Water Softener - Not sure I did the right thing

[shenny]

Tech called me today and said I needed new guts for $280. Said the unit is 13 yrs old, which is 3/4 the life. I had him put an new system in instead. Right decision or money wasted?

[Gary Slusser]

It depends on what parts were needed to rebuild whatever. If it was the control valve, they were taking you because no control valve requires that price to be rebuilt. If a part or two on the control valve and new resiin, then I'd opt for the new softener BUT, that depends on their price for it. But then you could have bought over the internet and saved hundreds over the best price a local dealer could sell the same softener for. So it all comes down to no one can tell you without more info.

[shenny]

It depends on what parts were needed to rebuild whatever. If it was the control valve, they were taking you because no control valve requires that price to be rebuilt. If a part or two on the control valve and new resiin, then I'd opt for the new softener BUT, that depends on their price for it. But then you could have bought over the internet and saved hundreds over the best price a local dealer could sell the same softener for. So it all comes down to no one can tell you without more info.

Thanks.

I walked downstairs today to the softener and it was filled with dirty water. The water was leaking out of the over-flow. I called my repair facility. After they diagnosed the problem, they said it'd take all new guts.

Is this enough info?

Thanks again.

[Gary Slusser]

IMO they didn't do the right thing.That is a control valve or float problem in the brine tank depending if the float is used to establish the salt dose. If a control valve problem then it would normally be a Fleck control and you'd have t oreplace the brine valve or piston, seals and spacers for maybe $100 plus a service call charge. If a float maybe #30 and the service call charge.

What did they charge for the new softener?

[shenny]

IMO they didn't do the right thing.That is a control valve or float problem in the brine tank depending if the float is used to establish the salt dose. If a control valve problem then it would normally be a Fleck control and you'd have t oreplace the brine valve or piston, seals and spacers for maybe $100 plus a service call charge. If a float maybe #30 and the service call charge.

What did they charge for the new softener?

Please understand that I am the least mechanically inclined person in the world.

$980 installed for the new tank and basin.

I should not have told them not to replace it. I have a habit of jumping right into something new. You are are free to put up a jackass avatar in my honor.

Thanks for your advice.

[Marksix]

What bothers me is a "professional" technician telling a customer that the unit "Needs New Guts". Did he really say that?
If so,he needs a new line of work.

[shenny]

What bothers me is a "professional" technician telling a customer that the unit "Needs New Guts". Did he really say that?
If so,he needs a new line of work.

I said guts. He said parts. Again, I guess I am somewwhat accountable. Heck, I made the decision. I guess I should have asked him how much longer the unit would last if I got new "guts"/parts.

If I get all new parts, does that essentially get me a new unit? If it does, I really feel stupid and maybe a little bit taken.

I guess I assumed even with new parts, other things could go wrong. Sort of like replacing parts of an engine in a car, then the engine goes anyway type of thing.

I came to this board knowing that most of not all of you would know more about this field than I do, which is next to nothing.

[shenny]

I talked to the tech this morning. He re-assured me that the decision I made was the right one. He said my water is VERY hard, and that the unit I had was not really good enough to serve my needs. How I got 13 years out of it is beyond him. He said when he emptied my tank, I had 1+ ft of resins in there. He upgraded my unit and tank. He has 30+ years of exp, so I guess I am smart in yielding to knowledge.

[Gary Slusser]

Not knowing anything about the softener, like size and make of control valve, you got a decent price including installation. So enjoy the hopefully next few years of service free operation and use this experience to learn from. Next time ask what parts and why.

Gary
Quality Water Associates

[shenny]

Waterfall Systems is what it says on the tank.

[Gary Slusser]

I think you have a Fleck 5600 control valve and the softener is made by Hauge or Water Soft.

Gary
Quality Water Associates