Need new water softener/filter

[Scott K]

My water softener quit, so I need a new water softener, and I dont have a water filter in my house, and want to install one. What are some good options, brands, your recommendations. I dont know if there are some sort of combination system, or what my options are. I dont want to spend a ton of money, but I also want soft water, and a good filter. I looked into reverse osmosis in the past, and thought it was a rather spendy option, but I havent ruled that our either. Any suggestions?

[harvey lee]

I would have your water checked for iron and hardness before you purchase anything Scott. Many options out there depending on what your water tests and what it contains. Maybe you already have.

I know when we were still living in the country we had to have a softener and an iron filter but there are better units out there on the market that can take care of both issues if the water is not too bad.

In town, we can get away with just a softener.

[MN_Jay]

What I did to save money when I installed mine (after I figured out what size I needed) is ordered it online and assembled and installed it myself. It's not really that hard if you have even a little plumbing experience. What would have cost me $1200 through culligan cost me $700 and it is good quality equipment too (fleck).

I can dig out the HSOforum if you want. They even have a neat little tool that helps you figure out what size you need. You'll need your test results for hardness and iron with you to do it.

[Scott K]

How do I get the water tested?

[BobT]

My Water Boss has worked great for the five or six years I've had it. Less than $500.00 makes it pretty economical by comparison too. Because we have well water with no chemical treatments we use the model 900. Family of 4 including clothes washer and dishwasher. The unit also has its own built-in self-cleaning whole house sediment filter.

Our water hardness is at 36, which is quite hard.

Iron is nearly non-existant.

It cycles every 500 gallons or so.

It uses about 14 gallons per cycle.

It uses about 40lbs. of salt per month. I actually keep a record of when I buy salt so I know this is accurate.

Two years ago we installed a new Water Boss for my mother-in-law in Hibbing. Because she also has well water and is alone, we bought the model 700 for her.

Hardness setting is at about 25. Anything over 10 is considered hard.

Iron is over 7ppm, which is quite high.

The model 700 and 900 are capable of handling up to 10ppm using rust inhibiting salt and no external iron filters.

Her's cycles about every 400 gallons of water use.

She says she adds salt so seldom it's a challenge to remember to check it.

Before she got the Water Boss her shower walls, sinks, and toilets were red from iron deposits and I mean red. One of her biggest complaints was how she had to constantly clean the rust. The first time we stopped in after installing the Water Boss her fist comment was, "Wow! It sure is nice to have clean sinks and toilets." She continues to work at getting the rust off the walls around her tubs and showers. Plastic surrounds don't like to give that up too easily.

That's our experience.

[Scott K]

BOBT, this sounds good. 2 questions.

Who do I have test my water to determine what is needed, and who sells the Water Boss?

[BobT]

FF sells them and can test your water. You want to get a clean container, open an unsoftened water valve, and let it run for a couple minutes so you know you're getting a good sample of your water.

They will be able to tell you the hardness setting and iron conditions for the softener. The manual will tell you how to set up the unit.

[WallEYES]

Scott...Check with your city or county health departments they usually have the test kits.

[Tom7227]

Before you pronounce your exiting unit DOA take a look at this HSOforum and see if it can lead you to a fix rather than a replace. These things aren't that complicated.

http://www.kenmorewater.com/HSOforum/animations/product-animation/ts_index.html

[BobT]

Good point, Tom. I assumed the nozzles and screens were already checked. Part of owning a softener is that there is some amount of maintenance required. The nozzles and screens can get plugged with crud and require occasional cleaning.

[Scott K]

Well, it isnt sucking the water out of the tank, and the hose isnt leaking. It is original that was put in the house in 89, so I figured it had a good life. I kinda looked into Kinetico, but wow $$$ Are they worth it?

[Macgyver55]

Just replaced my 25 year old softener with a Water Boss. So far I've notice it uses WAY less salt than my old unit.

I brought a water sample in and they tested it at the store, and I called the city and they gave me a similar hardness number. Water Boss has pretty good reviews from what I could find.

[BobT]

Well, it isnt sucking the water out of the tank, and the hose isnt leaking. It is original that was put in the house in 89, so I figured it had a good life. I kinda looked into Kinetico, but wow $$$ Are they worth it?

That's a common problem and an easy one to take care of most of the time. There's a jet nozzle that gets plugged preventing it from doing its job. Your manual should show you how to fix this.

[Scott K]

Thanks, I will look into it

[Archerysniper]

I would also recommend a water boss

[Scott K]

OK, I tore apart my control head, and I am regenerating now, I will see if the tank refills back up and stays up. If it does, I will be getting a Waterboss.

Whats eryones opinion on reverse osmosis systems? Or just get a 3 stage water filter system for drinking water?

[Eric Wettschreck]

Couple things to look at on your softener. There is a screen on the head where you brine tubing attaches that often plugs. Also, on the pick up tube in the brine tank there is a float. If the float sticks (common problem) it won't be able to suck brine. 15 dollar fix.

If you purchase a new softener I highly recommend one with a Fleck head.

RO systems have their ups and downs. I would not get a whole house system. If you want one for just drinking water you can purchase an under the sink unit but they're spendy.

[delcecchi]

Isn't drinking RO water like drinking distilled water? I thought that wasn't good for you as a regular thing. Plus it tastes flat.

What is the problem with your water that you are considering RO?

[Eric Wettschreck]

An RO's job is to remove dissolved solids from water. Most of these solids are dissolved minerals. So, yes, it will taste quite a bit different. Also, it won't supply the body the minerals it needs so you'll have to get them from the food you eat. A lot of people say, "It doesn't quench their thirst."

[Scott K]

This is what I am working on. The brine tank is full of water, and it wont draw the water out, if I drain it, it will just fill it back up, and not suck it back out. I have cleaned the salt tank, checked the hose for leaks, removed the check ball, float thingy, that screan was ok. I removed the piston screen, that was plugged with a rusty substance, the piston/injector itself, looked ok. The control head, while regenerating, will have a drip, right under the dials, but only leaks when it is regenerating. Can that be the reason for it not drwaing the brine? Should I just take the head off of it, tear it all down and clean it all up, and reassemble it? Is there anything I shouldnt take apart? Something that, dont remove that part, or you will just need to throw it away and get a new one? Or any tips? I think I am a little mechanical, I am an automechanic, and I rebuild auto transmissions, I cant imagine, this even compares. But, I dont know that.

[Archerysniper]

If you can rebuild a transmission you can tackle any softener. When you hook it up make sure the i goes to the in if you cross them you will shoot the resin into the house and make a huge mess plugging every screen in your fixtures. Also if you spill any resin be careful it will be extremely slippery.

[delcecchi]

Does the resin ever wear out? My softener doesn't seem to work as well as it used to. It is probably about 25 years old.

[upnorth]

We had a Water Boss, but when the main board fried we chose not to fix it, can't remember the cost but wasn't cheap and the company wasn't real helpful. Since our water isn't too bad(16 grains of hardness) we just went with a drinking water filter. But before it broke it worked well.

[DTro]

No issues with my Water Boss. Over 10 years old now.

Scott, check out YouTube, lots of great "How To" videos there that might show you step by step how to fix yours.

[Tom7227]

Does the resin ever wear out? My softener doesn't seem to work as well as it used to. It is probably about 25 years old.

I think the answer is yes the resin can wear out. But you might want to try getting some Iron Out and follow the directions with that. I don't know what's in it but I do it every year or so. Caution is that the stuff makes a really nasty fume as you are mixing it so stand off to the side a bit and use a long stick to stir it.