Water Softener (moved from San Antonio) (Home Depot, Lowes, installation, plumber)

[sxybeast]

Hi,

I moved to my new house in Fox grove community. I love this place. Lots of kids and excellent community. I am looking for some advice about water softeners. I would like to get some suggestions. Which water softener is a good one? I have a 3 full bath home. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Coldjensens]

Kinetico - best on the market. Pricey though.

[ellen43quilt]

There are several threads regarding this issue, check them out - water softener - installation. Lots of good comparisons have been made - Kinetico and Culligan are pricey and what's most important seems to be the valve - Clack and Fleck are best for long use. Sears, Home Depot and Lowes have a reputation for poor valves. You can order a Clack online, some have suggested Quality Water Associates, but there are others, Ohio, etc. Now you will need a plumber - that's the part I am at - the estimates vary greatly, so I am hoping to hear from someone who was pleased with their plumber choice. We have to be plumbed, so we're hearing most estimates of $800.

[GregW]

Get your water tested by a good lab and not the treatment system folks. It may cost a hundred bucks or so but will be worth it. Ask the lab for a recommendation as to what treatment is necessary and how it is done. Then, if necessary, go shopping for a treatment system. As the system is going to be constantly in use and be used for a long time, first cost is less important than reliable operation.

[Gary Slusser]

I don't agree with spending $100 or more to have your water tested. If you are on city water, their water quality report tells you more than you need to know. If you are on your own well, yes, you need a few water tests like hardness, iron, pH, coliform bacteria, nitrates and sulfates, manganese, chlorides if possible. Any water treatment dealer can usually do those tests or get them done for much less than $100. Labs SELL water testing, and usually they sell more tests than you need to fix the problem with your water.

You already know there is something wrong with your water and if it is something common like hardness that you want to remove, why would a water treatment dealer have to lie to you to sell you something like a softener? Especially if you called them to find and fix whatever is wrong with your water; or shopped online for one.

You can buy home tests kits and do tests yourself, for much less than a lab will charge you.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by GregW

Get your water tested by a good lab and not the treatment system folks. It may cost a hundred bucks or so but will be worth it. Ask the lab for a recommendation as to what treatment is necessary and how it is done. Then, if necessary, go shopping for a treatment system. As the system is going to be constantly in use and be used for a long time, first cost is less important than reliable operation.

Your local heath department will give you the bottles. Then you just mail them in. Much cheaper.