Water Softener/Humidifier

[4VR4CY]

Has anyone had a water softener installed? We are thinking of getting one and need recs for what kind and who to call for installation.

Thinking of getting a humidifier installed on our heater too, if anyone has any suggestions on that.

 

[HILLCYD]

Information will be drilled into your brain 500 times from 2-4pm on KXNO this afternoon and every afternoon.

 

[brianhos]

Soft water sucks, it makes your skin feel all slimey. I hate when I go to a hotel that has soft water, and you just do not feel like you are getting clean.

 

[DaddyMac]

Soft water sucks, it makes your skin feel all slimey. I hate when I go to a hotel that has soft water, and you just do not feel like you are getting clean.

I've got used to it. But my wife hates it as well.

Regardless - softer water is better for your plumbing and appliances. WDM has rather hard water and has been causing me some headaches with some fixtures that are only a few years old.

 

[4VR4CY]

Soft water sucks, it makes your skin feel all slimey. I hate when I go to a hotel that has soft water, and you just do not feel like you are getting clean.

It is a lot better for your clothing, pipes, etc, etc, etc.

I grew up with soft water and love it.... I guess it is what you are used to.

 

[4429 mcc]

WDM has rather hard water and has been causing me some headaches with some fixtures that are only a few years old.

Johnston may have the worst hard water...was the only thing I hated while living there.

 

[pulse]

It is a lot better for your clothing, pipes, etc, etc, etc.

I grew up with soft water and love it.... I guess it is what you are used to.

I'd be interested too if anyone has any experience with this... anyone.... Bueller...

 

[4VR4CY]

Laundering
Clothes washed in hard water often look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy. The hardness minerals combine with some soils to form insoluble salts, making them difficult to remove. Soil on clothes can introduce even more hardness minerals into the wash water. Continuous laundering in hard water can damage fibers and shorten the life of clothes by up to 40 percent.


Bathing
Bathing with soap in hard water leaves a film of sticky soap curd on the skin. The film may prevent removal of soil and bacteria. Soap curd interferes with the return of skin to its normal, slightly acid condition, and may lead to irritation. Soap curd on hair may make it dull, lifeless and difficult to manage.


Dishwashers
When washing dishes, especially in a dishwasher, hard water may cause spotting and filming on your crockery. The minerals from hard water are released faster when it comes into contact with heat, causing an increase in the amount of spotting and filming that occurs. This problem is not a health risk, but it can be a nuisance to clean and reduce the quality of your crockery.


Problems in Water Boiler Systems and Pipework
Hard water also contributes to inefficient and costly operation of water-using appliances. Heated hard water forms a scale of calcium and magnesium minerals (limescale deposits) that can contribute to the inefficient operation or failure of water-using appliances. Pipes can become clogged with scale that reduces water flow and ultimately requires pipe replacement. Limescale has been known to increase energy bills by up to 25%

 

[pulse]

Sorry, I meant your original questions. :smile: About water softeners and humidifiers.

 

[jdolson]

We installed a water conditioner/softner in our home a few years ago. It was pricey, but our water was BAD. We use alot less laundry and dish soap. We also noticed our clothing is lasting longer and the colors are staying brighter! We installed a Rainsoft system. It also provided better drinking water. It uses both salt pellets or blocks along with the filtration system. We found that using blocks is cheaper, due to going to the local Co-Op and buying them there. I know my wife and daughters can tell when the salt has run out!:realmad:

 

[4VR4CY]

Sorry, I meant your original questions. :smile: About water softeners and humidifiers.

Ah, sorry.

 

[CYVADER]

We installed a water conditioner/softner in our home a few years ago. It was pricey, but our water was BAD. We use alot less laundry and dish soap. We also noticed our clothing is lasting longer and the colors are staying brighter! We installed a Rainsoft system. It also provided better drinking water. It uses both salt pellets or blocks along with the filtration system. We found that using blocks is cheaper, due to going to the local Co-Op and buying them there. I know my wife and daughters can tell when the salt has run out!:realmad:

i got the same system and love it. drinking water is where i notice it most, but also found myself using less soap in laundry and dishes. was a spendy unit, but i think it was worth it. also, some places do rent normal water softeners for like 10 bucks a month. might be something for you to look into. nice to not have to worry about maintenence.

 

[chadm]

Here is an archived thread on water softners.

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/cf-archive/10627-water-softener-advice.html

 

[psycln11]

Has anyone had a water softener installed? We are thinking of getting one and need recs for what kind and who to call for installation.

Thinking of getting a humidifier installed on our heater too, if anyone has any suggestions on that.

As previously mentioned...Jon Miller had one installed on his house. Go ahead and call his show this afternoon. :yes:

 

[cyeah]

Soft water sucks, it makes your skin feel all slimey. I hate when I go to a hotel that has soft water, and you just do not feel like you are getting clean.

That feeling is because all of the soap scum is actually rinsed off. The "stickiness" of hard water results from not being completely clean.

 

[herbicide]

If you can do it yourself, you can get one a Home cHeapo, Lowes, Menards, etc. for probably around $300 or so. They really aren't too hard to install, they just need 'spliced' into your water supply line and plugged in. If you can't do it, bribe someone you know with pizza and beer who can, or buy one yourself and hire a plumber to install. It should take them less than an hour.

If you use your outdoor spigots a lot, consider having the softener bypass those.

Most of the places that will do it "professionally" overcharge by a boatload.

Their benefits are many. No more scale in the shower/tub and door. Water heaters, dishwashers, faucets, etc. last so much longer with them. Easily orth the investment and the few bucks a month in salt.

 

[cyadict]

We finally got tired of spending money on filters for the small room humidifiers and spent the money and had one installed last year. You will really notice the difference. I suggest you spend the money and get one..you will be happy with the purchase.

 

[herbicide]

We installed a water conditioner/softner in our home a few years ago. It was pricey, but our water was BAD. We use alot less laundry and dish soap. We also noticed our clothing is lasting longer and the colors are staying brighter! We installed a Rainsoft system. It also provided better drinking water. It uses both salt pellets or blocks along with the filtration system. We found that using blocks is cheaper, due to going to the local Co-Op and buying them there. I know my wife and daughters can tell when the salt has run out!:realmad:

Try to avoid running out of salt if at all possible. I've been told these things practically last forever as long as you don't run them out of salt.

 

[4VR4CY]

We finally got tired of spending money on filters for the small room humidifiers and spent the money and had one installed last year. You will really notice the difference. I suggest you spend the money and get one..you will be happy with the purchase.

Who installed yours?

 

[4VR4CY]

I did see that Sears has them and installs them. Does anyone have consumer reports online to look up the best water softeners?