Water Softener Question

[Jarren]

If I continue to see those white mineral deposits when I boil a pot of water, should I keep increasing the hardness level on my water softener? At least until I get no more mineral deposits?

I certainly can use test strips, but I was just wondering if this water boiling test is also a good indicator of water hardness.

Thanks.
--Jarren

 

[gsdx]

The mineral deposits are caused by harder water. You need to lower the hardness in order to get rid of the deposits.

 

[Jasson67]

If you live near a Sears they test water. Just make sure the water hasn't run through the softener.

I actually just took mine in last weekend to have it tested. If you don't have a Sears softener, take the sample anyway and tell them you might be interested in one if your water tests hard. You can always think about it or change your mind.

It only takes a few minutes to do.

 

[Corny]

basically you are right. but for many water softeners you need to set the hardness level to the hardness you water has. so hard water = high setting, soft water = low setting.
but it can also be the other way around so that you need to set your desired "target". best you check the manual

 

[thermodynamics]

basically you are right. but for many water softeners you need to set the hardness level to the hardness you water has. so hard water = high setting, soft water = low setting.
but it can also be the other way around so that you need to set your desired "target". best you check the manual

Bingo. You might want to run your finger over the residue and taste it. If it's salty, then you've got too much salt. If not, then you've still got hard water.

The substance your'e trying to get rid of here is calcium carbonate (lime).

 

[gsdx]

Never used a water softener. Never needed one, actually. I just applied common sense. Had I thought about it a bit more, I might have suggested the owner's manual as well.

 

[Jarren]

You might want to run your finger over the residue and taste it. If it's salty, then you've got too much salt. If not, then you've still got hard water.

I didn't realize that the deposits could also be due to too high of a setting resulting in excess salt. Thanks.

Thanks, everyone, for your advice .

 

[thermodynamics]

Yeah, it's a problem for people on sodium restricted diets to drink heavily softened water (as in...the water was extremely hard to begin with and required lots of salt to pull out the calcium).

 

[cityboi]

Someone told me to drink from her cold water tap because it doesn't contain the salt from her softener. Is it common for people to soften only their warm water?