we are in the market for a water softener.

Saila A
by Saila A
we had a culligan one for 10years. next one was with a company that went belly up in a year after our purchase and that unit did not outlast the company either. trying to see what is new out in the market. how reliable are the salt free ones.
  18 answers
  • Hudson Designs Hudson Designs on Oct 03, 2011
    Hello Saila, Culligan water softener system is one of the better systems on the market. GE also makes a easy to install system if you are a DIY person. I think the main thing to look for is a well known company and a good plumber that is certified by the company. This should help in case any problems come up.
  • Saila; When purchasing a water softner a couple things to keep in mind 1-Make sure you get a metered head not a timer 2-stay away from cabinet type softners if possible, the salt is corrosive on the head 3-if you have an extra 9" of space do not buy a mixed bed which is one tank for softening/taste/odor, get a 1 tank for softening and a seperate tank for taste/odor 4-buy from a company with references and has been around for awhile. water conditioning warranties are only as good as the company selling them. And don't buy from someone that makes you say no 11 times before they leave. Salt free has it's pros and cons they are reliable and work well under certain situations. I've been in business in Central Florida since 1987 and we sell Salt based and no-salt systems so we will not steer you to one or the other unless that is what we feel you should have. We are not a hard sell company I can be reached at 407-905-0014
  • Walter M Walter M on Oct 04, 2011
    Since you do not have an axe to grind on this subject in that you sell both types of systems. salt and no salt --- is the no salt such that it does not need to flush itself out such as the Pelican system or is it something else. How does one determine whether salt or not is the better approach to take. My main problem -- eliminate the calcification on glass shower doors and the build up in the sinks -- it takes awhile to clean - I really do not know which product to use on them. Any suggestions would be appreciated. If you wish to see the house you are welcome to visit it as I am located in Kissimmee perhaps not far from you as I am close to the 429. and just south of the 192
  • Deborah H Deborah H on Oct 06, 2011
    If you are looking to eliminate calcification on shower doors and build up in sinks, the salt based system (ION EXCHANGE) is the best solution for this issue. Culligan products do last and the company has been around for over 70 years. They have a rental plan too.
  • Walter M Walter M on Oct 07, 2011
    Deborah -- are you with Culligan? or you have the product? you speak about the rental plan -- Have you ever calculated the rental versus purchase on pricing?
  • Deborah H Deborah H on Oct 08, 2011
    Walter--yes, I work for Culligan. I have calculated the difference between the 2 plans. We just offer the rental as an option. For people who have never had a system, it gives them a trial period. if they want to purchase the system after a 90 day trial period they then can purchase the equipment and receive credit for what they have paid up to that point .
  • Deb Deb on Oct 08, 2011
    Right hand corner where there is a small drawing of a pair of scissor. It saids "GET YOUR COUPON TO ORLANDO HOME SHOW."
  • I am partial to salt systems but if my goal was to protect my plumbing appliances only (water heater, steam unit, Dishwasher, wash machine etc...) and I wanted it maintenance free I would look hard at the salt free scale blaster. keep in mind though whether you go salt based or no-salt you will still need a carbon filter for taste/odor.
  • Walter M Walter M on Oct 10, 2011
    thanks for telling me where the coupon is located...nice bonus to this section have you ever had any talks with the management of this service?
  • Walter M Walter M on Oct 10, 2011
    ok i have reviewed the scale blaster out of clearwater florida.. being used on some cruise ships these days.. do you offer a good deal on one of them like the 175 or the XX ... do you also do the units for the swimming pools. carbon filter then could be put under the sinks for the drinking water filters like the one in the fridge -- yes or no you have contributed a lot to my knowledge here and i appreciate same too
  • Saila A Saila A on Oct 15, 2011
    thank you everybody for your inputs. i think i have to do some more research.
  • Walter M Walter M on Oct 16, 2011
    SCALE BLASTER---i have read about it plus have seen some pictures of before and after on board a ship -- i understand with a tankless hot water system the scale blaster would be a good purchase too BEN - are you a seller of these devices?
  • Yes The scale blaster is our preffered no-salt water conditioner. The 150 will do most homes but we have all sizes including the 175. We are not doing anything with the swimming pools with the scaleblaster. But we do pool solar, salt water pool conversions and variable speed pumps.
  • P.S with a tankless water heater some type of water conditioning is HIGHLY recommended
  • Walter M Walter M on Oct 18, 2011
    what would the price be for the 175 also i have a well not for house water but for irrigation and pool -- would you suggest i need a scale blaster on this or not? you say you do not do the mineral pure for the pool - i would enjoy understanding why not? thanks so much - i would be happy to give u a phone number but do not know if i should do so here
  • I don't like giving prices sight unseen but if you set up an appointment we will come out and give a free estimate. 407-905-0014 we don't do the mineral pure for the pool only because we are not familiar with it.
  • Walter M Walter M on Jan 19, 2012
    Ben - i will be in touch with you perhaps by summer. currently i am not in the area.
  • Saila, I don't know if you are still interested, but we sell a HydroCare unit that elinimates hardwater. It was used in model home by NAHB at the Orlando home show last year. It just clips on to your water pipe, plugs in, and immediatly begins breaking down the calcium and magnesium that create limescale