Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - justalurker magnetizer to soften water

Justalurker or anyone else,

I've read most of what you have to say about salt water softener and you really seem to know your stuff. I had a plumber come out for an estimate and he recommended getting a magnetizer instead. It's a lot cheaper than getting the salt water softener installed....so I am a little skeptical now.

Do you know anything about magnetizers used to resolve hard water issue? Are they any good or just a gimic? Can you please enlighten me?

Thanks

I vote: gimmick

but just in case you do believe and purchase one, visit this site as they have magnetizers for just about every pipe you can think of.

http://www.microwaterman.com/Magnetizer/Magnetizer_Hard_Water_Conditioner.htm

Best thing to do is to get another plumber ;)

Better yet, find a water treatment professional :)

To "soften" water is to remove calcium (among other things like iron) from the water and that is commonly done by one of two methods.

One method is ion exchange as done by a water softener. A water softener exchanges either sodium ions (if using NaCl) or potassium ions (if using KCl) for calcium (and other) ions in the hard water. That's it, no ifs, no ands, no buts, and no sales double talk. Simple chemistry and physics. Softening water is not black magic. It is physics and chemistry with a side of mechanics. No matter how hard sales people try (and want) to they can not violate the laws of physics or change the nature of chemical actions and reactions.

The other is by a filter, but no simple filter will remove calcium. You would need a reverse osmosis unit large enough to service your entire house. You would not want to pay for that big an RO nor pay for the service and routine maintainence it would require and RO water would be very agressive in your plumbing.

NO magnet(ic) gizmo or electronic gizmo will soften water but people waste their money on them EVERYDAY.

Check out this URL for one story http://www.nmsr.org/magnetic.htm and there are many more on the net if you Google.

Pick the right softener (not a box store brand) and get a competent install and you should go 15-20 years.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing is that water treatment begins with a complete water test so you know what needs to be treated or filtered out to get the quality water you want. Are you on a well or a water system? Do that and post the results so we might help.

BTW, they aren't "salt water softeners" they ARE "ion exchange water softeners". Salt is NOT added to make soft water. A common mistake and one that leads many down the wrong path.

I find it truly amazing that in this day and age crap like this is still being marketed, and worse yet, eaten up by the general public. Magnets won't soften water any more than an astrologist can soften water. A magnet IS good if you own a scrap metal yard and want to move large quantities of metal. Or to hold your kids pictures to the fridge. Get a real water softener, that is an ion-exchange variety. Now, on the other hand if your water has an abundance of iron filings in it, you certainly can go the route of magnetic water gizmo-da-doohicky thinga majig. This just might work. But then again...


WOw


p.s. no offense intended, to anyone. it's all in fun, just like the "magnetic water softener???"

I vote: gimmick

but just in case you do believe and purchase one, visit this site as they have magnetizers for just about every pipe you can think of.

http://www.microwaterman.com/Magnetizer/Magnetizer_Hard_Water_Conditioner.htm


Might want to pick up a couple to wear around your wrist while you're at it. I'm sure they'll cure anything!!!

It's just weird because the plumber wants to charge 2600 to install a water softener, but he rather install this magnetizer for 175 bucks. Wouldn't he want to make more money?

I will test my water and post the results. Thanks for all your responses.

This is only speculation but I'd think your plumber could sell and install 10-15 of those rip-offs in a day @ $1750-$2625 times 5 days a week = $13125

He's only be able to do two softener installs a day and would actually have to work.

No mystery to me what he'd choose and why.

Like I said before "best thing to do is to get another plumber... better yet, find a water treatment professional".

If you want to research magic softeners further just google it... you'll get millions of hits and the song will remain the same.

For your further consideration... water softener 101

First, get a complete water test from an independent lab. This is a MUST DO because without it everything is a guess. A quickie water test from Sears or a water softener company won't be complete. They only test for the "profitable" stuff.

Second, hit the Yellow Pages and call at least three local water treatment pros. Make sure you call at least one of the big dogs like Kinetico or Culligan and at least a couple independent pros. DON'T TELL THEM YOU HAD YOUR WATER TESTED.

Give each an opportunity to offer suggestions and provide you with a quote to meet your water treatment needs. IGNORE ANY THAT DON'T TEST YOUR WATER THEMSELVES as they can't speak intelligently to water treatment without knowing what needs to be treated.

Ask lots of questions. Warranty, parts & labor, how long? Install, permits required, licensed plumber? Routine maintenance and costs? Do they stock parts? Response time for emergency (water leak) calls? If they don't explain things to your satisfaction that is a good indicator of how you'll be treated after the sale.

After they've gone use your water test to compare with their's. Are all your treatment needs being addressed?

Ask your neighbors if they have any water treatment experience. They might tell you who's good or who to avoid.

Come back here and post the specific recommendations and hardware with the costs and we'll give you our opinions.

If you're a DIYer then you have other options ... here's a great place to start
http://ohiopurewaterco.com/shop/customer/home.php?cat=179

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