10 Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Water Softeners

1. What are the different types of water treatment systems?

There are three types of water present in your home. Raw water is brought in from the city, county, or a well. Raw water is typically used for watering your lawn and is untreated. Working water is the water treated by your water treatment system, and is used for bathing, washing, and cleaning. Finally, the third type of water present in your home is drinking water. Drinking water treatment systems such as reverse osmosis are available to better the quality of the water you drink.

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2. What does a water softener do?

Hard water has large deposits of calcium and magnesium, and once it evaporates it leaves a white film on sink fixtures and showers that can often be difficult to clean. A water softener eliminates these mineral deposits with the following steps. First, the water travels into the resin bed where the resin beads bind to calcium and magnesium molecules. The resin bed will eventually become saturated, calling for the use of salt. Contrary to common belief, salt is not directly added to the water. Instead, it is used to clean the resin bed, and only a small amount of sodium actually is added to your water with the removal of calcium and magnesium.

3. What are the benefits of a water softener?

Benefits are evident to both your body and your home with the use of soft water. Your skin will feel softer and free of any scum or residue left by soaps, and your hair will have more shine and luster. Any skin irritations or issues will be improved with the use of soft water as well. No scale will be visible in your ice cube tray, water heater, plumbing pipes, or bathroom fixtures. The life of your fixtures and water heater will be vastly improved. Soft water will also advance the quality of your drinking water.

4. What is the difference between an electrical water softener and a mechanical water softener?

Electrical water softeners are often found at your local home improvement stores. They require a power source nearby and are run on a timer on top of the resin bed. Like an alarm clock, the timer tells the unit when to regenerate. Mechanical systems, like a Kinetico, only work when you are using water, increasing its efficiency. Other chemical free units exist, and there are countless options available.

5. How do I know if I have hard water?

Hard water causes scale to form on the inside of plumbing, water heaters, toilet bowls, sink fixtures, shower heads, shower doors, and even your skin, just to name a few. It is visible in the form of white film on your fixtures and shower. If you have a sprayer or shower head, flip it over and check the openings. If the holes are filled, hard water could be impeding you from getting the best results from your fixtures. Hard water can also stick to skin and clothing.

6. What is involved in getting my water tested?

Water is tested directly at the source, your kitchen sink for city and county water, or directly at the well pump. The test will include checking for hardness as well as chlorine levels and TDS (total dissolved solids). With well water, sulfide, sediment, and tannin tests could also be performed. Representatives may show you a soap test, in which they will demonstrate the different reactions of soap between hard and soft treated water. Tests will last about 30-45 minutes.

7. Does size or capacity matter when choosing a water softener?

When buying electrical systems with one tank of resin, take capacity into account. It is important to remember how much water your home uses and the amount of water pressure necessary. With mechanical units, capacity does not matter. They have an infinite reserve of soft and treated water. Size depends on how much water pressure your family needs.

8. What are the operating costs of a water softener?

Salt and water are the main operating costs of a water treatment system. The unit will need both salt and water to regenerate and clean the resin bed. With an electrical machine, the average salt per day is one pound per person. Thus, for a family of two people, about 60 pounds of salt per month will be necessary. Electrical units also use between 45 and 100 gallons of water every time it cleans, which could amount to over 1,000 gallons per month depending on how often you have it set for. Non-electrical units are much more efficient, using about 7 pounds of salt per person per month, and approximately 7 gallons of water each time it cleans. Keep in mind that carbon beds and systems treating well water may require more maintenance.

9. Where is the softener installed?

Contrary to common belief, you do not always have to put your water softener in your garage. Check with your homeowner's association to be sure. Electrical units will need to be installed in the garage because it provides a power source for the system. Mechanical units, however, can be installed completely outdoor, as they do not have any power source requirements or corrosive parts.

10. How long will the unit take to install?

Install should not take more than 2-3 hours. If installing an electrical unit, be sure your power source is available and working. Mechanical machines usually have a shorter install period than electrical machines.

10 Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Water Softeners

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10 Questions you Should Be Asking Before Purchasing a Water Softener

Will a permit need to be pulled in order to install my water softener?

A permit could be necessary. Be sure to ask your rep if a permit needs to be pulled in order to install your unit in the city or county where you live. By making sure you have the proper permits from the start, you can be sure that when you sell or remodel your home later, you will avoid costly penalties. Choose a forthright company; it is their responsibility to keep you informed.
How soon after installation will I have soft water?

Cold water turns soft immediately, and so does hot water from a tankless water heater. Traditional water heaters house hot water during the installation of your water treatment system. Thus, until the tank is empty, the water will remain hard. If you do not want to wait the 2-3 days it takes to empty your tank naturally, you can run your bathtub on hot until it runs cold. Your water will then be soft when your tank replenishes.
What are the differences between purchasing a water softener at a home improvement store vs. from a company specializing in water treatment?

Purchasing a unit at a home improvement store is an option, but it lacks a professional company willing to maintain and service your machine whenever necessary. You are taking responsibility for paying for its install or doing it yourself and it may be worth it to purchase from a company that will professionally install it free of charge. Options are limited at home improvement stores, and with a water treatment company, you are more likely to find the best option for your home.
Is soft water good enough to drink?

It all depends on personal taste. Soft working water that comes out of your faucet is in fact good enough to drink. However, that is by government safety standards. Some people may wish to have a better tasting drinking water, and there are plenty of good options for drinking water treatment systems, such as reverse osmosis or sink cartridge filter systems. This improved quality drinking water will not only taste better by itself, but it will improve the taste of your coffee and your cooking!
What type of maintenance and upkeep is involved with a water softener?

Salt and/or potassium are necessary to upkeep your water softener. Well water may require food grade chemicals and bleach to treat it. Carbon bed systems will become saturated with chlorine and need to be changed. It all depends on the unit's capacity and how much water your home uses.
What if I'm not willing or physically able to add salt to the softener on a regular basis?

When purchasing from a water treatment company, most will provide a free salt delivery service. Your tank will never be empty and you can enjoy your soft water without the hassle.
How long can I expect my water softener to last?

Life expectancy on systems does vary. Electrical softeners will last about 1-5 years depending on where they are stored. Units installed in the garage will have a little longer of expectancy. With non electrical units, like Kinetico, location has no bearing on expectancy. They usually last 20-30 years as long as they are kept up with. Chemical free systems last a year or two depending on the materials used to treat the water. Be sure to ask your rep what the expectancy of your machine will be
What if I am renting my home or planning on moving in the next few years?

Most people do not know that water treatment systems are portable. Renters can purchase a system and move it with them as their family relocates. A lot of companies will also rent units to you. Warranties generally transfer with you.
What is the typical warranty on a system?

Warranties are a reflection of how a manufacturer feels about their product. Be sure to be clear on what the warranty includes. Lifetime warranties are often misleading, and natural disasters are not usually included. Watch out for the mention of chlorine in the warranty. It is often put in our county and city water for treatment, and could render your warranty void if damages from chlorine are not included. Carbon tanks should be included in the warranty for your resin bed. Ten year warranties are also common. Not prorated warranties mean that if the prices of parts increase over time you will not have to pay the difference, while prorated warranties will require you to pay the difference.
What is the typical guarantee?

Every company is different, but most will rely on Florida law which states that you have three days to provide a cancellation in writing and get your money back. Make a verbal and written cancellation to avoid problems in the future. Companies may offer 30 day money back guarantees, and it should also be in writing. You may not get the plumbing costs back, which are minimal, but you can use that plumbing again later if you decide to get another unit installed with a different vendor. Protect yourself and be informed!

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10 Questions you Should Be Asking Before Purchasing a Water Softener

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