Hard water

[gsmurray24]

First post to the new topic, so here goes. There have been many companies advertising whole-house water softening systems in our area, and I'm told they go for $3-4k installed. My family and I are constantly using lotions to help with our dry skin. My brother, who travels a lot, says we have hard water, and swears by his water filtration system. He's got the money, I don't. But I've got the brains and the ability to install a system myself (I think). Anybody have any suggestions? Are the systems sold at Sears or HD worth the effort? We're almost out of winter here in Buffalo, so it's not so bad in the summer. But I'd appreciate any insight in what systems you might have experience with and whether a novice wannabe pro can put one in.

[dznewz]

I'm on a well with moderatly hard water (25 grains) and use a Waterboss water softener (www.waterboss.com). Cost about $500 at the big box. Works great.

[joed]

I have a sears unit. It is working fine. Sears does not make the units so you probably can get the same thing from a water softener company. Maybe at a cheaper price.

$4000 is too much. The unit itself can probably be bought betweem $400-$600.

[Wgoodrich]

I have a sears with iron problems also. My last Sears gave out after 25 years, bought a sears as a replacement. Can't give better recommendation that a reuser. Served me well. Many water softners out there will do the same thing. As mentioned the sears water softner is made by another company and sold in sears name.

Good news is Sears will test your water for you free of charge and not ask questions that hurt. Stop by your sears store. Pick up a test package. Go home be sure to run your water about 4 minutes then without shutting it off fill the test tube. Take that test tube back to sears and they will test it while you watch. They then will give you a report of hardness and iron content. Then you have guidance what you need in type water softner.

Many sales shops sell high price water softners as gimmicks but really not much better if any better than what you buy in places like sears. Called a hard sell or scare tactic type sell. $400 to $500 is a good expectation.

Read the specks on each water softner. Those specs will tell you if that softner is capable of handling the volume of water compared to hardness or iron filtration you need.

Warning, sounds like the softner will not solve your problem. Hand lotion and cracking of hands can be helped by a softner. A softner will help dry hands some but suspect you have a moisture [ambient humidity lacking in home] problem in your house if most problems are in winter. May want to install both.

Water softners are great for lengthening life expectancy of equipment and ease cleaning needs of toilets etc. because the hard water helps adhering of slime etc. to the surface of toilets, tubs, showers etc.

Hope this helps

Wg

[DUNBAR PLUMBER]

Check out this link.

http://www.kenmorewater.com/website/animations/product-animation/index.html

I too like kenmore and thier customer satisfaction techniques.


I believe the softeners are made by ecowater systems.

[mdshunk]

I have a very high iron content in my well water also. If I let a glass of water from the tap sit on the counter for 1/2 to 1 hour, the water turns bright orange from the iron. I am told that water with this high of an amount of iron will ruin the resin beads in the ion exchange columns of the water softener. Is this true? If so, what can I do to reduce the iron so that the softener won't get ruined? I currently have a chlorine injection pump to help precipitate out some of the dissolved iron. What else can I do to reduce the iron so that I can install a softener?

[dznewz]

There are iron filters. They look like a water softener but the resin is different.

Some water softeners do a reasonable job of removing iron as well. Some don't. It depends on the particular resin used.

[gsmurray24]

Well, it seems Ive started something here! Thanks to everyone for their input. Looks like I'll be stopping at Sears to pick up the water test kit. We'll see where we go from there!

[Wgoodrich]

mdshunk, many have the same problem as you. However this is a common problem that designers have worked on and have many answers to solving iron problems. First thing you need to do is perform a water test as discribed in my previous reply. This will tell you a report on just how much iron problem you have giving you a referance number of iron level of problem. Then go to the specs of the water softner system you choose. The specs will tell you just how much iron content problem each type softner can handle. If your number reference is higher than any softner specks then that manufacturer will then give you a choice of types of iron filters, iron conditioners, etc. for you to choose from recommending what you should need to be installed before you install their water softner.

Be careful, many companies will smile and jump on your iron problem as a great view of there prey for hard sales techniques to get more profits. This is why I have had a good experience with sears reps. They don't seem to pile on cost when a certain concern applies to a customer taking advantage. Many do do this Be aware of who you are dealing with.

If you have a bad iron problem the softner manufacturer may suggest a replacable filter style iron filter then also an iron conditioner then your water softner.

If your iron problem is within limits expected to be handled by a certain softner such as sears builds on a certain model they have then read the operating instructions. There is an orfice in the tube inside the water softner often will plug up due to the iron content being high but rated to handle it by the softner. Many suggest cleaning this orfice in the tube in the tank where the salt is stored montly to extend life and viability of your softner.

Your iron can be handled, just do your research and be aware of predaters out there that like to convince and gouge. They seem to be everywhere and constant changing faces too.

Good LUck

Wg