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KackyK
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| Posted: June 05 2014 at 9:35am | IP Logged
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Howdy! We are moved in to our new to us home and have had a few septic issues already  but found a good company to do repairs, whew!
Now dh is wanting a water softener.
No clue on this! Dh asked me to look into and call someone, oof!
So I immediately thought of you ladies...any tips or advice? What should I be looking for in a water softener? I have done an initial search of providers and that is what sentme to you all...no idea so many choices and possible things to consider.
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KackyK
Mom to 8 - 3 dd, 5ds & 4 babes in heaven
Beginning With the Assumption
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guitarnan
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| Posted: June 05 2014 at 10:08am | IP Logged
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Why does he want a water softener? I'm guessing it is related to the recent repairs?
My parents have one, because their water is very hard and they really struggled with deposits on the insides of their pipes. I don't see a huge difference in the "feel" of their water, but they haven't had plumbing problems lately, so I guess it is working.
My friend has one, because her mom worked for Culligan for many years. I think it makes her water worse, not better - it's too soft, in other words. It takes forever to wash shampoo out of your hair, resulting in longer showers. The softener unit is noisy when it regenerates, too, so if you went with a model like hers, you would have to locate the unit away from bedrooms so you could sleep.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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KackyK
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| Posted: June 05 2014 at 10:16am | IP Logged
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Oooo good consideration!
He wants it because he feels like, this his quote...that his skin is dry but yet slimy with soap all at the same time.  I'm very low maintenance when it comes to things like this...I notice nothing.
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KackyK
Mom to 8 - 3 dd, 5ds & 4 babes in heaven
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guitarnan
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| Posted: June 05 2014 at 10:23am | IP Logged
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Perhaps a first step would be to have the water tested to see whether it's too soft or too hard? I'd suggest avoiding having a water softener company test it - they sell water softeners, after all.
My colleague wrote this articleon testing your own water at home. Maybe that's an even better first step?
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Mom21
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| Posted: June 05 2014 at 12:45pm | IP Logged
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I will go out on a limb and say that our family would not be without a water softener, and especially so living in the country! It is far better, IMHO, on your skin, hair, clothes, pipes, etc. We have no rust issues in our showers and sinks. Our whites are not dingy. My hair is in very good condition and it does not take longer in the shower to rinse out shampoo. Our softener does not recharge during the night; it recharges throughout the day. With soft water, you use less soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, etc.
If you live in the county, I think it's pretty good to have one. You will notice the long-term effects of having one.
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roomintheheart
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| Posted: June 05 2014 at 2:52pm | IP Logged
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We couldn't be without one. It does make cleaning everything (people, fixtures, clothes) much easier. I would say to just buy one, not rent & get the service from Culligan or wherever.
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Mimip
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| Posted: June 05 2014 at 7:59pm | IP Logged
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Ok, this has nothing to do with water softener but as a long time septic tank user I have a VERY important helpful hint: Be very careful about which toilet paper you use. The double and triple ply (charmin especially) can cause HUGE havoc on septic systems. (You don't want to know how I know this) Go with the thinnest toilet paper you all can handle.
Also get those covers for your bath drains to catch hair. Long hair combined with soaps and shampoo are another cause of huge havoc.
Ok, now on to the softener: yes, makes a huge difference for septic systems and deposits.
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Water softeners...help?!
