Water Softener

[CYdTracked]

Tried to search for any old threads on this and didn't find anything. Anyone here have any advice on what to look for in purchasing a water softener? What's the big difference between the number of grains or is a salt free one worth looking at? Grimes water is getting pretty bad lately and I can see why the previous owner had one installed (they took it with them though) and noticing within the last few months our glassware and our baby bottles are all cloudy now. Never thought I would say that I miss the Des Moines water but lived there for nearly 10 years with the same set of dishes and never had this problem. Grimes reported their last hardness test was 300 and what I have read anything over 180 is considered very hard. One person even commented on their Facebook page they had their water tested a few months ago and it was 600 for hardness so they obviously have a problem with the water quality right now.

Already have a buddy who is a plumber who can install it, thinking of putting a whole house water filter in at the same time too. He says the ones he installs the water tastes just as good as if you bought one of the expensive filter systems such as Brita.

 

[Turn2]

Kinetico. Installed a system in 2 different homes before Ankeny.

 

[Acylum]

I have a Hellenbrand water softener and after this one I wouldn't buy anything else. I also have a whole house water filter plumbed that so everything coming in from the street is filtered, including the hose bibbs outside. Hellenbrand is a little on the pricey side, but worth it IMO.

 

[CYdTracked]

Kinetico. Installed a system in 2 different homes before Ankeny.

What did that run for the equipment and install? I'm looking more towards buying the softener from somewhere since something that that I'm guessing is going to run more than I would like to spend

 

[ripvdub]

I have a water softener, just need to get it installed.

The only problem is the washer hoses outside would be on the same line and I don't want to turn it off every time I eager the yard.

Anyone know how much it'd bd to install by a plumber?

 

[Turn2]

What did that run for the equipment and install? I'm looking more towards buying the softener from somewhere since something that that I'm guessing is going to run more than I would like to spend

The initial cost is high, but will last longer than several of the big box store units you're thinking about. There are other benefits as well. In Tiffin, IA and Peoria, IL the water was bad enough to warrant the cost. The reverse osmosis drinking water system was top-notch as well. I would check the local distributor for an estimate and see what you think. Cost will depend on a water test and the capacity you need, so... The distributor should have an awareness of Grimes water though.

 

[TurdFerguson]

Also live in grimes and have also noticed this "powdery film" on our dishes after running them through the dish washer the last few weeks. Cant even scrub it off afterwards and ruined some of our nice pots and pans. We thought our cascade packs were just old so we switched to gel detergent and jet dry. Seemed to have helped, but still a little residue left.

 

[FarminCy]

Crazy timing on this. My water softener just crapped out on me. It was a 19 year old Culligan that they don't make parts for any more.

Local plumbing company is going to be installing a Water Right system next week. No experience but about a grand less than new Culligan system and another buddy that is a plumber in Minnesota recommends them. I'm going with a carbon filter inside the resin tank as well to get rid of chlorine taste etc. Looking at a whole house filtration system as well but will most likely end up running an RO system to kitchen sink for drinking water.

But 300 is insane for city water. Can't even imagine how fast the calcium would build up with that. Ours tested 7 and I noticed it building up which made us realize out softener was dead.

 

[kingcy]

I put this on in a few years ago and it works very well.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_416874-4335...l=1&currentURL=?Ntt=water+softeners&facetInfo=

 

[CYdTracked]

Also live in grimes and have also noticed this "powdery film" on our dishes after running them through the dish washer the last few weeks. Cant even scrub it off afterwards and ruined some of our nice pots and pans. We thought our cascade packs were just old so we switched to gel detergent and jet dry. Seemed to have helped, but still a little residue left.

We're going to try Lemi Shine detergent booster on ours as have seen some people say that helps with the hard water. Already replaced a bunch of baby bottles that got too cloudy looking

 

[Stewo]

I bought the second biggest GE water softner from Home Depot about a year ago. It's worked as it should. You're going to find that most any softner will work just fine. Just make sure you go to the next size bigger if it's even close. Best to be safe than sorry.

 

[blizzisu]

Take a look a http://www.ohiopurewater.com/shop/customer/home.php

They sell Fleck brand valves which many of the big expensive names in water conditioning re-brand and resell. I've had a water softener and whole home carbon filter from them for three years and they have worked flawlessly. They are also quite a bit cheaper than some of the big names. I was able to buy a 48,000 grain system with a Fleck on-demand 5600XT valve for $599.

If you send them your water quality info, they will recommend the best system for you.

 

[Swanson10]

Unless you own a small business or a 6 shower home, anything over 37,000 grain regeneration is too much. It's not to say you can install it, however it's overkill. Just means you'll spend less on salt. Filter before softener and while you're at it, you might as well think about your water heater as well. knock on your tank, if you have a tank system, and listen for any difference. All the calcium and magnesium that has been getting into your system since they took the previous softener out is now trying to create limestone in your water heater, if you have a base unit and don't do the normal upkeep recommended from the manufacturer...don't worry, most people do not and end up paying for it.

 

[cmjh10]

Also live in grimes and have also noticed this "powdery film" on our dishes after running them through the dish washer the last few weeks. Cant even scrub it off afterwards and ruined some of our nice pots and pans. We thought our cascade packs were just old so we switched to gel detergent and jet dry. Seemed to have helped, but still a little residue left.

Add a splash of vinegar to the load. Should help with that white film.

 

[00clone]

We're going to try Lemi Shine detergent booster on ours as have seen some people say that helps with the hard water. Already replaced a bunch of baby bottles that got too cloudy looking

Yeah, you don't have to throw them away, the cloudiness is just the scale building up, but can be removed with anything acidic. CLR works, although with baby bottles, a vinegar solution might be a less 'chemical' solution. I'm sure you could google how much vinegar/water to mix...fill a big tub/pot and soak them.

 

[cloneluke80]

I have a kenmore, one of the best big box brands you can buy. I have had real good luck with it. Buy some water softness testing strips to monitor and tune your softener.

 

[ISUFAN80]

Tried to search for any old threads on this and didn't find anything. Anyone here have any advice on what to look for in purchasing a water softener? What's the big difference between the number of grains or is a salt free one worth looking at? Grimes water is getting pretty bad lately and I can see why the previous owner had one installed (they took it with them though) and noticing within the last few months our glassware and our baby bottles are all cloudy now. Never thought I would say that I miss the Des Moines water but lived there for nearly 10 years with the same set of dishes and never had this problem. Grimes reported their last hardness test was 300 and what I have read anything over 180 is considered very hard. One person even commented on their Facebook page they had their water tested a few months ago and it was 600 for hardness so they obviously have a problem with the water quality right now.

Already have a buddy who is a plumber who can install it, thinking of putting a whole house water filter in at the same time too. He says the ones he installs the water tastes just as good as if you bought one of the expensive filter systems such as Brita.

I bought a culligan softner 5 years ago. Have not touched it since then really. Was spendy up front but they last forever .

 

[stateofmind]

Ecowater is sold and installed by Clear Water in Des Moines. This is our second Ecowater as the last was left with our last home. I moved it into three homes I liked it so much. This new one rocks. Only charges when it's needed rather than scheduled. Saves a lot of salt. We also bought the R/O system from them for both our old and new system. I've become a water snob for sure. The great thing on this system is that it has a remote monitor to tell me if the salt or the R/O need anything. We paid good money, but between the history and the installation it was well worth every penny.

 

[CYdTracked]

Update on this topic, I had this water softener installed along with a Watts whole house water filter on Friday. Can already tell a difference washing dishes and the filter I had installed filters not only sediment but also improves taste and removes odors and the water coming out of the tap tastes just as good as any filtered or bottled water you could buy I think. I also flushed my tankless water heater for the first time since owning the house for nearly 16 months now and couldn't believe how murky the initial return from the vinegar I flushed through it looked so I wonder how much neglect the previous owners had. We already had to replace the furnace that was 10 years old when we moved in because they had neglected it too as well as an outdoor facet that was leaking in the basement from being frozen that was found during inspection. Just checking and doing routine maintenance on your home's systems regularly really can extend the life on them and prevent expensive repairs.

It's also a good time of the year to dump some water down your sump pits right now to make sure your pump is working before we get spring rains.

 

[kingcy]

Update on this topic, I had this water softener installed along with a Watts whole house water filter on Friday. Can already tell a difference washing dishes and the filter I had installed filters not only sediment but also improves taste and removes odors and the water coming out of the tap tastes just as good as any filtered or bottled water you could buy I think. I also flushed my tankless water heater for the first time since owning the house for nearly 16 months now and couldn't believe how murky the initial return from the vinegar I flushed through it looked so I wonder how much neglect the previous owners had. We already had to replace the furnace that was 10 years old when we moved in because they had neglected it too as well as an outdoor facet that was leaking in the basement from being frozen that was found during inspection. Just checking and doing routine maintenance on your home's systems regularly really can extend the life on them and prevent expensive repairs.

It's also a good time of the year to dump some water down your sump pits right now to make sure your pump is working before we get spring rains.

Good choice on the softener.