Hard water

I think the water is really hard in my area. Faucets don't last long and have buildup (Lime, sediment?) so that I have to frequently clean them out. The water diverter in my shower gets harder and harder to pull and the one I have now is only a year old and will need replacing soon. My Kitchen faucet (Moen) is less than ten years old and has a dripping handle. My Hot Water Heater (Rheem) just went bad after about 7 years. I know stuff isn't made like it use to be, but I'm wondering if the hard water is contributing, and should I look into a whole house water softening system? I'm worried that it'll be just another thing to fix and maintain.

Beware ones that have a filter as part of the package. The really good filters remove chlorine. While that’s hard on the plumbing, when you remove it, it allows algae to grow. It will come out your faucets, fridge, and grow in your shower. Had that happen to our house.

I used to do maintenance at an industrial laundry. They had a huge softener that would treat all the water coming into the plant, and then a secondary softener that would re-treat the water going into the steam boiler.

First thing to do is have you water tested and see how many grains of hardness you have. if you are above 7 or so you could benefit from a softener. Then you will need to size it appropriately based on your grains of hardness and gallons used per day.

Yes it will be "another thing to maintain", but if you have hard water it will save wear and tear on everything else in your house and will be worth it. Especially stuff like your washing machine, water heater, dishwasher, etc.

This.....

"First thing to do is have you water tested and see how many grains of hardness you have. if you are above 7 or so you could benefit from a softener. Then you will need to size it appropriately based on your grains of hardness and gallons used per day."

And like all things, they require maintenance. I set a reminder on my calendar for maintenance times.

We are on muncipal water and have some problems but nothing like you're describing 😲😳

on the hot water heater did you ever service it? IE; drain and remove the sediment that accumulates in the bottom from the hard water? Should be done yearly and is a PITA. I usually do ours every 2-3 years

the faucets etc. would indicate a really bad case of hard water and I might look into why and if there are other causes/solutions
keep us posted

I've had water softeners in three homes for the past 30 plus years. I would only call it "maintenance" if you're a lazy son-of-a-[censored]. Seriously, how hard is it to carry in an average of a bag of salt per month ?!?! Every few years I do a "cleaning" which involves pouring a quart of some [censored] in the brine tank and cycling the unit.

I don't have any other gizmos in the lines but my wife likes RO water so we have a separate small RO unit.

I do run outdoor water off a line before the softener - no point in watering lawns with soft water !!

And FWIW, we have a kettle and a Keurig that we've been using for over ten years and both look like the day the were made - no mineral buildup whatsoever in either one.

I'll bet you use RO water for the kettle and Keurig, not soft water.

Water softeners ADD salt to your water, I'll pass on that genius idea.

If the house is home run plumbed you can setup for not running soft water to the toilets and outdoor taps. Here I ran soft to the toilets because the water is so hard it screws up the floats in the toilets in short time.
But yeah you should not be drinking softened water, its high in sodium, not good for blood pressure in older dudes especially. I have a zero waste RO system to filter the softened water, I am currently replumbing the house and will be putting the RO onto and unsoftened feed soon.
Residential softeners are pretty low maintenance, I add salt every 3 months and run media cleaner once a year, softener is now 6 years old.

Okay good info thank you.

No, I didn't I know you're supposed to drain yearly but I didn't. I'm fairly convinced water is hard. I've traveled and showered and could immediately tell water was softer just by my skin.

Is there a cause that could be isolated to just my house and not the water in our area?

Thanks.

I don't mind the once a month thing. I wasn't sure what was required. Thanks.

I didn't know it added a substantial amount of salt to drinking water until you and Sniper mentioned that. Um. So selective plumbing sounds necessary.

I'm missing something. Can't figure out what R/O means lol. I think I'd be satisfied to at least shower in softer water.

I'm going to mark the date purchased on my new Water Heater with a sharpie for drain and clean purposes.

RO = Reverse Osmosis

I'm no expert but... I don't think you want a whole house softener. Ours is setup so the outside spigots,drinking water(kitchen cold and fridge) are hard water...everything else is soft. You don't want soft(salty) water as drinking water. Remember...sending soft water to the water heater means salted water to the heater but you want soft/hot water. Heaters are built like junk now...I just had one crap after 4 years and I have a softener. Get a softener that regenerates based on your usage not on time. We put one in a few years back...saves a TON on salt.

not good for lawns

Softeners don't add salt to your water. The salt regenerates the resin that acts on the water. That process adds some sodium to the water which isn't quite the same thing.

Kevin

Old wives tale. There is more salt in a glass of milk !!!

The salt brine is what reacts with the pellets in the tank to "detach" the minerals and flush them away. The tank then goes through a rinse cycle to flush the salt water. There is no salt water in the drinking water. And we've been drinking it for years.

Ever had your water tested?

And yes, it does add sodium to your water.

and I don`t drink that water for that reason.

Lots to consider. Seems diverting or setting up only certain faucets for softened water is a must. I never thought about salt content in water heater too although as mentioned they don't last long as it is.

I don't know what to look for in our water report for the city. I probably need independent test.

If anyone knows what specifically to look for on this report please advise... I'm certain it's hard water though. I can feel on my skin and just by the faucets, etc.

https://www.melbourneflorida.org/de...ities/water-quality/water-quality-report

Spent the winter in south AZ. The water was like liquid concrete and any dried up drips looked the same as salt water. The hot water tank of my RV is likely caked in sediment

Hard water is usually defined as water, which contains a high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. However, hardness can be caused by several other dissolved metals; those forms divalent or multivalent cations, including aluminum, barium, strontium, iron, zinc, and manganese. None of these are reported in your cites drinking water report.

Getting a report on minerals which cause water hardness from your cities drinking water is possible. Although they may test for the minerals, they rarely report them to the public, you can contact them and ask directly if the water is hard.

Without having to go too far out of your way, one of the easiest options for a hard water test is with a clear, clean, empty bottle with a cap, pure liquid soap and water right from your tap. Fill the bottle one-third full, add a few drops of pure liquid soap and shake vigorously for a few seconds. If there is a distinct lack of fluffy bubbles and the water appears cloudy and/or milky, your water is hard. Soft water would have copious bubbles, and the resting water at the bottom of the bottle would be clear. Keep in mind that because most soaps are formulated with detergents, they lather regardless of your water type. For the best results, use a basic soap, such as Castile, which is free of dyes, perfumes and detergents.

Good information, thank you! And I'll try that simple test.

The shower test works too! If it dont lather, its hard as a rock

Well the OP has certainly come to the right place for expert advice !!!

I did sleep in a Motel 6 last night.

I'm guessing you use reverse osmosis (RO) water for the kettle and Keurig, not soft water. Water softeners actually add salt to your water—I'll pass on that "genius" idea.

You can also soften your water with Potassium Chloride, which will not add Sodium to your water.

Lots of great information already given. Most of it right in target.

Do softeners add sodium to drinking water?

Technically yes.

Actuality is that it’s is so minuscule, the FDA rates it significantly LOWER than average untreated water across the country.

Google; Do water softeners add sodium / salt to water.

There’s tons of articles on the subject.

Our eastern Missouri home was constructed 1991.

Water heater gave up in the first year: corroded lower elements.

We got our first water softener. It regenerated every night at 3 AM.

That type of water softener was a salt hog. And it broke down and had to be replaced about every eight years.

Roughly $1500 each replacement: parts/installation and haul away.

About a year ago, and after a LOT of research, we went to an upper end (not top line) Culligan system.

It only regenerates on demand useage. Our salt useage has been reduced by around 80%.

That in itself is a huge improvement for wife and I.

Total cost was around $3200.

I forget what the warranty is exactly, but it is substantial.

My advice: Deal with a dedicated and well reputed “water softener only” company.

Although this is a 2020 video, I find it one of the best in water softener systems, and what to look for based in your individual needs:

https://youtu.be/NYYYKglrKX4?si=1e9Agr3FN11TPlNm

Best of luck!

We have the best water in the world here in northern Illinois, we call it the Lake Michigan Cocktail! Been in the house 35 years and never had a water softener and all the faucets and plumbing are still original when the house was built in 1972. That is one of the main things that keeps me up in this God forsaken state, the water is awesome! I dread the day I move to Tennessee and have to find a place that has good water...

Thanks Cometstorm, good information. Besides the obvious damage I see to faucets and water heater, yes I can feel the difference on my skin. I have dry skin and have to use lotion after every shower (TMI? LOL). I could seriously go a week without washing my hair (I don't) and it would not be oily. I think I wrote earlier that I've traveled to places with soft water and a shower feels so different!

I have an excellent plumber and I'm going to ask him to refer me to a company.

Larry...Have you had a water heater change in the last few years? Hard water really hits them...

And washing machine valves.

Don’t ask me how I know!

I had that happen, opened the door to the front loader and a bunch of water poured out. Thankfully the inlet valves are easy to replace and cheap. They just crust up with minerals and stop sealing.

Yes actually that's kind of what prompted the question. I just replaced my WH and old one didn't last very long. Also faucets get restricted and need cleaning.

I must have ok water. Water heater is 32 years old and works as good as it did when new. Gas powered though. Washer is 32 as well and works good. I just probably jinxed myself.

WOW! The only thing I have that comes close to that age is my clothes washer. Old style, agitator and no digital controls and no water saving b.s. This thing actually cleans your clothes. It's pushing 20 years.

every time i say something about our appliances, shortly thereafter, the one i just bragged about takes the big $hit !
therefore, i ain't sayin' nothin' !!!!!!!!!!!