If you’re in the market for a water softener, you know the right system will greatly improve water quality throughout your household. The more you know about your options before you buy, the better the investment you will make. It pays, in every sense of the word, to ask a pro. They can answer water treatment questions you might not have thought to ask.
Here are some questions homeowners commonly ask us, along with some brief answers.
1. Why do I need a water softener?
Here in Minnesota, most of us have hard water, though the hardness levels vary. Installing a water softener is the only truly effective way to remove the hardness-causing minerals (primarily calcium and magnesium) cause nasty yellow stains on your clothes from your household water.
Left untreated, the minerals (scale) from hard water can clog up pipes, fixtures, appliances and hot water heaters. Those minerals also show-up as hard water spots on glassware and dishes, cause nasty yellow stains on your clothes, and create soap scum that leads to dry hair and itchy skin.
That said, if your main concern is the water you drink and cook with, you should consider installing a water filtration system in your kitchen.
2. How do I know how hard my water is?
Testing your water is a great starting point. This way you’ll know not only the level of hardness but also what chemicals and other impurities are present in your water. You can buy an inexpensive basic test kit at a home improvement store, or you can call us. Have a pro do the testing for the most detailed information about your water.
3. Do saltless systems work?
They are not nearly as effective at softening water as systems that use salt.
4. Will we ever run out of soft water to shower, especially when we have company over?
(Or, conversely: It’s just the two of us, we don’t need a huge, expensive system, do we?) Size definitely matters. A system that is too big for your needs can be a waste by using extra salt and electricity for unnecessary regeneration, but a too-small system won’t be able to keep up with your needs. A pro can help you calculate optimal capacity for your family’s everyday needs, however, if you have company often, a higher capacity system may make more sense. On the other hand, dual-tank water systems never run out. One tank of soft water is always available while the other is regenerating.
5. How long do water softeners last?
A top quality system can last for almost 20 years – if it is sized correctly and you maintain it properly. Always check out the warranty, because good companies stand by their product with a great warranty.
6. What maintenance is required?
For example, how much salt and water does it use (which relates to how often it regenerates)? Not all systems are the same, and the type and amount of maintenance affects your ultimate cost as well as your time commitment. Note: dual-tank water softeners actually use a lot less salt because the twin softening tanks allow the system to regenerate with soft water.
7. What is the cost of ownership (and ultimate payback) for this softener?
Many of the most obvious benefits a water softener provides are aesthetic. Your water will look better and you’ll spend a lot less time scrubbing fixtures and dishes. You can stop fighting dry skin and brittle, tangled hair.
The right system will deliver all those wonderful results as cost-effectively as possible. Your dishwasher, water heater, and washing machine will last far longer and perform far better than they can with hard water. Your clothing and household linens will look and feel better and last longer without fading or discoloration.
8. Why should I buy from you?
While the product you choose and cost of ownership affect your ROI, so does the company you buy from. How long have they been in business? Do the installers work for them? A stable business with a reputation for quality will give you advice you can trust. And with a full-service business that does their own installations, you can trust that your water softener will be properly set-up to give you optimal performance.
Ready to learn more? Give us a call!
