How much damage can postponing installation of iron filter/water softener cause?
#1
07-10-14, 10:00 PM
How much damage can postponing installation of iron filter/water softener cause?
We found mold on some of the furniture in the basement last week, so we removed it and threw it out. We have put a dehumidifier there, and noticed that water was pooling around what we thought was a water softener but is in fact an iron filter.
Today we had a company come in to check why so much water leaks from the iron filter after early AM cycles. It has a crack in it, and needs to be replaced. We were then informed we didnt even have a water softener in the house at all! [We had been putting salt in the iron filter as told by the previous owner - never had an idea otherwise because we are new to the whole septic/well/softener concept.]
The iron filter is barely working at this time, obviously. And at this rate, how long this issue has escalated must have spanned beyond the year and a half we have owned the place. We don't see concentrated rings in the toilets, glasses have that white film after a dishwashing cycle once in a while, and the sulfur smell comes through after doing many loads of laundry/showers/dishwashing all at once. Clothes are not as soft after washing [this is a symptom in last two weeks that was noticed only because my dryer broke so I have been hanging clothes outside.]
My question is, we can't afford the immediate installation of the softener and iron filter until 1.5 to 2 months from now when we would have saved for it. I am cognizant of the fact that if you let a problem ,especially water ones, go on for a long time not addressed, it can cause even worse damage than the original problem.
If we wait another 2 months before installing both, on average how bad can the damage be to the pipes in the house? It is just the two of us. Is there any special care we can take to not aggravate it worse until we can do it?
Thanks!
Today we had a company come in to check why so much water leaks from the iron filter after early AM cycles. It has a crack in it, and needs to be replaced. We were then informed we didnt even have a water softener in the house at all! [We had been putting salt in the iron filter as told by the previous owner - never had an idea otherwise because we are new to the whole septic/well/softener concept.]
The iron filter is barely working at this time, obviously. And at this rate, how long this issue has escalated must have spanned beyond the year and a half we have owned the place. We don't see concentrated rings in the toilets, glasses have that white film after a dishwashing cycle once in a while, and the sulfur smell comes through after doing many loads of laundry/showers/dishwashing all at once. Clothes are not as soft after washing [this is a symptom in last two weeks that was noticed only because my dryer broke so I have been hanging clothes outside.]
My question is, we can't afford the immediate installation of the softener and iron filter until 1.5 to 2 months from now when we would have saved for it. I am cognizant of the fact that if you let a problem ,especially water ones, go on for a long time not addressed, it can cause even worse damage than the original problem.
If we wait another 2 months before installing both, on average how bad can the damage be to the pipes in the house? It is just the two of us. Is there any special care we can take to not aggravate it worse until we can do it?
Thanks!
#2
07-11-14, 06:18 AM
The first step is to get a water test done. Know the pH and how much iron, sulfur and hardness is in the water at a min. Based on what you said, I believe the sulfur smell is due to iron and not sulfur (that's a good thing). Water softeners will remove iron, but are limited to the amount so it is possible you do not need an iron filter.
How long or how much damage will occur is a hard question to answer. Post the water test results here and you will be advised the best course of action. You may find it very affordable.
How long or how much damage will occur is a hard question to answer. Post the water test results here and you will be advised the best course of action. You may find it very affordable.
#3
07-11-14, 07:12 PM
test results
Ok got the strips and tested everything. Here is how it read:
pH - color landed between 7.5-8.5, safe
Total Alkalinity - scale goes to dark green, the strip was blue! I can only assume that means really super high.
Total Chlorine - Matched the color for 0, safe
Total Hardness- Matched the color between Hard and Harder.
Iron - O. didnt even change color!
Copper and Nitrate tests just in case - nothing, 0 Safe.
Do I even need an iron filter? Obviously I need a water softener but looks like I can wait a bit.
Thoughts?
pH - color landed between 7.5-8.5, safe
Total Alkalinity - scale goes to dark green, the strip was blue! I can only assume that means really super high.
Total Chlorine - Matched the color for 0, safe
Total Hardness- Matched the color between Hard and Harder.
Iron - O. didnt even change color!
Copper and Nitrate tests just in case - nothing, 0 Safe.
Do I even need an iron filter? Obviously I need a water softener but looks like I can wait a bit.
Thoughts?
#4
07-12-14, 01:23 PM
Do you iron staining in your toilets? If so, how long after cleaning the toilet will the iron show back up. You can also look at the water in the toilet tank to see if you have iron. It is very possible you do not need an iron filter. A water softener will remove iron so if you have a little, no iron filter is needed.
