[JohnN]

How hard is the water around here, does anyone know?
I saw some online info stating water hardness as follows:

Hard - If the Total Hardness of your water is 10.5 Grains (180 ppm) or less
Very Hard - If it ranges between 10.5 and 15 Grains (180 to 257 ppm)
Extremely Hard - Total Hardness exceeds 15 Grains (257ppm).

It is hard, I can tell, but now I'm wondering if the magnetic conditioners will fix it (affordably) or I'll have to develop a plan B.

[Bogie Shooter]

Did a search on hard water.....hear are some thoughts:
water testing

[JohnN]

Bogie Shooter, that's interesting info, and mostly what I'd guess about 'em.
I'd still like to see some data on how hard the water is. if unknown here I'll be a~callin' the water company. I just thought someone may know this - and if they do, they're really smart! LOL

[Bogie Shooter]

Probably every softner salesman gets a different reading.
I have a Culligan and you can tell a difference.
I don't recall the water co. providing hardness readings, but I could be wrong.

[SABRMnLgs]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents. My son-in-law is V.P. of the Central Florida branch of Rainsoft. We've had a water softener from them for abou 6 years. It's a great thing and very easy to maintain. They come out, set it up and make sure it works well. Onliest thing I do is add the salt every 3-4 months.
If you give them a call, they will come out and test your water for you.
Don't believe they are in the Viallges phone book but they are in the Leesburg-Eustis-Tavares book.

[JohnN]

well I've concluded the magnetic ones don't work,
seems either the ion replacement (ie: Culligan) or to do without.
I'll mull it over. Thanks for all the input.

I still may contact the water dept and ask about the actual data for hardness.

[zcaveman]

I had a water softener (salt base) in NJ because I had a well. When I moved th TV I got a water softener (potassium chloride base). I liked it. Water tasted good and I felt clean after a shower. I was put on a low potassium diet so I shut it down. Water tasted from bad to chlorinated. I did not feel right after a shower. I had the system switched to salt and am tasting good water and feeling great after the shower.

Z

[Bogie Shooter]

Don't forget Home Depot and Lowes for the DIY.

[Peazoup]

Could someone please explain the salt thing and what it does? I have a water apparatus in my garage and have to add salt occasionally, but don't know why or how or anything.

[Peazoup]

Bump. What is the salt for?

[chuckinca]

Read this Wikipedia article and you probably will still not know. LOL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_softeners


.

[handieman]

Originally Posted by Peazoup

Could someone please explain the salt thing and what it does? I have a water apparatus in my garage and have to add salt occasionally, but don't know why or how or anything.

I'm no chemist but I believe the Zeolite softening chemical absorbs the minerals in the water and has to be rejuvenated with a brine solution (salt water). This recycling happens on a regular basis determined by a timer (some by usage). The waste water is then flushed out of the softener and continues to absorb minerals till the next flush.
I installed my own, bought at Walmarts. Not recommended for a DYI person unless you have plumbing expereince.
Handie

[handieman]

PS
I have no clue what the hardness level is here in TV. I do know that using my water softener is a must. Showers feel so much better and laundry comes cleaner and brighter. My water softener is third on my favorites list after my wife and the dog
Handie