The Water Softener Blog

Water softening systems are basically an appliance that treats incoming water to the home to remove hardness minerals (Calcium, Magnesium) present in water and provide conditioned, softened water for the home to protect plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances, to prevent hard water scale buildup, and iron staining. Making the home run more efficient. Water softeners/conditioners are not the solution to every water treatment problem. There are a myriad of water chemistry problems, such as high iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and low PH, along with many other water problems that require different types of water treatment equipment to properly treat the water.  The first step in determining the proper water treatment solution is a comprehensive water analysis to determine water hardness, iron, and other water chemistry issues that may require more treatment options than just a water softener. Water softeners have six main components: 1. Control Valve 2. Dist...

Water filters cover the gambit from simple faucet filters, refrigerator filters, in-line filters to filter housings with a replaceable filter cartridge to all types of whole house backwashing / regenerating filtration systems that remove, iron, odors, manganese, radium, lead, turbidity and a plethora of other water problems.  This subject covers such a wide range of water problems it could take many blog articles to cover just the basics of water filtration.   One thing I know for certain though is what the typical consumer considers a water filter and what a water treatment professional would consider a water filter are totally different.

Is her blonde hair suddenly turning brown? While complimenting the hair color is nice, the better choice is better water. Rusty water, iron stains, or rotten-egg odors (H 2 S) are common with well water, and can all cause issues with hair color. The good news is that all these water issues are fixable with the right water treatment system. Top culprits Iron (ferrous/ferric) — orange stains on showers, sinks, laundry, and hair. Manganese — gray/black staining; can add off-tastes and odors. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) — “rotten egg” odor; corrosive at higher levels. Pro tip: Cartridge housings before a softener are not iron filters. They’re for sediment. Dissolved iron/manganese passes through and can foul softener resin, and housings can harbor bacteria if not sanitized at each change. Start with a proper water analysis Baseline tests should include pH, hardness, iron, manganese, H 2 S, nitrates, TDS ; add bacteria, arseni...

That is a good question!  The simple answer is to install  a water softener.  The real answer is more complicated, but it doesn't have to be, as long as you do some homework to make sure you purchase the right water treatment system to solve your hard water problems. The Water Softener Blog - How to Choose the Right Water Softener System: A Complete Guide for Homeowners and DIY There are a lot of options out there now for so-called "Salt Free Water Softeners".  Magnetic gadgets (to change the polarity of the water), media to bond the calcium and magnesium together (to make a larger molecular particle) that, theoretically, won't fall out of solution as easily, etc, etc.   At this point, all of that is just "Hocus Pocus" and a money grab.  Here is a good example of how they get your money, then back down.   I get a call from a young couple who are having well water issues. They asked if I could come out to test their water and see what i...