Q. What does the ScaleSafe Home system do?
A. The ScaleSafe Home system prevents mineral scale buildup in equipment such as water heaters, dishwashers, shower heads, coffee machines, ice machines and domestic water systems. It also removes existing scale over a period of time, while inhibiting corrosion.
Q. Why do I need to remove and prevent scale buildup?
A. Scale buildup on heat transfer surfaces causes metal fatigue which can result in premature equipment failure. It also acts as an insulator thereby reducing heat transfer efficiency with a resulting increase in energy consumption. The high cost of fuel alone makes it increasingly important to maintain scale free equipment systems. A 1/4″ coating of scale on a heat transfer surface can require up to 55% more energy than normal to attain the same temperature.
Q. How does the ScaleSafe Home system prevent scale buildup and remove existing scale?
A. The ScaleSafe Home system prevents scale by acting as a scale inhibitor. It distorts the almost perfect cube-like shape of the calcium molecule. This distortion prevents the formation of crystalline calcium carbonate by not allowing the calcium molecules to build up on each other. To remove scale, ScaleSafe Home simply combines with the calcium in the precipitated calcium carbonate. This combining action does two things: 1.) ScaleSafe Home slowly breaks down the crystalline matrix of the calcium carbonate allowing it to be released into suspension. 2.) ScaleSafe Home combines with calcium carbonate to form calcium phosphate which is deposited as a microfilm coating on all wetted surfaces. This coating acts as a deterrent to both scale and corrosion.
Q. How does ScaleSafe Home inhibit corrosion?
A. As previously stated, eventually all surfaces that have been wetted with ScaleSafe Home will be coated with a protective microfilm of calcium phosphate. Calcium phosphate is well known as an excellent scale and corrosion inhibitor. This microfilm coating does not increase in thickness as it is continually washed off and replaced by the flow of treated water.
Q. How long does it take to see results after installing the ScaleSafe Home system?
A. As a preventative for scale buildup, the result can be seen immediately since there will be no increase in calcium carbonate precipitate buildup. The rate of scale removal depends on water velocity, scale density and water chemistry. Generally, the process of scale removal will be evident within 30 days.
Q. Will ScaleSafe Home work on all types of water?
A. Field applications as well as laboratory tests have proven that the ScaleSafe Home system is effective on virtually all types of water, however it is always best to allow us to review a recent analysis of your water should a question arise.
Q. Is ScaleSafe Home safe to use in potable water?
A. Yes, the ScaleSafe Home material meets all ANSI, NSF 60 and USDA standards for potable water.
Q. How do I calculate the restriction rate for the ScaleSafe Home system?
A. No pressure drop, other than standard pipe friction, occurs within the ScaleSafe Home system.
Q. Is any additional equipment necessary besides the ScaleSafe Home dispenser?
A. Pre-filtration is recommended on all units. The ScaleSafe Home system is designed to work by venturi, and the venturi orifices are very small. The chance of a piece of debris clogging one or both holes is a very real possibility. A standard spin down sediment filter with a drain valve for purging sediment is sufficient. Filters can either be purchased online with the system or separately.
Q. What is the delivery time on a ScaleSafe Home system?
A. All ScaleSafe Home units will be shipped with 3 business days.
Q. Who installs the ScaleSafe Home system?
A. The purchaser is responsible for installation.
Q. How long does it take to install a ScaleSafe Home system?
A. The average installation time is less than two hours.
Q. Is the ScaleSafe Home system a filter?
A. No, the ScaleSafe Home system is a non-mechanical method of dispensing water treatment chemicals directly into a water system.
Q. Does all of the water have to flow through the ScaleSafe Home system?
A. At a minimum, we recommend all water that will be heated should be treated.
Q. What happens to the pipes and equipment once the scale is removed?
A. After scale removal, the piping system will remain clean, however, the entire system should be thoroughly inspected for leaks. In some instances, e.g. old piping, scale could have been the only thing that was preventing existing pipes, valves and tanks from leaking.
Q. What is the pressure rating on the ScaleSafe Home system?
A. ScaleSafe Home is rated at 80 psi.
Q. What maintenance is required with the ScaleSafe Home system?
A. Venturi orifices should be inspected regularly to insure that they are clear. Pre-filters should be purged on a regular basis to remove any debris buildup. Empty cartridges must be replaced when product is depleted.
Q. Does ScaleSafe Home have to be mounted in any certain direction?
A. The ScaleSafe Home dispenser head must be mounted horizontally, with the cartridge directly below the dispenser head. The system will be stamped with either an arrow or be marked “in and out” indicating the direction of flow of the water through the system. Incorrect mounting may cause the unit to overfeed resulting in excessive product use.
Q. What are the temperature limitations for the ScaleSafe system?
A. Do not exceed 85 degrees. Do not expose to freezing temperatures.
Q. Does the ScaleSafe Home system pollute the water?
A. No. One of the major benefits of the ScaleSafe Home system is that it uses no hazardous ingredients.
Q. Does the ScaleSafe Home produce soft water?
A. Technically it does not since the calcium and magnesium salts remain in the water. However, the results will be very similar to soft water because hard water problems are eliminated by the ScaleSafe Home system.
Q. When ScaleSafe Home is removing scale from the plumbing, will scale come off in large enough pieces to cause problems?
A. Generally no, the scale is dissolved as previously described and is placed into suspension so that it passes through the system unnoticed. However, in older systems and systems that have heavy existing scale buildup there is the possibility that some larger pieces of scale could be worked loose. All systems should be monitored on regular basis to prevent this type of occurrence.