[chrisinva]

We're thinking of getting a water softener installed. Spouse has heard about & is kind of worried about the build-up of gunk/scale in the pipes which could lead to (costly) repairs or replacement of current pipes. Heard the build-up of gunk/scale reduces the effectiveness of the flush function. About once every 10 days we might need to flush 2x.

House was built in 2019; we're the first owners, been here 6 yrs now, Fenney area. Only the two of us, each aged 70+. Plan on staying till ...we exit feet first.

What are pros & cons of a water softener? (besides having a hard time rinsing in the shower) Thanks!

[retiredguy123]

The Villages potable water supply is pretty average. Not particularly hard or soft water. I have never had a water softener anywhere I have lived, and I have never incurred any additional plumbing expense.

[Bill14564]

Water softener will make the soap in the shower go farther (you will use less).

When you mention flushing, you are referring to the toilet? The water softener has nothing to do with that, the flushing is caused by the water already in the tank and not the water coming through the pipes.

I don’t believe a water softener has anything to do with gunk in pipes. I can’t think of what it might do to cause that or prevent it.

We had one in MD but not here (Brownwood area). I notice the difference but don’t feel I need one here. Been here part time since 2018 and full time since 2020. Some small amount of mineral buildup but nothing significant. I like that I no longer need to worry about keeping salt in the tank or where the waste water is going.

[Whatnext]

We have had a water softener installed for over 30 years. To my mind there are no drawbacks, and it will give pipe work a new lease of life.
You save a lot on washing detergents, soap and shampoo as well. You can pretty much halve consumption.
Never had a problem rinsing either.
No limescale build up on shower glass, tiles, or tap and shower heads.
You must have a mains supply to water tap in kitchen for cooking and drinking, as softened water is not recommend for drinking.
JMTC.

PS. Plumb the waste water into main drain pipe for disposal during cleaning.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Whatnext

We have had a water softener installed for over 30 years. To my mind there are no drawbacks, and it will give pipe work a new lease of life.
You save a lot on washing detergents, soap and shampoo as well. You can pretty much halve consumption.
Never had a problem rinsing either.
No limescale build up on shower glass, tiles, or tap and shower heads.
You must have a mains supply to water tap in kitchen for cooking and drinking, as softened water is not recommend for drinking.
JMTC.

PS. Plumb the waste water into main drain pipe for disposal during cleaning.

Don't you need to offset the cost savings on detergents with the cost to purchase, operate, and maintain the water softener?

I don't know exactly what you mean by a new lease on life for water pipes, but there are many houses in The Villages that are more than 30 years old with no water softener, and the pipes have never needed to be replaced.

[Bill14564]

Have never heard of a problem with cooking and drinking softened water. Did it for 20 years in MD.

My sewer line is nowhere near the location where I would install a softener so plumbing it in is not ideal. Directly connecting seems to be not recommended anyway.

[JRcorvette]

Originally Posted by chrisinva

We're thinking of getting a water softener installed. Spouse has heard about & is kind of worried about the build-up of gunk/scale in the pipes which could lead to (costly) repairs or replacement of current pipes. Heard the build-up of gunk/scale reduces the effectiveness of the flush function. About once every 10 days we might need to flush 2x.

House was built in 2019; we're the first owners, been here 6 yrs now, Fenney area. Only the two of us, each aged 70+. Plan on staying till ...we exit feet first.

What are pros & cons of a water softener? (besides having a hard time rinsing in the shower) Thanks!

Hate them… they are a pain and constant upkeep! No thanks

[Pondboy]

We’re in the Fenney area as well and got one 2 yrs ago.

Pros ; better for skin, sudsier soap, minimal calcium buildup on shower, faucets, etc., better tasting water. Won’t need to use a water filter in your refrigerator.

Cons ; takes up room in garage, it’s an added expense, waste water needs to drain somewhere (hopefully not in a flower bed), need to buy salt / potassium (potassium more expensive), salt/potassium bags be heavy (40 lbs I think, they need to be added to unit). You’ll also need an electrical outlet to plug it into.

I think it was worth it.

Investigate Home Depot / Lowe’s for purchase as well as Nova and that other brand (can’t think of the name).

[MX rider]

We're debating this right now. We always had one in Indiana due to lots of lime in the water, which really isn't an issue here. Water in Indiana was very hard, over 30 grains, so a softener makes a big difference.

I just tested our water here in Amelia and it's about 8 grains. Anything over 4 is considered hard, so 8 is not extremely hard. Although still considered hard.

When we moved here a couple years ago we thought the water tasted terrible, so we put in a NOVA filter sytem. It made a big difference in taste.

With soft water soap is much more active since the solids in the water have been removed. White clothes will be whiter, you use less soap and detergent , and to us it tastes better and feels better on our skin and hair.

All that said, it's really personal preference. Llke I said, the water here isn't near as hard as what we had in Indiana so the difference a softener makes is not going to be as drastic.

We're leaning towards buying one from NOVA ($1200), but we're not 100% sure at this point.

[sunnyFLORIDA5828]

For us it’s a quality of life thing. Always had a WS. And for ten years here a recirculating pump for hot water. She LOVES both!!!

[vintageogauge]

We installed a Nova water softener along with their filter system, you can't beat their pricing. It makes a world of difference in taste, softness, laundry, showering, white spots on plumbing fixtures, etc. and you no longer will need fridge filters. I would not go without it. As far as discharge it goes out onto the side lawn or beds, we use Potassium and it does nothing negative to the lawn or plants, you don't need to install it near a sewer line.

[jrref]

The hardness of our water will vary depending on how much they are pumping from the upper and lower aquifer. Here in Osceola Hills when I measureed, we had 12-13 grains which is not too hard and not too soft. We got a Nova softener and are very happy with it. The price is fair and all we need to do is fill the salt bin up once a month.

If you purchase a softener please don't go and buy an expensive one. All salt based softeners work on the same principal. There is no magic. Some have better build qualities over others or may have an automatic bypass valve but the way it works is the same. I like Nova vs the Home Depot or Lowes softeners because if anything goes wrong, Nova is local and I can get parts or service in a day vs dealing with a big box company who has to ship parts to you or use a third party repair company.

[CFrance]

We've had a water softener since the late '80s, when we were on very hard well water. I wouldn't want to be without one. I can tell the minute the salt runs out--my skin starts to each.

Nova whole house filter and WS is what we did. Our water tastes fabulous. Before we got this system, the water tasted terrible and smelled. We are just north of 466A.

[Teed_Off]

Been here seven years in a fifteen year old house. No WS and no issues. We use a Brita filter for water that we drink with no complaints about the taste.

[Cliff Fr]

Originally Posted by chrisinva

We're thinking of getting a water softener installed. Spouse has heard about & is kind of worried about the build-up of gunk/scale in the pipes which could lead to (costly) repairs or replacement of current pipes. Heard the build-up of gunk/scale reduces the effectiveness of the flush function. About once every 10 days we might need to flush 2x.

House was built in 2019; we're the first owners, been here 6 yrs now, Fenney area. Only the two of us, each aged 70+. Plan on staying till ...we exit feet first.

What are pros & cons of a water softener? (besides having a hard time rinsing in the shower) Thanks!

Not to be rude but: you will have already exited feet first before you ever have a buildup of gunk in the water pipes.