A few months back the water heater at the VCH homestead began leaking, and while the plumber was replacing it, he did a test of our water quality. Not surprisingly, he told us our water was fairly acidic (ph around 5.5) and also quite hard- I think he said we were around 14 grains, or something, whatever the measurement was. Of course, he offered to install a softener and nuetralizer system. I think, with the new pressure tank (we're on well water) the total cost was going to be around $3000.
Since this isn't an immediate emergency, and since I'm familiar with plumbing work, I think this is something I can tackle myself. I'm sure I can perform the water testing to determine the correct amount of nuetralization and softening that needs to be done, too.
Anyone here have experience installing a system, what system/s did you use, and any other advice you might have would be appreciated!
I don't have experience with the install of the softener, but we have a Surge Water Conditioner for our water softener. 2 or 3 years ago, we were having problems with the salt tank and had the tech came out, and he hooked up an injection system of sorts. Once a year, we put in a gallon of ResCare It has made a HUGE difference in the quality of our water. Still pretty irony, but a lot better than it was before. It's at least clear water coming out now.
The ResCare injection was installed AFTER we replaced our pump and lines, the lines going from the pump to the well were NASTY and god knows how old. It's a ridiculous pain to change lines and reprime the pump, but it could be cheaper than buying a whole new system.
I don't know the ppm off hand, but I do know it holds a 6.5pH year round.
Our pressure tank is at least 30 years old. Do they go bad?
I may wind up helping my neighbor install a system shortly because his water comes out orange-ish, but he's still finishing up another project.
Solely because I have a well, I've become the resident expert amongst my friends, so I'm trying to learn more about the different setups.
The plumber who installed our heater said our pressure tank was old and loosing its ability to hold reserve of water. It also seems pretty small.
Looking online, I found a company called Pelican that makes a salt-less softner, which sounds like a good product.
http://www.pelicanwater.com/water-softener-systems.php
They also make an acid neutralizer system.
http://www.pelicanwater.com/soda_ash_ph_system.php
There's others out there, too. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with any of them.
I had an ECOWATER softener professionally installed about 6-8 years ago. I absolutely love it. No more mineral deposits on the plumbing and clogging up the faucet screens. Also totally spoiled by great tasting water and much more efficient use of soap, shampoo, and detergents in all appliances and showering.
I try to DIY just about everything around my house, but plumbing is not one of them. It is pretty much just a pipe going in to the softener and then back out. There is also a small vinyl hose that runs to the other side of my garage to the washing machine drain. This line is for the automatic flushing system that runs about once a week. I just don't like the idea of screwing up a main water line in my house with my questionable soldering skills. If you're comfortable with plumbing it should be pretty simple.
Hmm. Lots of "gripes" on the internets about the Pelican "softener". Sounds like the whole salt-free-softening claim may be a bit misleading.
Looks like a highly recommended pH neutralizer:
http://www.qualitywaterforless.com/Backwashing_pH_Neutralizer_1_5_p/f-70t-nf10.htm
Fleck 7000 auto backwash valve. 1.5 c/ft capacity.
The problem is that it's not a basic solution.
