Water filters, etc.

[villagetinker]

Immediately after moving in I was contacted by 2-3 companies selling water treatment systems. Having absolutely no information on the area or the existing water, I told all of them to give me a few weeks to get settled and figure out what I was going to do.

I next did some research on the existing water quality, versus the scares tactics I was shown. Outside of high chlorine, hardness, and sediment, the water is well below all other areas that are tested.

I decided to install my own system, I picked a Sears water softener, and Sears whole house filter, total cost less then $800. Then I hired a plumber to install the plumbing and drain system, add another $600.
I then went out and purchased the same water testing kits I saw the vendors using for chlorine and hardness, and PH, and an additional unit for salt content.

DRUM ROLL HERE.......

The results, I have very nice soft water (wife is really happy), PH is neutral, No sediment, NO chlorine, and NO salt. Maintenance is add salt to the system as needed, probably under $100 year, and I saved a couple of thousand dollars over the water treatment systems that were being pushed on me and several hundred dollars per year potentials in maintenance costs.

I hope this helps others trying to decide what to do, there are other options.

[leftyf]

We listened to a man from GE who gave us the same spiel. His price to "FIX" our water was $5,500. If we find we do have a water problem we will go the same route as Tinker. Be careful of these sales people.

[hema54]

We called the plumber who did the plumbing in the house. He has a small no salt system, just replace the filters a couple times a year. Under $400 intalled. Someone elese tried to sell us the same kind of system for 2, 500.

[buzzy]

Immediately after moving in I was contacted by 2-3 companies selling water treatment systems. Having absolutely no information on the area or the existing water, I told all of them to give me a few weeks to get settled and figure out what I was going to do.

I next did some research on the existing water quality, versus the scares tactics I was shown. Outside of high chlorine, hardness, and sediment, the water is well below all other areas that are tested.

I decided to install my own system, I picked a Sears water softener, and Sears whole house filter, total cost less then $800. Then I hired a plumber to install the plumbing and drain system, add another $600.
I then went out and purchased the same water testing kits I saw the vendors using for chlorine and hardness, and PH, and an additional unit for salt content.

DRUM ROLL HERE.......

The results, I have very nice soft water (wife is really happy), PH is neutral, No sediment, NO chlorine, and NO salt. Maintenance is add salt to the system as needed, probably under $100 year, and I saved a couple of thousand dollars over the water treatment systems that were being pushed on me and several hundred dollars per year potentials in maintenance costs.

I hope this helps others trying to decide what to do, there are other options.

Good for you. We had a plumber put in the small Water Boss system and a charcoal filter. Since ours drains into a shrub bed next to the garage, we use the more expensive potassium chloride to protect the plants.

[Whit53]

We are new home owners and I'm just wondering, do we need a water system? We've only been there for a week last minth and didn't notice any problems with the water. The water tasted fine (it was out of the fridge which is filtered). Just wondering if its something we should plan on purchasing when we are there full time in a couple weeks.

Thanks for your guidance in advance.

[villagetinker]

This is really a matter of taste (pardon the pun). The water is hard, so we were already planning on a water softener. After my own investigation, we decided to add the filter to eliminate the chlorine, as well as any other stuff the filter was designed to remove.

This whole situation is somewhat confusing, as I have talked to people who have done nothing, to those who have installed the very expensive filtering schemes.

My suggestion, live here for a while, and see what YOU think of the water. If you have no problems, then great. If to find water hardness annoying, then go with a softener, if you can taste the chlorine, add the filter.

Hope this helps.

[rjm1cc]

We are new home owners and I'm just wondering, do we need a water system? We've only been there for a week last minth and didn't notice any problems with the water. The water tasted fine (it was out of the fridge which is filtered). Just wondering if its something we should plan on purchasing when we are there full time in a couple weeks.

Thanks for your guidance in advance.
Taste would be the main reason to get one. Hard water may be a reason but you can probably work around this with different soap or additives.
Try the current set up for 6 months before you consider one.

[peggyb]

When we moved here we couldn't take the bad taste of the water, and especially the ice from the freezer water line. We installed a filter unit in the garage at the water pipe ourselves, uses small filters we replace every couple months, and the whole thing from Lowes cost under $100. Water tastes great, ice taste great, and we considered it an easy fix. My husband ended up installing the same unit in a couple neighbors houses, and they all feel it works fine too. No reason to spend thousands of dollars!

[donb9006]

The water here is hard, mine is 7.9 or 135 PPM, but that's on the low side of "hard". I don't notice a problem with my water and I HATE the "unclean" feeling I get bathing in soft water. I feel slimy. The thing is...soft water makes the soap stick to your skin. And I can't stand that "can't rinse off" feeling I get from soft water.

I drink filtered water just to eliminate the chlorine.

[Rollie]

The whole house filter system is the way to go. Easy to install yourself, or you can have it done for less than 400 dollars. The problem with the water in TV is chlorine and lime (the sediment left on your clothes and dishes after washing) These lime deposits, I'm told, also cause Florida to have one of the highest case rates of kidney stones in the country. These same lime deposits are the reason you have to change you fridge and under sink filters so often. Whole house filters are much cheaper to replace.

Rollie

[Lovey2]

We have a Pegasus whole home system. Yes, it was rather expensive and maybe we could have done it for less, but.....I'm so glad we got it. I didn't realize what an effect that water was having on virtually EVERYTHING in the house. We were only here a month when my husband got it for the taste, but it does so much more. My washer repairman commented it would keep my appliances running better, longer. My friends came in and commented on how "shiny" and clean my utensils and dishes were. I got 3 years worth of cleaning products which are more natural and chemical free...right down to shampoo and oatmeal soaps. I don't use fabric softener anymore, nor do I have to oil my skin as much to keep it soft. So, I think the Pegasus system was worth it, I liked our sales person and the installer and would heartily recommend it to anyone looking for a system.