Water Softener FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Online guidance on hard water softening and water conditioning

What is hard water?

Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)

The term hardness refers to the quantity of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water. These minerals, which come primarily from limestone type rock formations, are found to some degree in almost all natural waters. Calcium and magnesium cause problems for two principal reasons:

When the water is warmed, they precipitate out of solution and form a hard, rock-like scale. This scale accelerates corrosion, restricts flow, and reduces heat transfer in water heaters and boilers.
When they combine with soap, they react to form a curd, which interferes with cleaning, dries out skin, and leaves deposits on plumbing and clothes (bathtub ring; ring around the collar).
Hardness is measured in parts per million (or the equivalent mg/L) or in grains per gallon (gpg). Note: if the water analysis is given in ppm as CaCO3 then 1 gpg = 17.1 ppm. There is no established limit for the acceptable level of hardness in water, but it is generally considered to become problematic at around 3 gpg.

Levels of hardness are referred to as follows:

Soft Water: 0 - 1 grains per gallon (gpg)
Slightly Hard Water: 1 - 4 grains per gallon (gpg)
Moderately Hard Water: 4 - 7 grains per gallon (gpg)
Hard Water: 7 - 10 grains per gallon (gpg)
Very Hard Water: Over 10 grains per gallon (gpg)

What is water softening?

The reduction or removal of calcium and magnesium ions, which are the principal cause of hardness in water.

What is a water softener?

A water softener is a water treatment device in which hard water is passed through a bed of filtration media for the purpose of exchanging calcium and magnesium ions for sodium or potassium ions.

Why do I need a water softener?

Water softening prevents hard water soap curd, lime scum in the sink and bathtub. White chalky scale in your pipes, hot water heaters, shower doors, dishes, glassware, and fixtures. Soft water makes a difference! Our home water softeners will make you feel better bathing, improve your water, and allow soaps and detergents to clean better.

 

How much water does a water softener use?

 

Truly efficient - Our whole house water softeners are equipped with a digital metered control valve that will electronically measure and display the amount of water you use before it begins it's regeneration cycle. Therefore, eliminating unnecessary regenerations. Water softeners are backwashing systems that automatically remove the trapped hard water minerals within the filter bed and washes them down the drain. This is accomplished with the electronic control valve that is mounted on top of the softener .This valve is controlled by a meter, that calculates the amount of water being used.Once the meter reaches x amount of gallons, It then initiates the backwash cycle that cleans the bed of filtration media and resets it for the next period of filtration.

What type of maintenance does a water softener need?

Just add either potassium or sodium pellets. Pellets are added to the brine tank of the softener. The more often a softener is regenerated, the more often pellets need to be added. Typically, water softener pellets are checked once or every other month.

Will a water softener provide quality drinking water?

We offer complete water softener packages that will soften your hard water, provide chlorine bad tastes, and odor filtration and for customers who want that bottled water taste we offer an optional reverse osmosis drinking water filter.

Do you know who your water treatment dealer is?

 

Before you purchase your new water softener you should have "Customer Assurance" - RainDance Water Systems has become a stable and reliable name in the water treatment industry. We take great measures to assure our customers the best quality, dependability, service, and reliability. We offer the following:

• Member Ramona Chamber Of Commerce
• Secure online ordering or call toll free 1-877-788-8387
• Talk about our water softeners with our online LIVE chat at the top of this webpage.
• We know our water softeners! Quality Equipment - Knowledge - Superior Customer Service
• Technical support available.
• Free shipping within the continental US - Overseas exporting available.
• RainDance Water Systems customers include numerous residential households on well and city water sources, commercial applications, business facilities and farms throughout the United States, Venezuela, Spain, Africa, Canada, Japan, U.K., Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore, Kabul, Afghanistan, and Malaysia.
• A small sample of our customer base includes: The U.S. Army, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Federation, The United States Coast Guard, Washington St. National Park Service, San Diego State University, Arizona State University, Palomar College, Golden Eagle Thoroughbred Horse Farm, Buckridge Plantation and Stables, Advanced Marine PTE., Quinlan Texas Elementary School, Fairbanks Farms, Hunter Industries, Sonance Corp., Owens Brigam Medical, 1st Choice GMAC Realty, Century 21 Realty, Coldwell Banker Realty, Austin Productions, Fairfield Country Club, and Auer Precision Inc. Just to name a few.