Home Water Filter/Softener

kfrede86 · Jul 28, 2016

So I purchased a home about 3 years ago and have been wanting to get a filter or softener or combo? for the house. We've been having problems with clothes developing rust stains. I know nothing about this type of equipment and don't know if it's something I can install myself or if I should have a pro come out and take a look at it. We are on well water and the pressure/bladder tank and hot water heater are located in the garage; it get's cold out there in the winter so if this is where it need to be installed it would have to withstand cold temps.

If anyone could provide information or recommend a professional it would be greatly appreciated. As mentioned, I don't know too much about this kind of stuff and wouldn't know where to start. Thanks

Bertfish · Jul 28, 2016

The rust is either mud from your well (rust colored) or actual rust from iron pipes (if you have any).

A regular home water filter available from the Home Depot should filter out most mud and rust with ease. Very simple to install yourself. At my place it is placed just after the bladder tank so as to protect the hot water heater as well as all of the other hardware in your house.

If you have a mineral problem (hard water; if you have white tubs/sinks it will slowly turn them blue/green) you would probably need to look at a softener system. I know little about those.

Any plumber could be hired to do either job but IMO a plain jane water filter is so easy to install you'd be throwing money away hiring someone to do it.

AntiGun · Jul 28, 2016

With staining iron you need the softener filter combo. Softener will reduce the level of soluble iron and the filter will clean up iron that has become non-soluble(basically rust). If you have iron bacteria or colloidal iron you may need additional water cleanup. I'm dealing with upgrading an existing system now. The learning curve is not too steep and there's a great deal of info available on the web if you are mechanically inclined and wish to install it yourself. Systems can be bought from Amazon for under $1k. Otherwise you could call Culligan or another local provider to set you up. We have a few water gurus on the forum who will hopefully chime in.

Get the water tested to verify the source of iron or mud before you spend anything on a system.

If you've been there for 3 years and this is the first you've seen clothes being stained then maybe check the water heater before anything else.

kfrede86 · Jul 28, 2016

Bertfish said:
The rust is either mud from your well (rust colored) or actual rust from iron pipes (if you have any).

A regular home water filter available from the Home Depot should filter out most mud and rust with ease. Very simple to install yourself. At my place it is placed just after the bladder tank so as to protect the hot water heater as well as all of the other hardware in your house.

If you have a mineral problem (hard water; if you have white tubs/sinks it will slowly turn them blue/green) you would probably need to look at a softener system. I know little about those.

Any plumber could be hired to do either job but IMO a plain jane water filter is so easy to install you'd be throwing money away hiring someone to do it.

I haven't noticed any discoloration within the sinks or tubs. Only iron pipes are directly after the bladder tank and switch to copper shortly after. I've been looking at lowes, home depot, and amazon for different filters. Any particular brands I should check out or stay away from?

Thank you

AntiGun said:
With staining iron you need the softener filter combo. Softener will reduce the level of soluble iron and the filter will clean up iron that has become non-soluble(basically rust). If you have iron bacteria or colloidal iron you may need additional water cleanup. I'm dealing with upgrading an existing system now. The learning curve is not too steep and there's a great deal of info available on the web if you are mechanically inclined and wish to install it yourself. Systems can be bought from Amazon for under $1k. Otherwise you could call Culligan or another local provider to set you up. We have a few water gurus on the forum who will hopefully chime in.

Get the water tested to verify the source of iron or mud before you spend anything on a system.

If you've been there for 3 years and this is the first you've seen clothes being stained then maybe check the water heater before anything else.

Thanks, I'll look into testing before any purchasing. I thought the water heater as well and began washing clothes with cold water with the same results. I'm hoping this is something I can do on my own. My only concern is the cold temps felt in the garage where the filter/softener will most likely be installed. Thank you for the information.

Bertfish · Jul 28, 2016

kfrede86 said:
I haven't noticed any discoloration within the sinks or tubs. Only iron pipes are directly after the bladder tank and switch to copper shortly after. I've been looking at lowes, home depot, and amazon for different filters. Any particular brands I should check out or stay away from?

Thank you

Not that I am aware of. They are all the same basic thing; a plastic housing that holds a filter that water must pass through.

K31 · Jul 28, 2016

kfrede86 said:
So I purchased a home about 3 years ago and have been wanting to get a filter or softener or combo? for the house. We've been having problems with clothes developing rust stains. I know nothing about this type of equipment and don't know if it's something I can install myself or if I should have a pro come out and take a look at it. We are on well water and the pressure/bladder tank and hot water heater are located in the garage; it get's cold out there in the winter so if this is where it need to be installed it would have to withstand cold temps.

If anyone could provide information or recommend a professional it would be greatly appreciated. As mentioned, I don't know too much about this kind of stuff and wouldn't know where to start. Thanks

I don't know if they work as far as St. Marys but I've been very happy with Phelps in Edgewater.

http://www.phelpswater.com/

Stay away from Water Check.

MRA · Jul 28, 2016

Bertfish said:
Not that I am aware of. They are all the same basic thing; a plastic housing that holds a filter that water must pass through.

This is true for a filter but not softeners. Each softener manufacturer can give the pros for their design and cons for their competitors. In general, better softeners use less salt for regeneration and have better quality valves and valve control units. Our unit is made by Hague Quality Water. It has been running 16 years w/o a glitch. The one in our previous house is going on 20 years w/o any problems. I'm sure there are other companies with good track records. My SIL's system is made by Culligan. She has had their system serviced many times in 12 years. She has also by-passed it several times for months because of the estimated repair cost. Maybe she got a lemon.

Bertfish · Jul 28, 2016

MRA said:
This is true for a filter but not softeners. Each softener manufacturer can give the pros for their design and cons for their competitors. In general, better softeners use less salt for regeneration and have better quality valves and valve control units. Our unit is made by Hague Quality Water. It has been running 16 years w/o a glitch. The one in our previous house is going on 20 years w/o any problems. I'm sure there are other companies with good track records. My SIL's system is made by Culligan. She has had their system serviced many times in 12 years. She has also by-passed it several times for months because of the estimated repair cost. Maybe she got a lemon.

Yes I was referring to the filter. I don't know squat about water softeners. My bad for the lack of clarity.

traveller · Jul 28, 2016

MRA said:
My SIL's system is made by Culligan. She has had their system serviced many times in 12 years. She has also by-passed it several times for months because of the estimated repair cost. Maybe she got a lemon.

Culligan makes their money on the service end of the deal. Someone has to pay for the 'hey culligan man' commercials.

Anyone here have experience with 'greensand filters'? I have some soluble iron and a slight hydrogen sulfide smell in my water. I understand that a greensand filter would take care of that.

Anyone have a good water lab they can recommend?

kfrede86 · Jul 28, 2016

Thank you all for the suggestions and for pointing me in the right direction.

kfrede86 · Jul 28, 2016

traveller said:
Culligan makes their money on the service end of the deal. Someone has to pay for the 'hey culligan man' commercials.

Anyone here have experience with 'greensand filters'? I have some soluble iron and a slight hydrogen sulfide smell in my water. I understand that a greensand filter would take care of that.

Anyone have a good water lab they can recommend?

We had a test done when we purchased the house. Trying to find the place we used. If I can track that down I'll pass the info along.

PapiBarcelona · Jul 28, 2016

How far away is a county water line? I jest

kfrede86 · Jul 28, 2016

PapiBarcelona said:
How far away is a county water line? I jest

Potomac or Patuxent? :toothless

Tomcat · Jul 28, 2016

Winslow's or Patuxent Pump and Well (both in Hollywood) may be able to help with water tests, filters and softeners.

K31 · Jul 28, 2016

traveller said:
Culligan makes their money on the service end of the deal. Someone has to pay for the 'hey culligan man' commercials.

Anyone here have experience with 'greensand filters'? I have some soluble iron and a slight hydrogen sulfide smell in my water. I understand that a greensand filter would take care of that.

Anyone have a good water lab they can recommend?

Before you spend money on a green sand you may want to look at your water heater.

http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/Troubleshooting/stinky-water-in-hot-water-heaters.html

kfrede86 · Jul 28, 2016

hitwtom said:
Winslow's or Patuxent Pump and Well (both in Hollywood) may be able to help with water tests, filters and softeners.

Thanks, I'll check them out.

goose4 · Jul 28, 2016

Also be sure to check the washer/dryer closely....Had a similar problem and found the stains were coming from the dryer. It was some sort of grease in a crevice where the drum met the side or around the lint trap. Good luck!

Overboost44 · Jul 28, 2016

Hague has a location in Churchton, MD. I have had my Hague water softener for 15 years or more and have only had them out here to fix/tune it twice. It is true they make their money on service, but they aren't making much on me. I don't know if they make them like they used to, but I would at least suggest you look into them.

rseymorejr · Jul 28, 2016

I think you can have your water tested at Home Depot. Rainsoft does the testing and puts together a proposal for your needs. I don't think they are cheap though.

plumberone · Jul 28, 2016

Start solving the rust problem by replacing the iron pipes after your well tank.

Home Water Filter/Softener

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Ultimate Member

Throw bread on me

.

Ultimate Member

Throw bread on me

"Part of that Ultra MAGA Crowd"

Active Member

Throw bread on me

The one with two L

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Formerly Known As HITWTOM

"Part of that Ultra MAGA Crowd"

Ultimate Member

Member

6th gear

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics