[Sheryl_Jones]

If the salts dissolve, then does that mean that the drinking water tastes salty? With a water softener does one have to use only bottled drinking water, because the water in the tap turns into saltwater? Do you have to add salts often and are they expensive to buy?

Just curious since I never had one and would consider it as it's better than clogging the pipes with minerals or dealing with white calcium deposits everywhere.

Wouldn't it be nice if the mineral deposits were mostly silver, gold and diamonds - then those clogged pipes would be worth a mint in resale value and pay for themselves to be replaced every so many years.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by Sheryl_Jones

If the salts dissolve, then does that mean that the drinking water tastes salty? With a water softener does one have to use only bottled drinking water, because the water in the tap turns into saltwater? Do you have to add salts often and are they expensive to buy?

Just curious since I never had one and would consider it as it's better than clogging the pipes with minerals or dealing with white calcium deposits everywhere.

Wouldn't it be nice if the mineral deposits were mostly silver, gold and diamonds - then those clogged pipes would be worth a mint in resale value and pay for themselves to be replaced every so many years.

No salt (or to be technically correct - very little) gets into the house water.

The water softener process is a chemical one involving selectively removing the hard metal ions from the water. They are attracted to resin beads in the water softener. The resin beads eventually run out of attraction (yes - I know what the attraction is -but lets not go there). They are renewed by running a saturated salt solution over them. This happens at 2:00AM every few days. The salt solution is then dumped into the sewer. The resin beads are now good for a few days or so.

Your only responsibity is to make sure the water softener has its salt hopper filled up so it can make the salt solution it needs. Run out of salt...no more softening.

[Sheryl_Jones]

Thank you for explaining. It sounds like it would be easy to take care of and if the replacement salts not too expensive then an easy way to take care of the hard water problem and keep the plumbing in better condition, even if it's not a Kitec affected house, it would still be hard on all the pipes and fixtures regardless. And I do dislike all that white calcium build-up as I've experienced it in the past.

I think I will definitely look into a soft water system on where-ever I end up moving, be it into LV, because of the hard water situation.

I guess just don't drink the water at 2 am while it's running its cycle and that's not a major inconvenience since I'd expect to be sleeping.

Good explanation, thanks.

[olecapt]

Further unsolicited advice from olecapt.

Get a water softener. I recommend a Fleck or similar. Small units start at about $500 plus install. The Sears units are not bad and cheaper but cost a lot more when they need work a few years out. These things don't need a lot of help. Ours has had two service calls in about 18 years and is now replaced.

Get a properly sized demand unit. Likely cut your cost in half or more.

This is hard water. You can't get dishes, clothes or hair clean with it without a lot of work. Our softener has been out for 6 weeks and all the glass and silverware has reached ugly.

For drinking you put in an RO. $300 or so and lots of super clean water with no tastes..note it will also supply water when the water softener is regenerating.

Really makes for good tasting coffee...one of the important things in life.

[vegaslocal55]

How important is the RO? I've been drinking LV water straight out of the tap for 2 years-is it that bad? I've found that as long as I don't drink the first bit that comes out of the pipe it tastes fine to me.

[Sheryl_Jones]

Thank you for the information on costs too. It sounds like I will do it as I have experienced hard water before and know it's a mess.

I hate to plead ignorance again, but what does "RO" stand for? Is that some kind of water filter device?

[olecapt]

I think you live in Sky which I would almost guarantee treats their water. Maybe just activated charcoal but perhaps fancier. They want their pipes to live a long time without problems as well as keeping the owners happy.

Ask one of the maintenance guys they will likely know.

I will also drink it...but I don't like it in coffee and I can taste the chlorine.

[Heyygirl]

yeah ole...what's an RO? We have yet to move to our LV home and want to get what is needed.

[tony soprano]

Originally Posted by Sheryl_Jones

I hate to plead ignorance again, but what does "RO" stand for? Is that some kind of water filter device?

Reverse osmosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[lyra33]

I have a Reverse Osmosis system. I bought it from Sears and it is a Kenmore. Even if you have to pay someone to install it- it is SO WORTH it!!! Our water tastes much better than the best bottled water.