedding loan is not secured by any collateral of the borrower. Unsecured wedding loan offers borrowers to borrow as low as Ј250 to a maximum of Ј25,000. Unsecured loan is best suited for tenants who do not have any collateral to put as a security. Homeowners can enjoy the benefits of both secured and unsecured wedding loan. Couple can use the money for whatever they choose.

Wedding planning is an important aspect you need to focus on before you decide which loan to take. You can enlist the help of any friends and family members to assist you with wedding planning. It will be helpful if you do wedding planning well ahead of the wedding day. Planning a wedding can help you in determining what expenses will be incurred.

The repayment period of a wedding loan is spread over a period of 5 to 10 years that makes it easier for borrowers to repay the loan. Planning for the repayment term with the wedding plan can be helpful. Wedding loan offers various repayment options. You can choose the one that you find the most appropriate and suitable. Keep the wedding expenses in control, as you have to bear the loan burden on your own.

Applying for a wedding loan online is the most convenient option available. Taking an online loan can help saving both the time and efforts of the borrower. You are just required to fill up a simple and short application form online. Online lenders will provide you with the loan decision within 24 hours or take a maximum of 72 hours. When shopping for a loan, always judge it by the total cost of the loan and not just the monthly payment. Collect various loan quotes from various lenders, which are available free of cost or for nominal fees. Make a thorough comparison between the various loan quotes and choose the one that you find most suitable matching your expectations and needs. Be sure to read contracts carefully, and be certain that you understand the terms. It become easier to get a loan when you have a good credit score. However, people with bad credit history can also get a wedding loan.

Wedding loans accompanied with a bit of innovative thinking, creativity and effort can help you make exquisite weddings, which remains talk of the town for the next few weeks!

How to plan your wedding

It's the big one. You want it to be right. You want everything to go smoothly. You want to remember it fondly…forever.

Something like that doesn't just happen. You have to dedicate time, effort and energy to create the perfect wedding. You can do it, but make sure you give yourselves enough time—and money!—to create the most memorable, beautiful, perfect wedding for each of you. After all, the memory will last a lifetime!

A year is the usual amount of time recommended to accomplish this. The budget is whatever you two decide upon, remembering that you do have a year to put aside money from time to time.

Use the checklist below as a guide for your perfect wedding. The items are listed in order, so that the first ones should be accomplished right away.

1-Church or Civil Wedding?

If it's a church wedding, talk to the appropriate church officials as soon as possible. There are lots of details to go through just to get this part right. Be patient! It'll be worth it!

2-The Reception

This may take a long time to arrange, so start arranging it right away. Talk to different caterers and go see the possible venues. Gather all the costs and information you can!

3-The Dress

If you haven't got a theme yet for your wedding, you may want to fix on one at this point. A Renaissance theme, for example, is a popular one, and it makes all your decisions easier, such as the type of Dress—and tux!

4-The Pictures

Some of the best wedding photographers book over a year in advance, so get right on it!

5-The Flowers

They can be as meaningful as you want. Set aside some time to research the meaning of flowers, as well as the cost.

6-The Rings

No single wedding-related objects are as important. Spend the time and money you must to get the rings that will express your love for a lifetime.

7-The Invitations

The guest list can make or break a wedding and reception celebration. Take your time on this one!

8-The Honeymoon

You can dream about it throughout the year, but at some point you will have to decide. Make it a place you both are crazy about, then book it!

If you've gotten this far, the rest is only logic. Follow through, and it'll be a piece of (many-tiered?) cake!

Don t get married without it

It is true that weddings are wonderful affairs; proper preparation requires a great deal of down-to-earth paperwork. The written contracts with all the vendors you take into service to carry out the biggest day of your life. Contracts are legal documents that define specific terms and conditions of the service to be done, keeping misunderstandings to an absolute minimum. A properly prepared contract should protect you and the vendor you hire.

Most commonly wedding vendors provide you with formal contracts that may have been drawn up by an attorney. Contracts are not fun to read, and may be difficult to understand. You can pay an attorney to help you understand it, or you can spend the time to decipher it yourself. It is your responsibility to understand everything included in the contract. If you are unsure of something is included in the contract have it appended. If there are several things you are concerned about, you may need to append a detailed list of important points.

Most importantly include the exact date of the wedding day. The exact time of you event must also be included. Many reception sites have multiple events, even multiple weddings on the same day. The total cost and itemized rundown of what is included in the prices is important to avoid last minute surprises and expenses. You may assume certain accessories are part of the price until you are told on the big day that it costs extra.

Make sure that accessories such as tables, chairs linens, etc. are included in the price.

What specific decoration is included? What areas are decorated? If you agreed on specific colors, be sure to include it in as much detail as you can.

Insist on including the date and dollar amount of your deposit and the date of when the total amount is due. Include the exact address of the venue. You don’t want to send out invitations without having the exact address in writing. If the company has multiple rooms for events, make sure the name of the room is included in the contract.

Make sure you understand the cancellation and refund policy of the venue. You have to understand you options in case you must change the date or change the venue altogether.

You should be provided with name and phone number of the emergency contact person.

Room capacity, to make sure the site is big enough to accommodate your wedding party.

Contracts are a serious matter, and they require careful attention. They are legal and binding, so you might want an attorney or a wedding professional review it for you before you sign it. You may save a lot of money by investing a little in some professional help. Before signing the contract read it over carefully. Don’t allow it to be rushed into signing the contract until you have understood it entirely.

Never pay the entire amount in advance, but many companies will ask you to pay half of the total amount upon closure of the contract. Others may ask only for a down payment. Be prepared to pay with cash or a personal check, and always get a receipt. To protect yourself, try to pay with a credit card. When reading the contract and before signing, find out what your obligations are. If you guests drink a bit too much, find out who would be responsible should anything happen. Make sure the place is insured; get detailed information about their coverage.

Once you made your decision, you have to receive a written contract signed and dated by the person in charge. The contract must include all of your responsibilities and all of the responsibilities, warranties and guarantees offered by the venue.