Water softener or new technological pipe wrap dealy (Phoenix: how much, buying a house)

[washingtonhopeful]

So I am buying a house and it will come with some sort of water loop?! Is the water in arizona really "hard" and will get grimy stuff on the walls if you dont get a water softener or one of those new pipe wrap dealys?? does anyone know what I am talking about? lol

[rjrcm]

The "water loop" is plumbing where you can install a water softener. Since most Phoenix area water is hard, without one you will likely get calcium deposits in your plumbing, and washing will be more difficult.

HowStuffWorks "How does a water softener work?"

By "pipe wrap dealy" I assume you are asking about something like this:

Magna-Wrap Home Magnetic Water Softener

I'd be very skeptical about their efficiency as compared to a regular water softener.

[AZ bound]

Magnets cure cancer, improve circulation, soften water, and now they will magically stick to some metal surfaces.

[Zippyman]

If you want to save money on a softener, check Craigslist - a top-end softener shouldn't cost more than $1,000 new & installed - anyone charging more, or promising to "soften" water without salt is a huckster.

It isn't possible to soften without salt - unless you want to use Reverse-Osmosis. A typical household RO system can produce a couple gallons of stored water - great drinking water, but not enough to wash your clothes or dishes.

You can live without a softener in Phoenix, but be prepared to replace the cartridges in your faucets about once a year, and also prepare for a buildup of lime/calcium on your shower walls. It isn't life-threatening, it's just part of living here.

The hot ticket if you really want great tasting water is an under-sink RO.

[washingtonhopeful]

Thanks everyone. So basically I should just get a water softener instead of the magnet wrap? How often will I have to replace this water softener. How much maintenance does it need, how often does salt have to be added?

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by washingtonhopeful

Thanks everyone. So basically I should just get a water softener instead of the magnet wrap? How often will I have to replace this water softener. How much maintenance does it need, how often does salt have to be added?

Depending on how many people are in your house & how much water they use (clothes, laundry, dishes) - you'll probably end up buying a bag of salt a month.

A single person may get a couple of months out of one bag...

Maintenance is very infrequent with a good softener - let the tank run out of salt about once a year & scrub the salt tank down, usually the control head of the softener will last 10-15 years, and rebuilt ones can be had on ebay for a couple hundred bucks... the "resin" inside the softener lasts about 15 years, and is usually replaced when the control head is rebuilt... under $100 for the materials for that...

no big deal - unhook the softener, unscrew the control head off the top, dump the resin out, scrub the tank out with a (new) toilet brush taped to a broom handle - dump in gravel & resin, spin on a rebuilt control head & reconnect. If it takes an hour you weren't trying very hard.

The magnet wrap isn't going to do anything but lighten your wallet.

[unit731]

What is the best way or product to keep shower/tub clean or free from build up of such minerals?

[Zippyman]

A softener would prevent them from building up - removing them can be done with CLR or "lime-a-way".