Originally Posted by Pondboy (Post 2433292)

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).

Originally Posted by BobnBev (Post 2434060)

I love our NOVA. The only drawback is the 40lb bag once a month. Usually hurts my back. Very expensive.

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2433261)

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.

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy (Post 2434072)

You are likely using the potassium salt rather than the sodium. The sodium works great and is very cheap. I think less than $10/bag. The water tastes better too with the sodium IMHO.

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy (Post 2434072)

You are likely using the potassium salt rather than the sodium. The sodium works great and is very cheap. I think less than $10/bag. The water tastes better too with the sodium IMHO.

Originally Posted by Battlebasset (Post 2436612)

If the discharge from the WS was piped out the side wall of my garage, it would not be a long trip to discharge directly into my cleanout which is in the flower bed. Has anybody done this vs just letting it spill on the ground, or creating a drainage sump?

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2436632)

Isn’t sodium bad for vascular system? Every one I even knew with high blood pressure was told to reduce sodium intake?

Originally Posted by metoo21 (Post 2436697)

I'd say that is a bad idea. You'd probably have sewer gases backing up in your softener system. Pipe it to the curb? I wouldn't discharge it onto the driveway as sodium chloride will damage concrete over time. A drainage sump would need to very big as the system uses quite a lot of water during its cycling.




Yes it can be bad but there isn't a significant amount of sodium in the softened water to make a difference for someone - especially in the amount of water one would drink daily.

Originally Posted by chrisinva (Post 2433256)

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!