What are the pros and cons of getting a water softener?

Question

My husband and I have city supplied water but it still leaves lime-scale and calcium buildup on our faucets and shower fixtures. It's pretty severe - we have to use lime away weekly. We have a reverse osmosis system attached to our kitchen sink for drinking water, but we were considering getting a softener for the whole house.

I'm looking for advice from people who currently own or have owned water softeners. What are the good things that you experienced and what are some of the bad? Are there different kinds or brands that you would recommend over others? Does it make the water salty?

Our home is very small (only about 825 sq.ft) in case that matters.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

i have had one in my last 3 homes....cant live with out it now....great for the skin, less cleaning and less materials to use to clean....soap use is cut by 2/3.....and i know that it gets some of the junk out of the city water..........and on well water its a must.....i get mine from lowes, all u do is set it, add salt and ur done.....

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 2

Water Softener:  Are almost zero maintenance.  You will have to put in a bag of salt on occasion, but that's about it.

There's nothing but upsides for you:  Looks like your drinking water is covered.  The softener will make your laundry come cleaner, and you'll notice an immediate difference in the shower.

Brand doesn't matter, they all do the same.  The only unanswered questions are your water usage.  Is it just the two of you, any visitors...those are the broad questions they'll ask.  Call around.  We've selected one of the water treatment companies in the local phone book v. buying one from a department store (last 3 houses).  They'll come out and install it for you.  Be there when they come...only to make sure on the placement where you want it.  You'll want accessibility to the hopper (where the salt goes in).  Salt bags weigh 40-80 pounds.  We get the 40 pound ones.  My wife doesn't do any lifting...and I'm a gieser.  I can still lift, but you can scoop the salt in.  That's the only downside.

Answer 3

Having a water softener would be a good thing for you with all the minerals you have in your water.  Your pipes will last longer and you won't have such a job cleaning scale off.

The differences you'll notice are taste and how soap doesn't rinse off your skin very easily.  You will be fine with your r/o filter and you get used to the feeling when you shower.  It's true that you need less soap too.

One thing I recommend is making sure you have a spigot for washing your car that has the softened water.  Makes for much less spotting.

Answer 4

The cons sell it, the pros install it.