Q: Should I use the same amount of cleaning products as I used before my Kinetico softener was installed?

A: NO: It is VERY IMPORTANT that you reduce the amount of cleaning products that you use in all of your appliances. Softened water maximizes the effectiveness of your soap and cleaning products. You will use less laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, shampoo, and cleaners in general. Soap savings is one of the benefits of having soft water. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q. Where does the water softener get installed?

A. Typical water softener installation is next to where the water main line comes into the house. Garage, basement and the utility room are most common locations. It is generally next to the water heater. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q. Why does soft water feel "slippery"?

A. With no hardness minerals in the water you are feeling your natural skin; not the rough hardness minerals you used to feel with hard-water. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q. What does "grain capacity" mean?

A. The grain capacity of a water softener is the maximum amount of hardness it can remove before it needs to regenerate (self-clean). ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q. Why does a water softener need to regenerate?

A. Regeneration is the process used to clean the water softener of the hardness minerals that have been removed from the water. Think of a water softener as a filter that removes the hardness minerals; once the water softener is full of hardness minerals it needs to be cleaned so that it can once again remove more hardness minerals. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q. How often will the Kinetico water softener regenerate?

A. The Kinetico water softener meters your water usage and only regenerates as needed. The more water you use the more often it will regenerate. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q. Do I need a water softener with city water?            

A. It depends on local water conditions. You can use a sample water test kit to determine your water hardness levels, or call us for a water analysis. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q. Will a water softener make my water taste salty?

A. The softening process adds only 75 mg of sodium to a quart of typical, 10-grain-per-gallon hard-water. That's about half the sodium in one slice of bread. A salt-free alternative would be the use of potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q. How much water will a Kinetico water softener use?

A. During a typical regeneration the Kinetico water softener will use about the same amount of water as doing one load of laundry. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q: Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?

A: There are numerous reasons why water can have a rotten egg odor.  The most common are:

1. Hydrogen Sulfide Gas- To determine if sulfur gas is present, we must do an on-site test.  Sulfur gas can fluctuate with changes in weather.  To eliminate sulfur gas, it must be treated with a special piece of equipment.

2. Decaying Bacteria- Common to well water are numerous species of heterotrophic bacteria.  Once these bacteria reproduce and die, they will emit an odor, frequently similar to rotten eggs.  Treatment methods vary depending on the type of bacteria.  These bacteria may also build up on pre-filter cartridges.  Regular maintenance and the type of pre-filter cartridge used may eliminate the problem.

3. Hot Water Heater- There are a few reasons why water in the hot water heater may have an odor.  The most common would involve the magnesium rod or anode rod.  The anode rod is there to prevent corrosion of the steel exterior.  Please call our office for more information on the anode rod. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q: How do I manually regenerate my Kinetico water softener?

A: Using a Phillips screwdriver, apply pressure down to the softener valve center screw.  This is located on the clear plastic cap dead center on top of the black valve head.  Turn the screw clockwise until your hear three to four clicks and water flowing through the lines.  Remember to apply pressure while turning clockwise.  Repeat the manual procedure after the water flow stops to be sure that both resin tanks are regenerated. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Q: Why are my ice cubes not clear if I have a reverse osmosis unit feeding my icemaker?

A: This varies depending on age, make, and model of your icemaker.  The common cause for cloudy ice cubes is trapped air.  The process some ice makers use to make ice allows the introduction of air into the water lines ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................