Anyone here have a soft water system? What's the big deal?

[charliebrown]

OK, so a co-worker was telling me about all the benefits of a soft water system - better for laundry, showering, washing dishes, etc.... but it cost her $2K.

Anyone have a soft water system? Is it worth it?

 

[PsychoAndy]

had one at work for the dishwasher.....supposedly it makes water clean better. at some point i was told that softened water suds more easily and works better than tap. your mileage may vary. our water in fl stinks.

 

[ucdnam]

Since hard water sucks, I love my soft water system. If you can't afford it, then don't spend the money for it. I don't think it'll have any life-impacting benefits really. Before, I had irons stop working because I used hard water, residue on my dishes because of the crap (black dishes), hard water spots on my car, etc. It's weird to feel soapy after you shower or wash your hands though.

 

[syf3r]

yeah, you can stand in the shower forever and it feels like the soap is never washed off. hard water sucks.

syf3r.

 

[gqstyle09]

hard water creates mineral deposits (that white gunk you sometimes have to clean off your faucet) and that stuff builds up inside your pipes and what not, and it's not something you wanna clean out if they get clogged... soft water is just better all around and reduces complications (you wouldn't wanna be drinking water that u know creates those deposits anyways right? yucky)

 

[dwil]

I had one, had to replace it for around $400.
So if you are plumbed for it, it should be cheap.

We had rust in our water, kept getting upset with my son for peeing in the bath, turns out it was rust.
We got a filter and softener, clean clear water...

It's worth it.

 

[nycdude]

I am pricing one right now since I am moving to a Condo in NJ.

Hard water ruins everything because its very abrasive. The one that is in there now somehow hasn't been used since '88 according to the lids date.

It costs like $900 to replace plus $130 for installation and the salt is extra.

Homes and houses can be money pits.

If you can find one for cheaper, please LMK.

Thanks

 

[Viperoni]

I love the taste of hard water

My aunts place has pure hard water out of a well, and the only complaint I have is that the water pressure is pathetic compared to here in the city, but I think it's a worthy trade off.

 

[jemcam]

I got one at Culligan about 5 years ago, it was really expensive, but they financed it. I had to get it because I was living in Florida and had a well. It removed all the iron from my water, I was getting pissed because my new toilets, tubs and showers had rust stains. I removed them with CLR after I had the softener installed. They never came back.

I have since moved the softener with me twice, and have it in IL now in an old house. It's nice because you use a lot less soap to get suds, and it's better on the plumbing.

 

[HowardStern]

Soft water is better for washing your car.

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

We have well water w/a lot of rust/iron, so it's pretty much a requirement for us. You can rent one and see how you like it, I think some people never buy the unit. Looks like culligan.com has a $9.95/mo deal going on now.