I get my water from well water.
I've called Culligan but their systems are WAY too expensive for my budget right now.
I've read a little about magnetic water softeners? Can anyone comment or recommend one?
Also any advice would be great on how to fix my sediment problems.

 

Have you looked at Water Softeners on the Internet? There are a lot of companies that sell Softeners. Most of these have Water Softeners for under $1000.

I am buying a Water Softener from one of the online site for under $600 that fits my needs. I did contact Culligan, Kinetico and Rainsoft all were over $3200 for the same type of Softener. The only thing it does not come in a Pertty package, but I can buy that for $50 more.


Most site can solve all of your problems, just do your Homework and it will save you Thousands of dollars

 

Your are right about the cost Mke, but WAY wrong about Kinetico, Culligan, and Rainsoft being the same thing......no way to explain the differences without going into what would sound like a sales pitch.......do the research, then repost......or......you can contact me via private message and we can discuss it

 

Why don't you look into installing a magnetic water softner where you do not have to add salt?No salt mixed in your water,clean pipes,no tank to store,no pipe cutting,what more could you want?Company even offers a 120 day money back guarantee and a lifetime warranty on their product. I am going to install one in the summer.Most expensive system is $700.00. I looked at the softeners at Sears and they just look cheap IMHO.

 

without trying to offend anyone..those things are crap!!!!!! tell me, how do you get what the mag actually does trap out of the piping system?

 

No offense taken here..

"no way to explain the differences without going into what would sound like a sales pitch"

It sounds like you sell water softeners,if so,what kind?

 

Doesn't matter what kind of water softner anyone sells or services, any liscensed water conditioner knows those things are not a true, working, long term solution......I've run water tests on homes that have those things installed and the home owner can't believe someone would sell them something that doesn't meet thier expectations ...... I would still like to know what is to be done with what is trapped in the pipes

 

I hope the following answers your question.

"Scientifically designed magnetic devices are used to alter the way calcium behaves when suspended in water. Lime and Calcium are normally very sticky substances that act like "Glue". This glue (lime and calcium) causes the minerals in your water to stick to almost everything they come in contact with. This is particularly true when water is heated and as it evaporates.
When water passes through the device, the calcium and other minerals adopt a small surface charge and loose their stickiness. The minerals then pass on through your plumbing system, without attaching to anything, and go down the drain. In the process, calcium build-up is dissolved, your plumbing and sewer system is cleaned, and water flow returns to normal".

In the homes you tested with the magnets,what system(Name of the company)was it?

 

don't know, didn't bother to look for a brand.........but from what you desribe to me, it is not a water softner, so why sell it as one?????

 

I do not sell anything,I am a homeowner doing research right now as I do have hard water.From what I have been reading,like traditional water softners,some work better than others,with the more expensive ones generally doing a better job.I assume the same can be said for magnetic type systems.I am going to try a magnetic type system to see if it works.If my water is still hard(which will be quite easy to determine),I send it back and buy a salt based softner.I was hopng someone here actually had one and could give an unbiased report,but,I guess not. Below is a link to the system i am going to use.When I get it,I will let you know how it works.............or how it doesent work.


http://clearwatergmx.com/

 

A little light reading before you spend your money.

http://www.nmsr.org/magnetic.htm

 

Thanks lurker,I guess I won't be buying that junk! My search continues... I emailed someone at GMX,let's see if he responds.

So,can anyone reccomend a good water softener? As far as price goes,I am looking for something between the middle and the top of the line units.What is considered to be the better brands?

 

when you ask a question like that, you will get a salesmans answer.......not allowed here....do some research......basically IMO there are two types...electric or non-electric.......all have different features but work the same...you have to decide what you want and how much you are willing to spend.......when it comes down to price, ask yourself, am I buying an appliance or am I making an investment in my home

 

I think jdp38 has the right approach. Water is too an essential part of our daily lives to be taken lightly.

There are a number of brand-named companies mentioned earlier that devote themselves to water treatment. Some use hype, others reply on a sound technology; some design, manufacture, sell (and back) their own products, others put their labels on borrowed technologies and rely on manufacturers' warranties. Some are designed for those who know little about water treatment equipment (or couldn't care less), others are geared for those serious about their water. Don't treat yourself as a landlord might treat his tennant. "There, now you have a softener...pay the rent!"

Arguably, your water treatment system affects you and your household in more ways than any other "appliance". Dishes, soap usage, washers, faucets, plumbing, fixtures, hair, skin, teeth, food, ice, beverages, clothing, toilets...and on and on, will reflect your water quality. Virtually, ANYTHING that comes into contact with water will benefit.

If you are satified with half-way measures, then accept mediocre results.

I am in the water treatment business (so I will resist name dropping) but I can honestly agree that choosing a whole house water management system (utility and drinking water) needs to be done very carefully. Try to locate a WQA Certified Water Specialist to handle your water needs. You can locate one in your area by going to ( www.wqa.org ) Look to see if the products are certified by NSF (a variety of standards may apply, i.e., NSF-44). ( www.nsf.org )

When a sale is based on price---- quality, features and benefits are the last things emphasized.

The important thing about choosing a quality water system is that it works (24/7) and can be serviced when, in the event there is a problem, by a qualified person. Wouldn't it be a pleasure to know that everytime you turned on the faucet, you were satified with your decision.

I know what sticker-shock can do to people. Always try to fully understand not only the features but the benefits a particular system offers. It's really matter 'value'. I have seen people balk at a quality water system due to price and yet they have, for example, a $7000 snowmobile sitting in their garage used once in the last three years. I would rather spend an hour on explaining why we charge what we do than the next ten years apologizing for poor perfomance.

The phrase, "you get what you pay for" is not always wrong.

As for "magnetic softening"... Whew! That's always an interesting method. Whenever I go to a home for a water test and see those things hanging from the plumbing I always ask, "How's that working for you?" If I get a positive (rarely) response, I just say: That's fine. No need to make a person feel bad about a previous decision. But, looking at how scale build-up and iron deposits have destroyed a $300 faucet is testimony enough for me.

The only positive things I can say about those magnets are: no electricity, last forever, no chemicals, no maintenance, space restrictions, no noise, no replacement items.....no results. And, moreover, their initial cost is low enough that by the time you realized you have made a mistake (resulting costs: corrosive plumbing, soap scum, iron stains, etc.), you're not that much out of pocket. I just hope you haven't recommended it to friends and neighbors in the meanwhile.

Buying cheap can be very costly.

Andy