Who has a water softener?

[ToolGuy]

I am going to install one, my water is 17.5 on the hardness scale. Who has installed one? Do you like it now that it is in? How often do you add the salt or I am sure it depends on usage? I just do not want to have to buy a bag every other month.

[vibe-04]

I live on well water and it is a near must have. I use about 3/4 of a bag a month, approx. The water is "slipperier" so I warn guests that the shower doesn't have the same grip. You don't need nearly as much soap to do your laundry. I've halved the dishwasher and laundry soap so there is come major cost savings if you calculate all the soaps in the house. Some people warn that the soft water will corrode your pipes due to the ionic difference in the water but I've never seem it. I like it and it doesn't cost too much to maintain about 9 bags a year @ 4.00 = $36.00.The biggest problem is if you are on septic. The resin bead tank run off cannot go into the septic system or it will kill the bacteria growth. Also, don't be thinking of running the bypass feature on the resin tank if you go away for a long vacation (long being more than a month). I heard that the resin beads solidify when not in use and it kills the tank $$$$$$Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_water Good luckAndrew

[ToolGuy]

Thanks for the info! I happen to be on city water in my area. And I did not realize it can cost someone as little as $36 a year to run. In compared to the coffee makers it has killed, we use bottled water for them now and the dishwasher is decades old but the heater is really caked with deposits, I am sure we will like it. I cannot change out the dishwater heater because it is that old, so I leave it alone. I also buy Muratic Acid at $8.00 for 2 gallons to clean the toilets so they work properly and the bowls stay white. I suppose it will be a selling point if we sell too one day too.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by vibe-04 »The biggest problem is if you are on septic. The resin bead tank run off cannot go into the septic system or it will kill the bacteria growth. Also, don't be thinking of running the bypass feature on the resin tank if you go away for a long vacation (long being more than a month). I heard that the resin beads solidify when not in use and it kills the tank $$$$$$That may be true with older systems, but the newer ones are septic friendly. Quote, originally posted by Culligan.com »According to the Water Quality Association (WQA), water softener regeneration discharges do not pose a problem to septic systems or to the leach field. Studies have shown that water softener regeneration wastes not only do not interfere with the septic tank system drain field soil percolation, but, actually could improve soil percolation, particularly in fine-textured soils.We have both a softener and a septic, and our home is about 28 years old. We've never had problems with the septic in regards to the softener discharges.In any case, our 3 person household costs us about a bag of softener salt a week. The tank holds about 3-4 bags, but we top it off as we go along.We buy the salt a dozen at a time. Our local supplier gives us a discount for buying by the dozen. It costs about $4.25 a bag. What systems are you looking at? We have a Culligan Soft-Minder Twin system. It was put in back in 1995 to replace our then-dead older system. We haven't had a single problem to date with it. Very reliable. It runs the regeneration/back-wash cycles based on usage, and not on time clock settings or gallon flow. Any questions, lemme know...

[ToolGuy]

Cool Mike!I am looking at GE systems and only because my local Home Depot carries them. I suppose I should try Lowes too. I already called GE to ask a question on the size and they were very helpful. I do have a Culligan water filter for the fridge and it works well, came with the house.

[ragingfish]

Personal opinion only:HOME DEPOT IS EVIL!!!!I've never had a good experience at a home depot.I only shop at lowe's.Again, just personal opinion.

[michaelgt]

The GE version is not good!! I own it, and have had problems. It has not lasted as long as my Water Boss version did. (That one had other problems.) I have both salt and iron in my hard water. The GE has a screen that you need to keep cleaning. I have had mine 4 years, and no longer works. The Water Boss lasted 9 years before it quit. I am thinking of going to a commercial rental unit. I think for the cost and lifespan, I would be further ahead.

[ToolGuy]

Thanks for the heads up on the GE michaelgt!Just went to Lowes at lunch...Lowes sells Whirlpool and have one that would fill my needs. 1-4 person, 30,000 grains & low salt indicator for $427 which I believe is $30 cheaper than the GE. 1 YR full parts & labor, 3 YR electronics and 10 on the tank.

[ragingfish]

Good feedback about the GE michaelgt...Just to mention again, we have a Culligan and it's been installed for 11 years now without a problem!

[scott_h]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »How often do you add the salt or I am sure it depends on usage? I just do not want to have to buy a bag every other month. I believe we go through about 1 bag per month - 2 adults and a 6 year old. I buy salt at Sam's Club for just over $4/bag.

[ToolGuy]

Rob thanks for the offer! I believe I found a unit, it is a Kenmore at Sears of course and it is on sale for $400. It will fill my needs and I know a guy that has one, had it for 8 years and no issues. I also feel if I need help or parts down the road I will be able to find it easily. Sears is also maybe 4 minutes from my house. And scott_h I suppose I did not realize the amount of salt the units use but it varies on usage. The salt is cheap like you mentioned so a bag a month or every other is not bad. I can get the salt downtown in my city too which is not even 2 minutes away from my house. Good luck with the finals Rob!