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School me on Water softeners

JM21

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Looking to add a whole house water softener to my house. Our hard ass water in Fallbrook is killing my new house and expensive plumbing fixtures. When I built the house I stubbed for the system and put an outlet there for power so install will be a breeze just haven't done it yet. Looking for a stand alone salt system with wifi. Anyone using a model/brand they love? Home Depot sells a Rheem for $599, Lowes has comparable but A.O Smith which is what my water heater is.
 

Looking Glass

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Looking to add a whole house water softener to my house. Our hard ass water in Fallbrook is killing my new house and expensive plumbing fixtures. When I built the house I stubbed for the system and put an outlet there for power so install will be a breeze just haven't done it yet. Looking for a stand alone salt system with wifi. Anyone using a model/brand they love? Home Depot sells a Rheem for $599, Lowes has comparable but A.O Smith which is what my water heater is.
After having different Brand Softeners in different parts of the Country, I am convinced for so many reasons, look into a company like Culligan and you will never have unsolved problems. Softeners, as with many things when working are great, but dealing with them by yourself can be a bitch and cause more problems. It depends on your situation, but these companies will do a Salt delivery service and at that time check everything to keep it running smoothly. The soft conditioned water will Save your Heater, Stools Washer, and Faucets, and IMO after it is set up correctly and you take your first shower, you will Never take one without.

Good Luck!!
 

Go-Fly

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Have your water tested first to see what you have to remove. I have to remove iron first and then run it through a softener. After that it passes through a charcoal filter.
 

JM21

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After having different Brand Softeners in different parts of the Country, I am convinced for so many reasons, look into a company like Culligan and you will never have unsolved problems. Softeners, as with many things when working are great, but dealing with them by yourself can be a bitch and cause more problems. It depends on your situation, but these companies will do a Salt delivery service and at that time check everything to keep it running smoothly. The soft conditioned water will Save your Heater, Stools Washer, and Faucets, and IMO after it is set up correctly and you take your first shower, you will Never take one without.

Good Luck!!
I looked into this and due to where I live the service of the units, salt delivery are not available as I am rural. Already looked into Culligan and the likes, Costco etc and that is what led me to the softener that I can maintain. My dad has had one for 20+ years and their water is primo for showers, washing cars etc. I just wanted the braintrust opinion as well.
 

JM21

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Have your water tested first to see what you have to remove. I have to remove iron first and then run it through a softener. After that it passes through a charcoal filter.
I did that when I had my pool built and all signs led to a salt based water softener.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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If you need a salt based softener after testing, I have had great luck with APEC Water.

I elected not to go with a salt based softener and instead did a sediment filter, carbon filter and a water conditioner. My system fit my needs based on the data and recommendations from my local water report, and while there is still some minerals in my house water, they are drastically reduced, and I don’t have any of the salt based softener side effects.
 

boatpi

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In Vegas I use a huge filter and salt based. And a huge filter on the pool fill side to remove iron.
 

SoCalDave

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My last 2 homes I had installed a Whirlpool softener from Lowe's and never had an issue with either one.
The key to a successful softener is pre-filtration...trust me on this...
Installing one next week on our neverendingproject once again.
Pre sediment filter, charcoal filter, water softener and we're set again for quality water to the house.
BTW also have RO for cooking/drinking.
 

DRIVE BYE

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Being Rural,are you on your own well? or a Municipal water system? You need to know what you are dealing with Water wise before going any further, I.E. Hardness and what the make up is. Look at Kinetico and see if you have a dealer in your area.
 

FreeBird236

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A lot of plumbers in Havasu are using Ultima. Made in the USA and very good quality for standard salt system.
 

Go-Fly

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I did that when I had my pool built and all signs led to a salt based water softener.
Perfect. I would determine how much time you want to spend taking care of the system and how much water you will need and put together a plan. When I was working I paid a local company to fill and service my water sofener. Now I have time to do it myself. I like the Aquasure brand because you can easily replace the power head. That is what goes bad 99.9% of the time and they have a good timeline on parts. Easy programming and large salt hoppers that are separate from the sofener. I've had small one piece ones that work great too and you replace them every 5-7 years. Read the reviews and decide or make a phone call and pay the bill every month. Here is the all in one we have at our get away and you just add salt when it tells you too. Our new one, in our new place is commercial and can service 5 families.
20180205_170229.jpg
 

17 10 Flat

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I know they cost more but I used Kinetco in Michigan for 40 plus years on well water. Never had any issues at all. Two tank system never with out soft water even with company.
 

Justfishing

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You have to know what you are dealing with in the water. Do you have magnese, iron etc. where i live the hardness varies alot from city to city based on how they treat the water. In more rural areas on a well can require a complerly different set up.

Culligan will be your high priced option. Lowes offers a higher end AO Smith version than what they sell in the store. The higher end version isnt sold direct to consumer. They are better made and have better support ,comparable to culligan. A representative comes out and tests your water and gives you options. They will be much less than culligan for a comparable unit.

By contrast the off the shelf unit in the store is basic unit if the water fall in a certain range of hardness and may not fit your needs. Off the shelf big box units are pretty comparable.
 

Sleek-Jet

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My last 2 homes I had installed a Whirlpool softener from Lowe's and never had an issue with either one.
The key to a successful softener is pre-filtration...trust me on this...
Installing one next week on our neverendingproject once again.
Pre sediment filter, charcoal filter, water softener and we're set again for quality water to the house.
BTW also have RO for cooking/drinking.

Another endorsement for a Whirlpool softener.

I'm on domestic city water but it is very hard. The softener that came with the house went 20 years before it needed new resin, so it was easier to swap it out with another Whirlpool. They work great in my experience.
 
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