need a water softener.

[krd]

The house I bought has a water softener. It quit working so I called a repair man. The problem was fixed with a new controller. Six months later have the same problem. Called the same repair man and he asked for my receipt. Of course I could not find it so the warranty was no good.

I need to buy a new water softener but know nothing about them. We use a lot of water. Two working adults with work clothes and street clothes. Also a working college girl with a ton of clothes.

Please recommend brand, size, type....
Thanks

 

[MagKarl]

You have two choices, either pay someone to do it for you, or get educated and do it yourself. This site here is a good place to start:

http://www.terrylove.com/forums/ind...oftener-forum-problems-installation-and-r.22/

 

[bob15]

I've had a Lancaster Pumps commercial model for 9 years.....no complaints.

I would recommended getting your water tested by a lab first. They will give the results to you which in turn you can fax or e-mail to a softener company for their recommendations on what size and style/type to buy.

 

[G McKay]

I'll bet you can get a good deal on a Sears right now.

 

[67carl]

I have had a Sears Kenmore in use for about 5 years with no issues. My parents have one and so does my sister and her family. No problems there either. Look at their specs to get the size that's appropriate for your useage.

 

[35mm]

Budgetwater.com great service and great prices.

 

[toplessHO]

I ve had a Kinetco for 25 yrs now zero problems.
It uses no electricity or any electronics and has a twin tank design
so while the system is in regen the other tank takes over and flipflops.
Pretty sure you could install yourself but doubt they would warranty.

 

[rharman]

We have EcoWater and it's been great. Uses potassium instead of salt.

They are now displaying at Costco so you get the benefit of extra warranty I think.

 

[bob15]

We have EcoWater and it's been great. Uses potassium instead of salt.

The issue I have with potassium is the skyrocketed price per bag when compared to salt. Potassium chloride is now $26.00 a bag....5x more than the salt I use (40 lb bags). Used to be only slightly more.

Or is California still cheap with potassium bags?

 

[Houndb]

I ve had a Kinetco for 25 yrs now zero problems.
It uses no electricity or any electronics and has a twin tank design
so while the system is in regen the other tank takes over and flipflops.
Pretty sure you could install yourself but doubt they would warranty.

I agree my has been going strong for over ten years. It might be more expensive then Sears but no problems what so ever.

 

[1949 caddyman]

I got one called a "Waterboss" at Home Depot 8 years ago. Was about $400. Has been working good.

 

[rburke65]

A GE from HDepot but oly a year old.....so far ok. Yo need t get your water tested and find out how many grains hard is the water then the number of people and go from there.

 

[mygarageone]

Have you water tested to make sure you get the right softener.

 

[krd]

Thanks for the replies and links.

 

[PFSard]

I got one called a "Waterboss" at Home Depot 8 years ago. Was about $400. Has been working good.

Waterboss from Home Depot about 3 1/2 years ago. No problems. I use salt (not potassium).

 

[justme-]

Another vote for Kinetco - no controllers, no electrical issues, very little to fail and very efficient, no unconditioned water during regen or back flush.
We've been living here 6 years - system was installed in 02. I'm running a filter/neutralizer for ph followed by the softener system.

 

[CNGsaves]

I've had a Lancaster Pumps commercial model for 9 years.....no complaints.

I would recommended getting your water tested by a lab first. They will give the results to you which in turn you can fax or e-mail to a softener company for their recommendations on what size and style/type to buy.

Slight hijack . . . Where to find water test company?? How much??

I've got similar situation with house built 1955 and within 3 yrs mineral deposits have clogged both 12" stubpipes on top of hot water heater. Also, the anode rod was totally coated with white slime that I'm guessing might be calcium/lime ??

What should I do??

 

[jsaw]

Another vote for Kinetco - no controllers, no electrical issues, very little to fail and very efficient, no unconditioned water during regen or back flush.

16 years with mine. Kinetico costs a bit more. But you get what you pay for.

 

[justin1795]

I would recommend one that runs based off your water usage. ours runs every night weather we use 500 gallons or we are gone all day

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I ve had a Kinetco for 25 yrs now zero problems.
It uses no electricity or any electronics and has a twin tank design
so while the system is in regen the other tank takes over and flipflops.
Pretty sure you could install yourself but doubt they would warranty.

I agree my has been going strong for over ten years. It might be more expensive then Sears but no problems what so ever.

Another vote for Kinetco - no controllers, no electrical issues, very little to fail and very efficient, no unconditioned water during regen or back flush.
We've been living here 6 years - system was installed in 02. I'm running a filter/neutralizer for ph followed by the softener system.

16 years with mine. Kinetico costs a bit more. But you get what you pay for.

Another satisfied Kinetico customer, but only for a year, now. Mine uses FAR less salt that anybody else's that I talk to, since we all seem to need softeners around this area. While salt isn't all that expensive, it's a welcome addition to a product which I noticed a huge difference in the first day of use. Installer also relocated my WH filter, from under the house to above the brine tank. I'd recommend Kinetico to anyone!!!

 

[Highbeam]

First, potassium chloride is salt. Just not the sodium kind.

Yes, you'll need to get your water tested. Often times the sellers of water treatment devices can test your water for you. You fill a bottle and ship it. Most things that you might treat for are quite stable and the mailed sample will be representative of your water. Certainly this is the case for hardness.

I had an iron/manganese/sulfur problem and used these guys.

http://www.cleanwaterstore.com/

With great results. They also sell softeners if your problem is hardness. This is not a gimmicky chinese filter, it is real equipment. I would recommend starting with them for free testing and allow them to recommend proper equipment with no commitment to purchase.

 

[Zippercat]

Water Boss! At prior house I was going through cheaper softeners about every 3 years; Water Boss going strong after 10+.

 

[Arps]

Mine died last winter, leaked all over the place. I called a guy, he said it wasnt worth fixing. It was a model with an analog timer, and he explained the new ones measure the water and only recharge when needed. Then he said a new one installed was about 1300$. I priced one out at Lowes for my size family and needs. I bought it and installed it myself for 400$. It works great and I use about 1/2 as much salt as I used to.

 

[IndyGarage]

I bought one from a company called quality water treatment online about 5 years ago. I got the top of the line 2 tank model.

Much better than anything you buy from the box store.

It arrived quickly, I installed it and it works great. About 1/3 what one of the local water treatment companies wanted.

It uses approximately 1 bag of salt per month. I would go that way again if I were doing it again.

 

[GS-Louie]

We have an Aqua Systems softener. They are around various places in Indiana and other areas. It replaced a Culligan that was over 20 years old. It was rebuilt once. The resin bed got plugged up and the dealer was no longer around.

The Aqua Systems is easily serviceable. If the head goes bad you can easily remove it by hand and take it in to the dealer for an on the spot replacement. Everything is in the head. I don't remember the total price anymore but it was less than half a Kinetico. It came with 600 lbs of salt and a RO system. We have 2 storage tanks for the RO system. They also installed 3 taps for the RO water in the house. It was money well spent, especially taking the system and salt in to the basement and hauling the old stuff out and disposing of it.

Lou

 

[gml1998]

Water Boss. One advantage to Water Boss is most models have a built in water filter. It has no cartridges to change , the filter is back flushed every time the softener regenerates.

 

[thammel]

Ditto to buying from qualitywatertreatment.com. You'll get something good for a decent price. Installation is not difficult. And then whe and if you ever have a problem you'll be able to fix it yourself.

Tom

 

[jeanjean]

You have two choices, either pay someone to do it for you, or get educated and do it yourself. This site here is a good place to start:

http://www.terrylove.com/forums/ind...oftener-forum-problems-installation-and-r.22/

That's right. Picking a water softener is actually a very laborious task. In short, what you need to do is to check the water quality, determine the water heater size according to the number of users, and find a water softener that suits you. If you have enough money, you can let the water softener company do all this, otherwise you will need to spend some time researching the softener that is best for your living area. A good thing you will need: water softener recommended, of course, you better read a few more and make a decision.