Water Softener

R

robr

100+ Posts
I am considering getting a water softening system installed in the casa. The is so much calcium in the San Antonio water, it is amazing. My wife has to throw away a coffee maker a couple of times a year because the calcium deposits in there just make it useless.
Culligan has a deal where they install it and lease it to you, but I'm not much for leasing in general.
How much is the salt going to run? And how the hell does salt make the water softener (hey, I'm a retailer, not a chemist). Is it a pain to add? I hate doing that type of crap-I have a pool guy, a yard guy, housekeeper, you get the idea.
I haven't discussed the technical stuff with anybody. I guess it intersects the H20 main at some place and does its business, and deposits soft water back into the main. Is there any reason/option to do it differently so that it wouldn't be softening the water for my sprinkler system, for instance. That seems wasteful.
Am I missing anything significant? I know that I have to have a water softener if I am to install the 'on-demand' water heater, which I may do at the same time.
Any other thoughts will be appreciated-if they're nice!
 
I think most sprinkler systems are plumbed directly from the main water line to the house. I think most modern houses, or at least those in areas where water softeners are common, the outside faucets are also connected directly to the main water line so that the softener only processes the water entering the house. All the houses around here have the main water line exposed in the garage so that a softener can be easily added. We had a softener for years, because our water was extremely hard. You have to add a 40 lb bag of salt every couple weeks or so, depending on your softener and how much water you use, but that is really all there is to it. If you are not a very experienced plumber, it would probably be well worth the expense to have a professional install it for you.
 
I'm about to put one in. You can do it yourself pretty easy. IN most homes your plumbing is set up to add a water softner. THe water softener goes in right before your water heater thats where you'll find the extra plumbing that you just cut.
 
In San Antonio, I highly recommend River City Water. They are experienced, but not so big that you get lost in customer service. I've used them for water softener and RO under the sink. When I've had a problem, they are there the same day or the next.

As far as salt goes, you can get it at Loew's. Buy the fine (blue sack) salt and keep some in stock. I add about 1 40 lb bag every month or 2.
 
The 40lb bags of salt are about 3.99. I'd buy a system and get the salt yourself. Not worth it IMO to rent and pay monthly fees.
 
It's ok to drink softened water. Much of the world drinks it straight from their faucets daily with no extra treatment needed. It's distilled water that you're not supposed to drink much of. The electrolytes are wacked in distilled water, and it will mess you up.
Thanks for the heads up on the reverse osmosis filter. Thats a nice option to consider.
 
Yeah, now I remember it's only people who are trying to minimize sodium intake that should avoid softened water.
 
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