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Message |
    
Milosdad
Citizen
Username: Milosdad
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 6:39 pm: | 
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Recently moved to a home in South Orange and have (to put it mildly) been revolted by the quality of the tap water for cooking and drinking as well as for cleaning, i.e. dishes out of the dishwasher have residue. We've been told we need to get a water softener as well as a filter for the kitcher faucet. Is this what most people in S. Orange do? If, so I would appreciate recommendations for companies that install water softeners and for a good quality water filter.
Also, I know that the water softening process adds sodium to the water; should people with high blood pressure be concerned? will the water filter rremove the salt?
Any help will be appreciated |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 959
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 6:48 pm: |
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check the South Orange Specific thread, "Why east orange water commission" & other SO threads re same - it's terrible...that said, welcome! |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4420
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 8:42 pm: |
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Water softening systems do not add sodium to the water. It is a myth.
The systems use a filter with charged ion media. The minerals that cause hard water are attracted and stick like magnets to the ion media. This creates the soft water. Nothing added.
The filter will clean itself on a cycle based on usage. This cleaning is done in the early AM and uses salt. The salt is injected into the filter which causes the Ion filter to release the gunk. The gunk is washed away, and then the salt is flushed from the filter system.
When all done the filter is put back online and the ion media draws the minerals back out of the water.
Some can say that trace elements of salt are in the water, however, that would be very little and the flushing removes all.
Enjoy,
George |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 961
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 8:52 pm: |
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Thanks Goerge - great explanation - makes me feel better about softeners |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4421
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 8:55 pm: |
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No problem.
What I hate about them is never being able to rinse the shampoo out of my hair (or what is left of it), or soap off of my body.
At least it feels that way. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 407
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 11:34 am: |
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You must use less soap/laundry detergent/dishwasher detergent when you have a softener.
And "squeaky clean" skin, where after rinsing your finger sort of skids across your skin in a stop/start way, perhaps even squeaking a bit, is actually skin with hard water minerals left on it. After washing in soft water your skin feels slippery smooth and is actually softer than if rinsed with hard water. It's not soap if it won't lather up again.
Your skin will noticeably feel better (especially in the winter!) when washing in softened water. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 408
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 11:44 am: |
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Milosdad - about your questions. I have a Culligan ( in W. Orange (973) 731-7110) "Mark 89" softener that regenerates on a "need/use" basis. It's about 7 yrs old so I'm sure they have similar but different models now. Culligan tracks our salt use and have us on a regular schedule for 4-5 bags of salt - they send a postcard with the delivery date on it. It's nice that they bring it in and pour it into the bin. The little extra we pay vs buying ourselves lugging and storing it, is well worth it!
For our kitchen sink, we use a Moen ("guaranteed for life, and they really are - a very good investment for S.Orange homeowners with such hard water!!!) Pure Touch filter faucet. See sample here http://my.estoresnw.com/kap/Product.asp?ItemID=84
We have a basic, plumber installed, filter attached to the water line for the ice-maker.
We also use a chilled spring water dispenser and buy 6 gallon bottles of spring water for drinking at BJ's Warehouse in Mountainside (sadly Costco stopped carrying large bottles of spring water!).
Oh, and we use Glass Magic in the DW along with Trader Joe's detergent which works extremely well and was very highly rated by Consumer Reports.
Final tip: When we moved in, a Jayson brand softener was installed as a rental. Bottom line, when I had them relocate it - before we woke up and decided to buy instead of rent - they installed it wrong and it was "blowing resin" throughout the household plumbing. For that and other reason we decided against Jayson and went with Culligan. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12434
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 2:26 pm: |
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We have an under-the-sink filter in our kitchen, made by Multi-Pure. They sent an installer. It cost us $200 or $300, with parts and labor. We're supposed to change the filter every year or two. We're in Maplewood, where the water doesn't suck as badly as in South Orange, but I can say it makes a noticeable difference.
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Eire
Citizen
Username: Eire
Post Number: 110
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 6:25 pm: |
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We had a softener and filter (hooked up to refrigerator for drinking water and ice) hooked up by Jayson about a month ago. About a week into it, I noticed little black pieces of what looked like sand. from others on the board I suspected "blowing resin" - not that I really understand what that means or how serious it is. Today I actually left an emergency message at Jayson, because in 3 weeks I haven't had a call returned, and I DEFINITELY saw the black particles in the tub (that my daughter takes a bath in) today... I LOVE the filter hooked up to the drinking water. Jury's still out on the softener, and frankly, I'm leaning towards cutting ties with Jayson after only our one month anniversary.
Anyone have any thoughts about this whole "blowing resin" thing? Tried to look it up on the net, but don't understand really... is it a serious problem??
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Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4427
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 8:30 pm: |
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The resin you found is a plastic based product. While not what you wanted to see, it is harmless.
Think about it. When installed correctly your drinking water stands then flow around it before you have your drink. |
Eire
Citizen
Username: Eire
Post Number: 111
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 9:17 pm: |
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Jgberkeley,
"when installed correctly your drinking water stands then flow around it before you have your drink" ?? Not sure I understand what you're saying. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 418
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 9:28 pm: |
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However, if it IS resin, it could be very very bad for your plumbing. The resin is not supposed to leave it's container.
I have a feeling what you are seeing, Eire, is something I read another poster comment on in another thread, and not resin but something in the water - I think they said the water company called it something like particulate? I don't remember - try calling your water company and describing it.
When resin was "blowing" through our plumbing it was a serious amount and as I recall they were little balls of dark reddish plastic. Not a grit.
IMO, Jayson is displaying a serious lack of consumer service. Are you renting or did you buy? If renting, I'd recommend buying - especially if you are a SO resident. And I've had zero problems with Culligan in about 7 years. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 209
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 12:02 am: |
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We're going with Culligan. |
Eire
Citizen
Username: Eire
Post Number: 114
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 11:51 am: |
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yeah - I wish I had known about Culligan before I signed with Jayson, but we are renting... we'll see what they do this time, and if not, I guess we'll have to lose the Jayson installation charges... how big were the resin beads? These looked kind of like sand on the white bathtub... not big at all... |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 434
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 12:00 pm: |
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Way bigger than sand as I recall. Maybe call Culligan, explain the situation & ask their opinion. Then tell them you're a renter thinking of changing companies and what can they do to help convince you to switch to them. I don't think they rent softeners, but I think buying is a better long term investment for SO residents anyway. Who knows, they may be willing to give you a bit of a deal to offset your costs to Jayson. (I know I would if I ran the Culligan office.) If they do, let us know.
Meanwhile, maybe try rubberbanding the foot of a old (clean) pantyhose (perhaps even doubled up) on the end of your tub faucet to try to catch the granules that bother your child in the tub. |
Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 154
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 7:40 pm: |
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We moved to South Orange this past Summer. Once we started adding "Glass Magic" to the dishwasher, the glasses stopped coming out looking like they all had milk residue in them.
We have a water cooler for all cooking, drinking and coffee water.
That "Glass Magic" is aptly named, the glasses are really clean.
J.B. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3353
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 7:44 pm: |
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We just got a Water Softener from Jayson and have been happy, so far. The water definitely tastes different and "feels" cleaner than it did before
We also looked at Culligan, but Jayson beat their price by more than $200 for a comparable setup. |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4429
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 9:41 pm: |
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To be more clear when I posted
"when installed correctly your drinking water stands then flow around it before you have your drink" ?? Not sure I understand what you're saying.
When all the water outlets in your house are closed, there is no water flow, so water stands in the resin tank. I just sits and waits, the when you open a faucet and water flows it flows thru, in and around the resin and heads to your water glass.
That is what I ment to communicate.
Enjoy,
George |
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