Plumbing and Piping - When Should You Buy a Water Softener?

Since we moved in our home a year ago, my once healthy hair is now frizzy and my highlights in my hair hardly last a month. Both my husband and I have extremely dry skin as well. When using hot water it comes out milky looking. Would these be signs telling us we need a water softener? If not, what could be the problem?

You can have your water tested for hardness. Hard water won't allow soaps, shampoos, etc. to "suds" properly, and can cause problems such as with your hair (so my wife says).
If you're on public water, chlorine also can cause hair problems.
Standard softeners exchange sodium ions for calcium and magnesium ions (which cause hard water). You can get filters for chlorine.
Call a water care company or two (Yellow Pages), have them test your water, and recommend a solution.
Good Luck!
Mike

Don't forget to check out Sears, Home Depots, Lowes, etc. They all can check your water and offer softners at a more resonable price. But the first thing to do is take a sample in to then for a free test of Hardness, Acidity, and Iron (clear water iron)

I contacted the county that I live in and they informed me that the don't do testing on anything but well water. I went to Lowe's and they said they sell the test for $30.00, but I am wondering if it is good on anything but well water. The county said their water is very soft and can't imagine that the problems we are having are caused by the county water. Should I invest in this test or am I wasting my time?

I'm not sure about the frizzy hair part, but the dry skin is probably due to dry winter heat in your home - softener or no softener.

"When should you buy a water softener?"
That's a matter of personal preference.
I may buy more soap than my 'softener' neighbor, but when I come out of the shower I fell squeeky clean. And I hate the taste of softened water, whether out of the tap or with my coffee.
Oh, I also replace more water heater elements too.
But I like the taste of my well water!

your choice,
fred

You still have the option of going to your nearest Sears store to have them check hardness, acidity, and clear water iron for nothing. They don't charge for this service.

Unless your county gets it's water from outer space, I'd say they still pump it from the ground, to a storage facility, and it still could be hard. You think they run a huge water softner for the county?

Have SEARS check it for you. If they don't have the test kit at the store, they can send it off at no charge. Takes 3 weeks but you don't need to spend $30.00. Other test can be done via SEARS but there is a charge for other type of tests. Just ask.