I moved to a home with a well 2 1/2 years ago, my first home with a well, so
managing it is all new to me.

I have colleagues and neighbors who have warned that if the pH of the well
water is low (acidic) and you have copper pipes, you could develop pinhole
leaks, and recommend a water softener/conditioner system to soften the water
and balance the pH.

We use a filter for drinking water, and the house has a screen type of
filter for large particulates.

I have mostly plastic pipes, so I don't have to worry about pinhole leaks.
However, since we bought the house (it is now 10 years old), we have had to
replace both sink faucets in the second upstairs bathroom. On the most
recent one, the plumber said there were signs of erosion, some greenish
deposits, and suggested we get his company to give an estimate for a
softener/conditioner system.

I got the estimate, and the plumber who gave the estimate tested the water,
and said that the pH was a little low (slightly acidic). He did say that
this could lead to future failure of faucets and the water heater, as well
as stains/deposits in sinks and toilets. We have had no stains or deposits
ever.

The estimate is $3000 (!!).

I'm not sure what to do (invest in this softener/conditioner system, or not
and hope for the best). In the meantime I will get at least one more
estimate.

If I have to replace a faucet once every few years, it will be a long time
before I spend the same as for this conditioner system. Also, the house is
10 years old, so even if I get such a system, it will not reverse 10 years
of acidic water running through the fixtures. I may have fixtures fail
anyway.

We're thinking of downsizing once our youngest starts college in 7 1/2
years, so I'd hate to make such a large investment. On the other hand, if
I'm on the verge of multiple fixtures failing, that isn't good either.

Any advice?

"Dimitrios Paskoudniakis" wrote in message

I have mostly plastic pipes, so I don't have to worry about pinhole leaks.
However, since we bought the house (it is now 10 years old), we have had
to replace both sink faucets in the second upstairs bathroom. On the most
recent one, the plumber said there were signs of erosion, some greenish
deposits, and suggested we get his company to give an estimate for a
softener/conditioner system.

I got the estimate, and the plumber who gave the estimate tested the
water, and said that the pH was a little low (slightly acidic). He did
say that this could lead to future failure of faucets and the water
heater, as well as stains/deposits in sinks and toilets. We have had no
stains or deposits ever.

The estimate is $3000 (!!).

Sounds like they may be trying to panic you. . What is the pH? Surely they
gave you a number. If not, they are probably hiding something.

Get your water tested by an independent source (pool places can do pH) and
work from there. While acidic water can cause some of the problems
mentioned, unless you know actual numbers and the potential effects, you
cannnot make an informed decision. Talk to a couple of water treatment
specialists and see if they would be concerned and what solutions they
offer.

Unless we know the numbers, no one here can make a practical suggestion
either.

Dimitrios Paskoudniakis wrote:
I moved to a home with a well 2 1/2 years ago, my first home with a well, so
managing it is all new to me.

I have colleagues and neighbors who have warned that if the pH of the well
water is low (acidic) and you have copper pipes, you could develop pinhole
leaks, and recommend a water softener/conditioner system to soften the water
and balance the pH.

We use a filter for drinking water, and the house has a screen type of
filter for large particulates.

I have mostly plastic pipes, so I don't have to worry about pinhole leaks.
However, since we bought the house (it is now 10 years old), we have had to
replace both sink faucets in the second upstairs bathroom. On the most
recent one, the plumber said there were signs of erosion, some greenish
deposits, and suggested we get his company to give an estimate for a
softener/conditioner system.

I got the estimate, and the plumber who gave the estimate tested the water,
and said that the pH was a little low (slightly acidic). He did say that
this could lead to future failure of faucets and the water heater, as well
as stains/deposits in sinks and toilets. We have had no stains or deposits
ever.

The estimate is $3000 (!!).


I have the same concern. My well water pH runs around 6 to 6.5. House
is about 35 years old and I can recall having 2 pinhole leaks fixed.
The last about 8 years ago. I don't have greenish stains which would be
indicative of copper and have resisted adding treatment system. I've
replaced most of the faucets and water heaters only last about 7 years.

Treatment systems besides high cost, require maintenance. I balance this
with occasional inconvenience of plumbing repair. I would not let the
plumber panic me.

Frank

For potable water, you want the pH to be between 6 and 9 units. 6 to 6.5 is
a little on the lower side but by no means acid or a problem.


"Frank" frankdotlogullo@comcastperiodnet wrote in message
. ..
Dimitrios Paskoudniakis wrote:
I moved to a home with a well 2 1/2 years ago, my first home with a well,
so managing it is all new to me.

I have colleagues and neighbors who have warned that if the pH of the
well water is low (acidic) and you have copper pipes, you could develop
pinhole leaks, and recommend a water softener/conditioner system to
soften the water and balance the pH.

We use a filter for drinking water, and the house has a screen type of
filter for large particulates.

I have mostly plastic pipes, so I don't have to worry about pinhole
leaks. However, since we bought the house (it is now 10 years old), we
have had to replace both sink faucets in the second upstairs bathroom.
On the most recent one, the plumber said there were signs of erosion,
some greenish deposits, and suggested we get his company to give an
estimate for a softener/conditioner system.

I got the estimate, and the plumber who gave the estimate tested the
water, and said that the pH was a little low (slightly acidic). He did
say that this could lead to future failure of faucets and the water
heater, as well as stains/deposits in sinks and toilets. We have had no
stains or deposits ever.

The estimate is $3000 (!!).


I have the same concern. My well water pH runs around 6 to 6.5. House is
about 35 years old and I can recall having 2 pinhole leaks fixed. The last
about 8 years ago. I don't have greenish stains which would be indicative
of copper and have resisted adding treatment system. I've replaced most of
the faucets and water heaters only last about 7 years.

Treatment systems besides high cost, require maintenance. I balance this
with occasional inconvenience of plumbing repair. I would not let the
plumber panic me.

Frank

Dimitrios Paskoudniakis wrote:
I moved to a home with a well 2 1/2 years ago, my first home with a
well, so managing it is all new to me.

I have colleagues and neighbors who have warned that if the pH of
the well water is low (acidic) and you have copper pipes, you could
develop pinhole leaks, and recommend a water softener/conditioner
system to soften the water and balance the pH.

We use a filter for drinking water, and the house has a screen type
of filter for large particulates.

I have mostly plastic pipes, so I don't have to worry about pinhole
leaks. However, since we bought the house (it is now 10 years old),
we have had to replace both sink faucets in the second upstairs
bathroom. On the most recent one, the plumber said there were
signs of erosion, some greenish deposits, and suggested we get his
company to give an estimate for a softener/conditioner system.

I got the estimate, and the plumber who gave the estimate tested
the water, and said that the pH was a little low (slightly acidic).
He did say that this could lead to future failure of faucets and
the water heater, as well as stains/deposits in sinks and toilets.
We have had no stains or deposits ever.

The estimate is $3000 (!!).
Any advice?

He's trying to screw you. You should be able to get a softener
installed for a 1/3 of that; closer to 1/4 if you do it yourself (not
hard). You can also rent them from Culligan for $25/month or so -
more expensive than buying but no maintenance.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

On Feb 18, 7:21*pm, "Li" wrote:
For potable water, you want the pH to be between 6 and 9 units. *6 to 6.5 is
a little on the lower side but by no means acid or a problem.

Certainly not a major problem but plumber has pointed out that my
plumbing has corroded more rapidly than if pH was higher. It was just
last month that I replaced the leaky water heater. It was still under
warranty but service charge was about $400. You have to balance this
with the outlay of $3,000 for a treatment system quoted from the op.
Plus softeners add salt to the water, replacing Ca with Na and if on a
low salt diet, like me, you may need to drink bottled water.

On Feb 18, 5:32*pm, "Dimitrios Paskoudniakis"
wrote:
I moved to a home with a well 2 1/2 years ago, my first home with a well, so
managing it is all new to me.

I have colleagues and neighbors who have warned that if thepHof the well
water is low (acidic) and you have copper pipes, you could develop pinhole
leaks, andrecommenda water softener/conditioner system to soften the water
and balance thepH.

We use a filter for drinking water, and the house has a screen type of
filter for large particulates.

I have mostly plastic pipes, so I don't have to worry about pinhole leaks.
However, since we bought the house (it is now 10 years old), we have had to
replace both sink faucets in the second upstairs bathroom. *On the most
recent one, the plumber said there were signs of erosion, some greenish
deposits, and suggested we get his company to give an estimate for a
softener/conditioner system.

I got the estimate, and the plumber who gave the estimate tested the water,
and said that thepHwas a little low (slightly acidic). *He did say that
this could lead to future failure of faucets and the water heater, as well
as stains/deposits in sinks and toilets. *We have had no stains or deposits
ever.

The estimate is $3000 (!!).

I'm not sure what to do (invest in this softener/conditioner system, or not
and hope for the best). *In the meantime I will get at least one more
estimate.

If I have to replace a faucet once every few years, it will be a long time
before I spend the same as for this conditioner system. *Also, the house is
10 years old, so even if I get such a system, it will not reverse 10 years
of acidic water running through the fixtures. *I may have fixtures fail
anyway.

We're thinking of downsizing once our youngest starts college in 7 1/2
years, so I'd hate to make such a large investment. *On the other hand, if
I'm on the verge of multiple fixtures failing, that isn't good either.

Any advice?


If you really need water treatment,
talk to Gary Slusser at http://www.qualitywaterassociates.com/
Get one of his custom softener systems with a Clack controller !

-Bill