Bronco_Bustin
New Member
I apologize in advance for my ignorance, I grew up in San Diego where "hard water" only meant calcium and that you shouldn't wash your car in direct sunlight to avoid water spots and once every 5 years or so you needed to soak your shower head in vinegar.
Now I'm in San Antonio and my boss says my water heater will turn into a 400lb limestone brick without a water softener.
After researching on and off for a couple months I still don't feel like I have a handle on this topic, but this forum appears to be the most knowledgeable.
My 2,400sq.ft house is a new build tract on city water with a 1-inch loop, and I only care about 2 things:
1. Avoid any drop in water pressure. (The far end of our house has hardly any pressure as is)
2. Prevent premature appliance failure.
That's it. I don't care about how "soft" the water feels on my skin in the shower.
I don't care about the lather of soaps or how I might need to use extra detergents or fabric softness.
My 1st neighbor bought a fleck 5600sxt 48000g from 602abc for $600-ish and said it took him 2-hours to install. The included test kit showed we were at 15 grains hardness.
2nd neighbor paid $2,000 to a softener company including install. And the 3rd neighbor just bought a $300 Whirlpool from Lowes and paid a plumber $300 for install.
I have called around to get quotes and they range all the way up to $5000 including lifetime warranties and replaceable carbon.
3 bath, me + wife + baby
Can you point me in the right direction? Equipment suggestions? Trusted retailers? Reasonable price range?
I've seen some of you recommend the Fleck 5800 for flow rate but I not sure that flow rate is synonymous with pressure. If I am only washing my hands a lower flow unit "shouldn't" have a noticeable pressure difference?
I appreciate any guidance. With such a huge range of providers and prices from $600-$5000 I feel very overwhelmed. Especially when you guys claim some retailer slap a decent valve on crappy tank components. I think I could handle a DIY install I just want to make sure what I buy is worthwhile. I know to avoid big box stores. If I had to decide today, I would probably copy the neighbor who bought the fleck 5600sxt 48000g but I don't think you'd be a fan.
Now I'm in San Antonio and my boss says my water heater will turn into a 400lb limestone brick without a water softener.
After researching on and off for a couple months I still don't feel like I have a handle on this topic, but this forum appears to be the most knowledgeable.
My 2,400sq.ft house is a new build tract on city water with a 1-inch loop, and I only care about 2 things:
1. Avoid any drop in water pressure. (The far end of our house has hardly any pressure as is)
2. Prevent premature appliance failure.
That's it. I don't care about how "soft" the water feels on my skin in the shower.
I don't care about the lather of soaps or how I might need to use extra detergents or fabric softness.
My 1st neighbor bought a fleck 5600sxt 48000g from 602abc for $600-ish and said it took him 2-hours to install. The included test kit showed we were at 15 grains hardness.
2nd neighbor paid $2,000 to a softener company including install. And the 3rd neighbor just bought a $300 Whirlpool from Lowes and paid a plumber $300 for install.
I have called around to get quotes and they range all the way up to $5000 including lifetime warranties and replaceable carbon.
3 bath, me + wife + baby
Can you point me in the right direction? Equipment suggestions? Trusted retailers? Reasonable price range?
I've seen some of you recommend the Fleck 5800 for flow rate but I not sure that flow rate is synonymous with pressure. If I am only washing my hands a lower flow unit "shouldn't" have a noticeable pressure difference?
I appreciate any guidance. With such a huge range of providers and prices from $600-$5000 I feel very overwhelmed. Especially when you guys claim some retailer slap a decent valve on crappy tank components. I think I could handle a DIY install I just want to make sure what I buy is worthwhile. I know to avoid big box stores. If I had to decide today, I would probably copy the neighbor who bought the fleck 5600sxt 48000g but I don't think you'd be a fan.