? for those who have put in water softeners

[ladydoc]

As you know, you can not use water that goes through a water softener to water plants. We are about to have one installed and Hubby just remembered this. How are you getting around this issue?? We have a new tree that needs some deep watering daily for awhile. Thanks

[cpcrofton]

If installed properly, it bypasses water to outdoor hose bibs, use that water to water your plants.

[Bogie Shooter]

We have a bypass on our softner, and often the wife forgets to turn it on. She is an avid gardner so she waters many times with the hose. We have never had a problem of plants dying because of this. Just depletes the soft water and requires an additional regeneration. Not sure why you feel you cannot water with soft water?
The bypass may be on the softner rather than the installation plumbing.

[jblum315]

you can't water with the treated water because it contains residues of salt. I think the outdoor hose bibs bypass the water softener

[Bill-n-Brillo]

...... I think the outdoor hose bibs bypass the water softener

.....if the softener is installed in such a way that has the hose bibs bypassing the softener. Frankly, I think that would be tough to do without cutting into the drywall to so some additional plumbing for those hose bibs.

The most simplistic, least cost way would be to have a bypass valve installed at the softener (if it doesn't already come with one integrated into the softener). When it's time to water the tree, put the valve in bypass mode - all water to the house, etc. will now bypass the softener. You'll probably want to run a bit of water through the hose bib out into the driveway or street to get the softened water out of that line. Downside: Any other water you use anywhere in the house during this time is also bypassing the softener.

Bill :)

[Wing-nut2]

We've never lost a plant to a salt OD. :D

[mrfixit]

As you know, you can not use water that goes through a water softener to water plants. We are about to have one installed and Hubby just remembered this. How are you getting around this issue?? We have a new tree that needs some deep watering daily for awhile. Thanks

......... Just wondering.............IF the concentration of salt PASSING THROUGH the softener INTO our drinking water IS detrimental to plant life.........should WE be "drinking" that water ?....

[ladydoc]

......... Just wondering.............IF the concentration of salt PASSING THROUGH the softener INTO our drinking water IS detrimental to plant life.........should WE be "drinking" that water ?....

The amount of salt in a gallon of water is equal to about the salt in a half piece of bread. Plants and humans do not process salt the same way.

[zcaveman]

My softener has a spigot on the softener pipes that does not go through the conditioning process. It is on the pipe that goes into the softener. I can use it to water outside. It is plain water.

[Sparty6971]

Thinking outside the box a bit consider taping into your irrigation system and not using the home (drinking) water. It is quite easy really to tap into the plastic pipe and add a length of new plastic pipe sticking up with a hose bib on the end. You can pound a long steel rod into the ground next to where the new vertical plastic pipe will be and secure them together for added sturdiness. The irrigation system (that I think all of us have) will never be in your softener system and will therefore be quite safe to use for watering plants. If you are uncomfortable about doing the work, most of the lawn companies would probably be able to do this for you - might cost $50-$75, not sure on that. Probably a LOT cheaper than modifying your home (drinkable) water system to bypass those already existing hose bibs.

Should mention that you should have this vertical pipe and hose bib added at the irrigation manifold area, not along one of the existing spray lines. You want to be able turn on/off the hose bib without running the irrigation system sprayers.

[Ooper]

We've watered plants with softened water for years... never had a problem. Plants always thrived! Never heard you couldn't do this. Probably my plants never heard of it either!

[drdodge]

Go to water boss.com and read up on softners. The salt does not go into the drinking water. It is used only to clean the filter system. I have had a water boos for two tears and love it. they can bo bought at Home Dept for about 500 dollars. and get a plumber to install or do it yourself
drd

[villagegolfer]

Go to water boss.com and read up on softners. The salt does not go into the drinking water. It is used only to clean the filter system. I have had a water boos for two tears and love it. they can bo bought at Home Dept for about 500 dollars. and get a plumber to install or do it yourself
drd

Can you tell me how much the salt will cost yearly? Did glasses from dishwasher come out cleaner?

[drdodge]

It takes about one bag a month. a bag cost around 5 diollars
drd

[villagegolfer]

It takes about one bag a month. a bag cost around 5 diollars
drd

Thanks, do you lose any water pressure?

[drdodge]

no you do not lose any water pressure
drd

[ladydoc]

We've watered plants with softened water for years... never had a problem. Plants always thrived! Never heard you couldn't do this. Probably my plants never heard of it either!

We were told by the salesman, our neighbors who had them and the water experts at Sears waterline to not use water that went through the conditioner on plants. What can I say...this is what the experts told me.....

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I appreciate it and I will ask about where the bipass valve is.

[JohnN]

on another thread, someone posted a Kansas State study that says there is added salt in the conditioned water. So, a couple of thoughts:

1) use potassium chloride instead, the plants and people love it. It's about $20/bag instead of the $5 bag for salt.
2) My understanding is that the outside bibs contain "non-potable" water for irrigation only. Maybe I'm wrong and that's only the sprinkler?? But I thought I'd heard you shouldn't drink from an outside hose, it's not treated (and thus not conditioned either).

[philnpat]

on another thread, someone posted a Kansas State study that says there is added salt in the conditioned water. So, a couple of thoughts:

1) use potassium chloride instead, the plants and people love it. It's about $20/bag instead of the $5 bag for salt.
2) My understanding is that the outside bibs contain "non-potable" water for irrigation only. Maybe I'm wrong and that's only the sprinkler?? But I thought I'd heard you shouldn't drink from an outside hose, it's not treated (and thus not conditioned either).

The outside bibs are potable water. Only the irrigation system is non-potable water

[Bogie Shooter]

on another thread, someone posted a Kansas State study that says there is added salt in the conditioned water. So, a couple of thoughts:

1) use potassium chloride instead, the plants and people love it. It's about $20/bag instead of the $5 bag for salt.
2) My understanding is that the outside bibs contain "non-potable" water for irrigation only. Maybe I'm wrong and that's only the sprinkler?? But I thought I'd heard you shouldn't drink from an outside hose, it's not treated (and thus not conditioned either).

#2, you really got some bad information. I would go back to that person for a further explanation.
It is potable, don't drink from the sprinklers in your yard.:yuck: