I've been thinking of a water softener because I'm tired of scrubbing
lime off my sinks and tubs. I've read some of the suggestions about
using wax on faucets and was wondering if your happy with this
alternative? I have a shower filter that works great for taking out
chlorine but I don't think it does much for lime. I also have a heavy
duty counter top filter that attaches to the faucet for drinking
water.

I have heard some people say that by softening the water you take out
minerals that your body needs. Then another site I was reading says
that most of those minerals you get from regular food and you would
need to drink a bathtub full of water to get your requirements so it
doesn't matter anyway.

So what do you think? I was looking at a cheap whirlpool model and the
reviews seem to be better on those than the boss menards sells.

thanks

On Sun, 12 Sep 2010 13:01:07 -0700 (PDT), Spork
wrote:

I've been thinking of a water softener because I'm tired of scrubbing
lime off my sinks and tubs. I've read some of the suggestions about
using wax on faucets and was wondering if your happy with this
alternative? I have a shower filter that works great for taking out
chlorine but I don't think it does much for lime. I also have a heavy
duty counter top filter that attaches to the faucet for drinking
water.

I have heard some people say that by softening the water you take out
minerals that your body needs. Then another site I was reading says
that most of those minerals you get from regular food and you would
need to drink a bathtub full of water to get your requirements so it
doesn't matter anyway.

So what do you think? I was looking at a cheap whirlpool model and the
reviews seem to be better on those than the boss menards sells.

thanks

You have to take into account other things. Water hardness, proper
sizing of the softener, etc. Even potential damage to appliances
(water heater/dishwasher/clothes washer, etc.) from minerals.

A "cheap" unit is not the answer, regardless of the reviews. How much
is "cheap for the unit you reviewed?

A call to your water utility may answer the hardness issues or find
them on the 'net for your location. This site is run by a former
poster here and has great information.

http://www.qualitywaterassociates.com/index.htm

On Monday, September 13, 2010 2:21:42 AM UTC+5:30, Oren wrote:
On Sun, 12 Sep 2010 13:01:07 -0700 (PDT), Spork
wrote:

I've been thinking of a water softener because I'm tired of scrubbing
lime off my sinks and tubs. I've read some of the suggestions about
using wax on faucets and was wondering if your happy with this
alternative? I have a shower filter that works great for taking out
chlorine but I don't think it does much for lime. I also have a heavy
duty counter top filter that attaches to the faucet for drinking
water.

I have heard some people say that by softening the water you take out
minerals that your body needs. Then another site I was reading says
that most of those minerals you get from regular food and you would
need to drink a bathtub full of water to get your requirements so it
doesn't matter anyway.

So what do you think? I was looking at a cheap whirlpool model and the
reviews seem to be better on those than the boss menards sells.

thanks

You have to take into account other things. Water hardness, proper
sizing of the softener, etc. Even potential damage to appliances
(water heater/dishwasher/clothes washer, etc.) from minerals.

A "cheap" unit is not the answer, regardless of the reviews. How much
is "cheap for the unit you reviewed?

A call to your water utility may answer the hardness issues or find
them on the 'net for your location. This site is run by a former
poster here and has great information.

http://www.qualitywaterassociates.com/index.htm

http://usemyreviews.com/water-softener-reviews/

"Spork" wrote in message
...
I've been thinking of a water softener because I'm tired of scrubbing
lime off my sinks and tubs. I've read some of the suggestions about
using wax on faucets and was wondering if your happy with this
alternative? I have a shower filter that works great for taking out
chlorine but I don't think it does much for lime. I also have a heavy
duty counter top filter that attaches to the faucet for drinking
water.

I have heard some people say that by softening the water you take out
minerals that your body needs. Then another site I was reading says
that most of those minerals you get from regular food and you would
need to drink a bathtub full of water to get your requirements so it
doesn't matter anyway.

So what do you think? I was looking at a cheap whirlpool model and the
reviews seem to be better on those than the boss menards sells.

thanks

I love my water softener (Rain Soft). We don't have any of the scaling
problem we used to get in our old house. We don't have to drain out water
heater, coffee machine stays clean, and showers stay cleaner,. Down side is,
if you drink a lot of water you need to be careful about the sodium intake.
They are not recommended for people with high blood pressure. You can use
potassium but it's way more expensive than salt.
If you get one installed be sure to get separate lines for your yard (or
pool if you have one) because you don't want to put all that salt in your
yard because it builds up over time. Plus, I got a under the sink water
filter that takes the salt out of our drinking water (don't for get the ice
machine, soft water doesn't make very good ice). As a side note: If getting
seperate lines is too expensive, you can shut your ws off while watering the
yard.

I think you're probably right about the nutritional aspect but I think that
is determined by how much water you drink. My father-in-law is a chemist and
he says soft-water can actually deplete you of minerals. I just ignore him
g.

Jim

On Sep 12, 10:33*pm, "JimT" wrote:
"Spork" wrote in message

...





I've been thinking of a water softener because I'm tired of scrubbing
lime off my sinks and tubs. I've read some of the suggestions about
using wax on faucets and was wondering if your happy with this
alternative? I have a shower filter that works great for taking out
chlorine but I don't think it does much for lime. I also have a heavy
duty counter top filter that attaches to the faucet for drinking
water.

I have heard some people say that by softening the water you take out
minerals that your body needs. Then another site I was reading says
that most of those minerals you get from regular food and you would
need to drink a bathtub full of water to get your requirements so it
doesn't matter anyway.

So what do you think? I was looking at a cheap whirlpool model and the
reviews seem to be better on those than the boss menards sells.

thanks

I love my water softener (Rain Soft). We don't have any of the scaling
problem we used to get in our old house. We don't have to drain out water
heater, coffee machine stays clean, and showers stay cleaner,. Down side is,
if you drink a lot of water you need to be careful about the sodium intake.
They are not recommended for people with high blood pressure. You can use
potassium but it's way more expensive than salt.
If you get one installed be sure to get separate lines for your yard (or
pool if you have one) because you don't want to put all that salt in your
yard because it builds up over time. Plus, I got a under the sink water
filter that takes the salt out of our drinking water (don't for get the ice
machine, soft water doesn't make very good ice). As a side note: If getting
seperate lines is too expensive, you can shut your ws off while watering the
yard.

I think you're probably right about the nutritional aspect but I think that
is determined by how much water you drink. My father-in-law is a chemist and
he says soft-water can actually deplete you of minerals. I just ignore him
g.

Jim- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

He's right. You shouldn't ignore him.

"Spork" wrote in message
...
I've been thinking of a water softener because I'm tired of scrubbing
lime off my sinks and tubs. I've read some of the suggestions about
using wax on faucets and was wondering if your happy with this
alternative? I have a shower filter that works great for taking out
chlorine but I don't think it does much for lime. I also have a heavy
duty counter top filter that attaches to the faucet for drinking
water.

I have heard some people say that by softening the water you take out
minerals that your body needs. Then another site I was reading says
that most of those minerals you get from regular food and you would
need to drink a bathtub full of water to get your requirements so it
doesn't matter anyway.

So what do you think? I was looking at a cheap whirlpool model and the
reviews seem to be better on those than the boss menards sells.

thanks


Our town government recommends water softeners and that means a lot because
they require a lot of water to work and flush down to the sewer. Our water
is 25 hardness.

Don't get one form a big box store. They are built with poor quality resins.
If you do get a softener I recommend one from Eco Water direct. They can be
programmed to your needs. A good water softener should last 20 to 25 years.
Big box store types last 7 maybe. You can rent them but I'd avoid culligan
rentals. They are know for overpricing and hard selling and have been
bankrupted a few times. At least EcoWater is Berkshire Hathaway. there
are better models than Ecowater, like kinetico but you pay.

Yes the minerals you need are depleted fro the water but you can make this
up with vitamins!! new water softeners add about 40 to 80 mg of salt to
you daily intake. Don't ever water your plants or lawn with softener water.
It's a waste and it's nutrient deficient from the plant. Softened water
allow your washing machine, dishwasher and shower soaps to all clean better.

The unit I have is this
http://www.ecowater.ca/en/products/r...rs/err3500.php.
it has a built in charcoal filter like a Brita system as well.

On Sep 12, 3:58*pm, "The Henchman" wrote:
"Spork" wrote in message

...



I've been thinking of a water softener because I'm tired of scrubbing
lime off my sinks and tubs. I've read some of the suggestions about
using wax on faucets and was wondering if your happy with this
alternative? I have a shower filter that works great for taking out
chlorine but I don't think it does much for lime. I also have a heavy
duty counter top filter that attaches to the faucet for drinking
water.

I have heard some people say that by softening the water you take out
minerals that your body needs. Then another site I was reading says
that most of those minerals you get from regular food and you would
need to drink a bathtub full of water to get your requirements so it
doesn't matter anyway.

So what do you think? I was looking at a cheap whirlpool model and the
reviews seem to be better on those than the boss menards sells.

thanks

Our town government recommends water softeners and that means a lot because
they require a lot of water to work and flush down to the sewer. *Our water
is 25 hardness.

Don't get one form a big box store. They are built with poor quality resins.
If you do get a softener I recommend one from Eco Water direct. *They can be
programmed to your needs. *A good water softener should last 20 to 25 years.
Big box store types last 7 maybe. *You can rent them but I'd avoid culligan
rentals. *They are know for overpricing and hard selling and have been
bankrupted a few times. * At least EcoWater is Berkshire Hathaway. *there
are better models than Ecowater, like kinetico but you pay.

Yes the minerals you need are depleted fro the water but you can make this
up with vitamins!! * new water softeners add about 40 to 80 mg of salt to
you daily intake. *Don't ever water your plants or lawn with softener water.
It's a waste and it's nutrient deficient from the plant. *Softened water
allow your washing machine, dishwasher and shower soaps to all clean better.

The unit I have is thishttp://www.ecowater.ca/en/products/residential/water_conditioners_sof....
it has a built in charcoal filter like a Brita system as well.

==
I have used "softened" water for twenty years on my house plants and
have had NO problems whatsoever. I use a commercial liquid fertilizer
and my African violets thrive, my hoya thrives and even my cacti do
well.

Before the use of an iron remover and softener, I couldn't see the
bottom of the bath tub as the iron content was so evident. Now it is
clear and nearly iron free. My laundry whites are no longer dark brown
and the hose filters to the washer rarely accumulate much residue.

==

On Sep 12, 10:58*pm, "The Henchman" wrote:
"Spork" wrote in message

...





I've been thinking of a water softener because I'm tired of scrubbing
lime off my sinks and tubs. I've read some of the suggestions about
using wax on faucets and was wondering if your happy with this
alternative? I have a shower filter that works great for taking out
chlorine but I don't think it does much for lime. I also have a heavy
duty counter top filter that attaches to the faucet for drinking
water.

I have heard some people say that by softening the water you take out
minerals that your body needs. Then another site I was reading says
that most of those minerals you get from regular food and you would
need to drink a bathtub full of water to get your requirements so it
doesn't matter anyway.

So what do you think? I was looking at a cheap whirlpool model and the
reviews seem to be better on those than the boss menards sells.

thanks

Our town government recommends water softeners and that means a lot because
they require a lot of water to work and flush down to the sewer. *Our water
is 25 hardness.

Don't get one form a big box store. They are built with poor quality resins.
If you do get a softener I recommend one from Eco Water direct. *They can be
programmed to your needs. *A good water softener should last 20 to 25 years.
Big box store types last 7 maybe. *You can rent them but I'd avoid culligan
rentals. *They are know for overpricing and hard selling and have been
bankrupted a few times. * At least EcoWater is Berkshire Hathaway. *there
are better models than Ecowater, like kinetico but you pay.

Yes the minerals you need are depleted fro the water but you can make this
up with vitamins!! * new water softeners add about 40 to 80 mg of salt to
you daily intake. *Don't ever water your plants or lawn with softener water.
It's a waste and it's nutrient deficient from the plant. *Softened water
allow your washing machine, dishwasher and shower soaps to all clean better.

The unit I have is thishttp://www.ecowater.ca/en/products/residential/water_conditioners_sof....
it has a built in charcoal filter like a Brita system as well.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Vitamins are not the same as minerals. Vitamin pills are yet another
fad to take money off you. You need to improve your diet, not ingest a
load of crap.

thank you everyone for the helpful replies. Someone also contacted me
by email claiming the easy water system has worked wonders for them
and that they are not affiliated in anyway. So I started googling.
Some say no way its a gimmick, others say maybe, and some swear by it.
Anyone here have experience with it?

I think getting my water tested will be a good start. I still have
concerns about sodium ions, salt or whatever you call it in the
drinking water. It may not seem like much but you never know after
years of use. Maybe a ro under the sink would work for me but I just
bought one of the nice counter top models with a carbon filter.I'm
curious to see if the shower filter reduces lime build up over time.
Surprisingly I don't think those are a gimmick and feels better on the
skin without chlorine. Maybe the water here isn't really that bad its
just that I want a very minimal effort on cleaning. I just read
another tip that wd-40 does wonders on fiberglass and keeps minerals
from attaching. I may try this but be careful not to get on the bottom
of the tub.