I've Got A Hard ...

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Well Glenn

I'd get the county, the utility or an independent lab to test your water. I have so many folks around me, we're all on wells, that swear they have hard water and put in water softeners. Can't tell them otherwise. The reason they think it's hard is because of all that white crusty buildup on the faucets etc..when in fact it's dissolved salts in the water, then they go put in a water softener and add more salt. Did they have their water tested? NO. They just see a crusty buildup that's hard and think that's what hard water is. I took samples to an independent lab and got a thorough analysis of everything and the last thing anyone around here needs is a water softener. More often than not especially in the west, well water is soft where ground and/river fed water water supplies are more than likely hard, the water having come from the mountains picking up minerals along the way.
 
Had the visitation with the sales fellow. He did another test while I watched. 10 grains hardness. Then a separate iron test - the sample supposedly turned slightly pink for positive, but I couldn't much tell. He said that adds about 1.5 grains.

He wants $3000 for a Kinetico softener system. Tried to do the hard-sell, wrote up a quote, then marked out the installation, tax, etc. I didn't fall for it, not yet. He made a point, for example, that Maytag recommends 12 tsps dishwasher detergent for 10+ grains. I countered that my dishwasher only needs 6 tsps. He was a touch flustered, LOL, but answered back that with softened water it would only need 2 tsps. Maybe, but I could buy a ****load of cleaning supplies & detergent for $3K.

He said potassium chloride can be used instead of sodium chloride for the BP concerns, but at a slightly higher consumption rate -- 3 lbs KCl per regeneration vs. 2.4 lbs NaCl -- and also slightly higher cost for the supplies. He said $20 for 40# bag of KCl, $10 NaCl. But I found 40# KCl online at Ace Hardware for $9.99.
 
Kinetico is good, if somewhat overpriced

they are headquartered here in northeastern Ohio.

Best thing about the softener in my opinion, is that since it's non-electric, it's a lot quieter than the other makes.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
Once you have soft water you will never want to go back to untreated water again. Even here, that water isn't that hard (our fresh water comes from the mountain streams-more or less rainwater), it pickes up enough hardness on the waythat I want to get a softner. I do prefer nonsoftened water for drinking though.
 
Wow, I knew Kinetico would be a high priced unit though, I've had them out here as well. Since you had previously said that you don't use that much water, one wonders if it's worth the rather sizeable investment. Perhaps a visit to Sears, Lowes or Home Depot would be a good idea, $500 sounds much better than $3K!
 
When I lived in town

I had a rental unit installed from a local water store, can't remember if it was Culligan or not. Was just easier that way, they put it in very fast and the monthly charge wasn't anything much, lucky too because it leaked at one time and they came out and replaced it right away. If I was in the market to buy one today I would definitely go out and buy a salt saver model from Sears or such, they have some sort of sensor that determines the water usage and ajusts the regeneration, better than a timer, especially if you use little water or are away a lot. Carting those bags of salt is a nuisance. $3000,,no way Jose.
 
Much as I enjoy nice things, and would like to have (indeed, need) a softener, I can't justify $3000. The fellow did say they have used (previously-owned may be the more PC terminology, LOL) systems available for half the price, so perhaps that bears investigation. I should check with the local plumbing company that did the house, they oughta have something that'd work.
 
BP and soft water

The obvious solution to the BP an sot water problem is to drink bottled water.

Seperately, you would also want the toilets to be on the non-softened line.
 

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