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Whether you’re cleaning, bathing, or cooking, your water is making an impact on your home and those that live in it. What kind of impact it makes, though, is determined by whether you are using hard or soft water.
When water contains dissolved magnesium and calcium, it is defined as hard water. Soft water, on the other hand, is water that is absent of these dissolved substances. The presence or absence of these two elements can have a dramatic effect on your home.
The hardness of any given water is determined by the amount of dissolved substances in it. This table, from the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (S-339) and the Water Quality Association (WQA), lists the typical measurements of hardness:
With the differences between hard and soft water established then, it’s clear to see why it should be taken into account when purchasing your heating elements. Let’s get into the pros and cons of hard water.
There is only one benefit of hard water that is worth noting, and even then, it only exists as a technicality. Drinking hard water is technically a source of magnesium and calcium in the diet. However, doing so will come nowhere close to making a dent in your dietary needs. Getting your necessary magnesium and calcium from your food will be astronomically more effective than trying to get it from your water.
Magnesium and calcium solutes have a dangerous reactive property called “scaling.” When exposed to oxygen or heat, magnesium and calcium harden into a chalky, rocky substance which coats any surface it touches. This reaction is particularly damaging in a heater, due to the long term exposure to high temperatures, and can result in something like this heating element:
As you can see, it is completely covered in rusty brown and white scaling, and half of it is covered in an even denser, chunky coating. It’s not a pretty sight. What’s worse, however, is that this singular element isn’t even the half of it. The rest of the interior of the heater was full of scaling too, both on the elements and on the walls. The whole heater was almost filled to the brim with scaling. This makes the heater far less effective and efficient, which in turn, makes it far more expensive to run day in and day out.
There are many ways to measure water hardness:
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The wordplay on “flush” and “toilet” immediately hints that the answer is toilet-related
Your prize is waiting, so don’t dare spoil it.
“Spoil it” implies things can go wrong — reinforcing the value of a high-quality toilet.
It’s where great thinkers spend their time,
This cheeky line references the common joke that men (and many people) sit on the toilet as part of a daily ritual.
As silence and scrolling clears their mind.
Connects to the modern habit of scrolling phones in private spaces.
It’s your last chance sit upon the throne,
Throne” is a well-known euphemism for a toilet.
A front-flush seat in a class of its own.
This is a direct product clue — the Toilet is specifically a front-flush design.
This bathroom beauty is what you seek
Tells you the location of the product.
A porcelain touch that’s bold and chic.
“Porcelain” confirms material of the product.
PS. each line holds a clue. Use the answer to find the egg hidden in-store to stand a chance to win weekly R1000 vouchers and get one entry towards the grand prize each week.
Cement your chance to WIN R12,329 grand prize,
Wordplay on “cement your chance” — a pun that links directly to cement the product
Lay the foundation — go big, be wise.
“Lay the foundation” refers both to starting a construction project using cement as the base
Mix it up – earn your right to brag,
This hints at the physical process of mixing cement
Then put your entry in the bag.
Mirrors “bag of cement”, keeping the riddle rooted in product-related phrasing.
A brand born local, rock solid and true,
Tells participants this is a South African brand with reliable strength, hinting at CEMZA as the brand of cement
Built for strength — that’s their claim to you.
Plain and direct — emphasises Cemza’s brand promise.
Create Everlasting Monuments, Zone Approved,
The first letter of each word spells CEMZA. It also reinforces the function of cement.
With it in hand, nothing gets moved.
The final line also emphasises the function of cement.
PS. each line holds a clue. Use the answer to find the egg hidden in-store to stand a chance to win weekly R1000 vouchers and get one entry towards the grand prize each week.
Where colour runs deep and the dog knows the way,
Hints directly at Dulux — famous for deep, rich colours and its iconic Dulux dog mascot.
This trusted name brightens homes every day.
Reinforces that it’s a well-known, reliable paint brand
Get ready to do lux with a pearly glow,
A playful wordplay on “Dulux” (“do lux”) and the Pearlglo product
Paint the town — it’s time to put on a show.
Refers to painting (the product’s purpose)
Put nose to the ground its time to explore,
This reinforces the subtle Dulux dog imagery.
Find glow that’s hidden on the see floor.
This line leads to Dulux PearlGlo paint by evoking the imagery of pearls (treasures) that glow on the seafloor
Like a smile with charm, it’s got good enamel,
This hints at Pearlglo an enamel paint without directly naming the paint type.
Smooth, tough, and tidy — no mess to unravel.
Describes the key qualities of Dulux Pearlglo
PS. each line holds a clue. Use the answer to find the egg hidden in-store to stand a chance to win weekly R1000 vouchers and get one entry towards the grand prize each week.
When the leaves start to fall, orange becomes the new pink,
References the iconic orange of the Incgo brand
Get ready — the power’s in your hands, all you have to do is think.
Suggests the tool is handheld and powerful, hinting at a portable power tool
So don’t let the Inc dry before you go,
A clever wordplay: “Inc” and “go” sounds like Ingco, the brand.
If you’re not plugged in, you will feel the blow.
“Blow” refers to the blower function of the power tool
Charge your batteries — you’re about to up your game,
This reinforces the cordless design — the tool runs on rechargeable batteries
Don’t leaf a clue behind, your ego won’t be the same.
Pun intended: “Leaf” = leaf blower
May the invisible force be with you,
This references airflow — the powerful, unseen blast created by a blower.
As you wield your tools to uncover the clues.
PS. each line holds a clue. Use the answer to find the egg hidden in-store to stand a chance to win weekly R1000 vouchers and get one entry towards the grand prize each week.
