Water softeners.....

Fowler · #1 01/25/12, 12:47 PM

I need one badly, any suggestions or advice will greatly be appreciated

Old Vet · #2 01/25/12, 03:39 PM

Where I used to live we had a sand filter. It does the job without constant recharge. You can buy them from Sears but I built my own to furnish water for 5 houses.

OH Boy · #3 01/25/12, 08:20 PM

Kinetico is not cheap but our water is extremely good and never runs out. The system does not use electricity either.

plowjockey · #4 01/25/12, 08:30 PM

I used to work for an experienced plumber, who purchased everything he used from his supply house - except water softeners, which he said Sears had the best softeners, for the best price.

What mineral(s) is making your water hard?

Alice In TX/MO · #5 01/25/12, 08:30 PM

Sears is fine.

uncle Will in In. · #6 01/26/12, 08:24 AM

We had a Sears softener. Everything was in one tank. It worked fine until the salt fumes rusted the controls beyond repair. If you buy one anywhere don't have one with the controls inside the salt tank.

Fowler · #7 01/26/12, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plowjockey

I used to work for an experienced plumber, who purchased everything he used from his supply house - except water softeners, which he said Sears had the best softeners, for the best price.

What mineral(s) is making your water hard?

I have way too much iron and calcium, I know that for sure. I have been having problems with one of my sheep too he keeps getting UC, this was the final straw for me along with the clogged up shower heads, dishwasher, tolet stains...you dont understand I am kind of a clean freak and when the water leaves deposits and spots on everything it driving me crazy!!....LMAO!!

#8 01/26/12, 02:21 PM

A plain water softener may not be your best choice for removing iron . I would do some serious research on your specific problems before investing in water treatment equipment . An internet search will result in some websites & forums that discuss water treatment in length .

Old Vet · #9 01/26/12, 02:35 PM

When I used a water filter the water had a lot of iron and sulfur in it it would eat metal pipe in about 1 month. What is did was put an aireatior( made from screen wire and plastic pipe) then let it filter through the sand to remove most of the particles into a rock cash basin then pump it to the house. It worked good until the sand was crusted over then all I did was to scrape a little bit off and refill it about 1 time during the year.

HeelSpur · #10 01/26/12, 02:45 PM

What ever you decide to get make sure you clean the Venturi a couple times a year.
Its easy to do and comes with instuctions.

Pony · #11 01/26/12, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Vet

Where I used to live we had a sand filter. It does the job without constant recharge. You can buy them from Sears but I built my own to furnish water for 5 houses.

Now that is interesting.

Was it hard to construct your own? What did it look like?

Bat Farm · #12 01/26/12, 04:02 PM

I highly recommend a Fleck system. You can buy one and install it yourself if you have any sort of DIY aptitude (and I have a feeling you do) it's very basic plumbing. I linked the people below simply because they have all three on the same page. Someone in your area will carry Fleck - try a plumbing supply house.

http://www.qualitywatertreatment.com/iron_filters.htm

Old Vet · #13 01/26/12, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

Now that is interesting.

Was it hard to construct your own? What did it look like?

I buried a bottom of a concrete 500 gallon tank and left 6 inches exposed then filled it with rock and sand up to 3 inches from the top put an areatior over that and a pump to get it to the houses. Then built a well house over that. The design was simple but it worked well.

plowjockey · #14 01/26/12, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WV Hillbilly

A plain water softener may not be your best choice for removing iron . I would do some serious research on your specific problems before investing in water treatment equipment . An internet search will result in some websites & forums that discuss water treatment in length .

We have very high iron here and our salt softener, removes the iron, just fine.

Pony · #15 01/26/12, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Vet

I buried a bottom of a concrete 500 gallon tank and left 6 inches exposed then filled it with rock and sand up to 3 inches from the top put an areatior over that and a pump to get it to the houses. Then built a well house over that. The design was simple but it worked well.

Very slick - and elegant.

Thanks!

I'll be sharing this with Nick, as I think we may be needing some sort of filtration system...

blooba · #16 01/26/12, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Boy

Kinetico is not cheap but our water is extremely good and never runs out. The system does not use electricity either.

I second the kinetico. They are expensive but they use use no electricity and base their salt usage on water usage.

Had a sears softener and it worked good but boy i never realized how much salt i was wasting due to me not using much water. The Kinetico cut my salt usage down to about 1/5 of what i was using with the sears one. And the sears one was supposed to "monitor my water usage" and adjust accordingly.

I purchased a reconditioned kinetico and saved alot of money but that opens up a whole other barrel of worms of what to look out for."new beads and what not"

plowjockey · #17 01/26/12, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blooba

I second the kinetico. They are expensive but they use use no electricity and base their salt usage on water usage.

Had a sears softener and it worked good but boy i never realized how much salt i was wasting due to me not using much water. Cut my salt usage down to about 1/5 of what i was using. And the sears one was supposed to "monitor my water usage" and adjust accordingly.

I purchased a reconditioned kinetico and saved alot of money but that opens up a whole other barrel of worms of what to look out for."new beads and what not"

Good point.

Always purchase a "demand" water softener (might be all that they make any more), which meters the water and then only cleans, after an approximate number of gallons are used.

Even the newer electric models don't use much energy. Mine (cheapie off brand) just triggers the clean cycle and water flow does the rest, similar to the kinetico.

Welshmom · #18 01/26/12, 08:03 PM

We have a three year old Kinetico at home, it works pretty well, but I have had to have them come out and replace a tank head that was leaking.
I put an Addie from Farm & Fleet in my duplex. Much cheaper to purchase, I was able to install it myself (replacement job), and my tenant remarks how little salt she has to put in it. Very little usage on my electric bill.

blooba · #19 01/26/12, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plowjockey

Good point.

Always purchase a "demand" water softener (might be all that they make any more), which meters the water and then only cleans, after an approximate number of gallons are used.

Even the newer electric models don't use much energy. Mine (cheapie off brand) just triggers the clean cycle and water flow does the rest, similar to the kinetico.

oh shoot, i'm gonna have to edit my post, The kinetico cut my salt usage down to about 1/5 of what the sears one (water metering) was using.

Sorry for the confusion!

plowjockey · #20 01/26/12, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blooba

oh shoot, i'm gonna have to edit my post, The kinetico cut my salt usage down to about 1/5 of what the sears one (water metering) was using.

Sorry for the confusion!

Kineticos are one of the best water softeners made.

My plumber friend, always rated them high (he had one himself), but considering the relative simplicity of a water softener, it was hard to justify the $2500 cost to many of his customers, when good alternatives, would be available for $600.