Water softener issues

[RobertN]

I have a Rainsoft water softener. It has worked well for almost 15 years. We had the guys come out to give it a once over, and replace the filters in our reverse osmosis filters in the kitchen. We had the unit installed right after we moved in; previous residents had drank and cooked with bottled water.

I had noticed the water not right, and not using as much salt lately.

So they checked it out; the resin is coming out(bad), and the main valve that controls the slat flush is bad(bad...). They gave me a quote for a new unit; major sticker shock!

They have given us good service, and the existing unit worked well given our terrible well water, for almost 15 years. Our water is high in mineral and iron.

Looking online, there are a number of units available from other companies, for much much less.

I will take some water for testing in the morning. I just wonder if it is worth keeping the Rainsoft, or looking at having a different unit put in. It was too late to make many calls by the time I was free this afternoon. Will be on the phone in the AM.

Anyone have any experience with this?

[Dmace]

We installed a water softener last year after our water tested hard (7 grams per mil) not very hard but hard enough to leave white residue around drains and taste weird. I was quoted just over $3200 for a water softener system with a 5yr electronics / 10yr tank warranty and installation.

I decided to go with a Home Depot GE unit for about $550 plus about $50 in materials and 2 hours of work installing myself. It has all the features of the $3200 system like the SmartSoft that monitors water usage and adjust salt and regen usage, it has a 200lb capacity, an LCD screen with "Days to Empty" display and a 3yr electronics / 10yr tank warranty.

1 year later, I have only added salt and the water still test good. I figure that even if I replace this entire unit every 3 years it will still be cheaper then replacing a $3000 unit every 10 years...

[heehaw]

many years ago, when i was using a water softner on our well, i had a chemist friend test the water for salt: don't remember the numbers now, but it was really high: so be careful if you or anyone in the family are on a low sodium diet for some reason.
heehaw

[CinderSchnauzer]

I've had good results with Sears Water Softeners. Had one in previous home for years with "0" problems. Current one is 6 years old - automatic, but entry level price - "0" problems. Water is around 25 grains so didn't need large capacity. Have always used "Sea Salt" - fewer impurities and does not clog up the works.

Installed another larger model in another house - "0" problems but still relatively new. Water was 75+ grains is why larger model plus sale price of $600.00 off. For me Sears price is reasonable, no questions asked return policy, points for using the card plus, so far the products seems reliable.

[RobertN]

I've been looking; we have hard water and iron. All the calculators put us in the large units like the 96000 grain. $$$. Looks like Fleck and Kinetico are two good options. Expensive though, especially installed.

My neighbor has a 21 or 22 year old Kinetico; it is working really well. He has the same hard/iron well water I have.

[BungeeII]

Here's a nice article on softening:
Treatment Systems for Household Water Supplies -- Iron and Manganese Removal

[charlz]

I installed two of the Sears units in the mid 90's in my in-laws house and ours in Vegas. I think after 6 years I had to replace a $1 o-ring or something in the in-laws unit. Mine never had a problem in the 6 years we lived in the house. We moved away and I think after 8 or 9 years my MIL either had a problem or imagined she had a problem (hard to tell with her) and called Rainsoft. They replaced her softener and reverse osmosis unit (both of which I put in for about $700) for a few thousand dollars