water softener - worth it?

[nagooro]

Thinking about getting a water softener installed. Looking for some input regarding brands, installers, and approx price I should expect to pay.

Have read a lot of positives about having a water softener, but are there any downsides besides the extra cost?

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

[Sugarphreak]

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[nzwasp]

You just need to keep an eye on your water tank. Make sure you replace the dip tube every few years or if you dont your water will eat away at your tank and you will be replacing them more often.

[Maxt]

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You just need to keep an eye on your water tank. Make sure you replace the dip tube every few years or if you dont your water will eat away at your tank and you will be replacing them more often.

anode.

[revelations]

Absolutely would recommend - also a whole house, coarse filter (30 micron) is an excellent idea at the same time. Regular salt is fine but Potassium is nicer but much more pricey to start and to maintain.

[cycosis]

We just put one in. We used the waterman.ca which was a recommendation via another thread. It’s great. No more spots all over my glass shower. Much less skin dryness. Install was easy as the home builder already preplumed irrigation and kitchen sink bypass.

[Sugarphreak]

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[nagooro]

Thanks for the input. If I chose to go with salt/potassium, can you flip flop later on? Or once you start with one, stick with one?

What are the top brands for the units? Does anyone in calgary sell Fleck? Anyone have the one costco sells? (Vitapur® Whole Home Water Softener 30,000 Grain Capacity)

[Sugarphreak]

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[nagooro]

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There are some different wash cycle settings, but I don't think it is that hard to flip from one to another. Potassium is a bit hard to find and a lot more expensive. Home Depot on McLeod across from Chinook was the only place I could ever find it, they always had a stack behind the tills. Even other home depots didn't seem to carry it.

Aquatell is the way to go for ordering Fleck stuff IMO. Fleck supposedly makes some of the best valves in the industry, and when I got mine it was pretty much the only option for full true 1" internals so I wouldn't lose pressure in my house.

https://www.aquatell.com/pages/water-softeners

Thanks, have contacted them about the fleck 5600, not sure what size I should go with. Did you get the same model?

[Sugarphreak]

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[nzwasp]

Some companies will also try and sell you a chlorine removal system for your hot water, but according to other people in the industry this is a bit BS because the hot water doesnt contain the chlorine or you cant smell it or something (theres some process with the hot water that eliminates it).

[ExtraSlow]

The chlorine dissipates as the water sits, so I think the theory is that it comes out in the hot water tank.
Although I don't see the tiny concentration of chlorine as an issue anyway.

[macman64]

They are worth it! I just went with a cheap whirlpool one and installed it myself. I was already roughed in for it so that makes it a bit easier. I think it cost $600 plus a few parts to install.

[revelations]

Its been about 7 years since I had my 500L freshwater tank (fish) but I recall with the City water that we use CHLORAMINE, not Chlorine, here.

[nagooro]

Outta curiosity, what size capacity (cu ft) or grains of resin did you guys go with? And how many in the household?

[nagooro]

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We just put one in. We used the waterman.ca which was a recommendation via another thread. It’s great. No more spots all over my glass shower. Much less skin dryness. Install was easy as the home builder already preplumed irrigation and kitchen sink bypass.

In case anyone sees this thread in the future...

Ended up going with Derek @ thewaterman.ca (BRM). Quick and clean install, was probably done in 30min. Explained everything we needed to know and pretty good warranty on his products (incl. labor if i'm not mistaken). Would highly recommend

[Sugarphreak]

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[nagooro]

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What were the details of the softener you ended up going with? Installed price?

It will be good for the thread in the future just to share the ball park numbers

Prices are all laid out on the site, I did the 1.0 cu ft (33K resin) Logix 762 for $~1170 all in.
http://www.thewaterman.ca/

[cycosis]

Glad you had a good experience. The water man was super professional and quick when he did our install