Charlie: Nathaniel from Rosharon has our next question. “I would like to know what whole house water filtration system you’d recommend?” He wants to know the pros and cons, Tom, of a system that uses salt and one that is salt-free.
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Tom: Well first off, the first part of that question was a filter. If you have a sediment issue, I had a sediment filter in a house I had in Lake Placid, New York because the water came from the lakes. I did not have a water softener because it’s naturally softened water in New York State, especially upstate. So, you wouldn’t need one. He asked about a filter. I don’t think you need a filter. If you do, it would just be a standard sediment filter. You can’t filter the whole thing to where it’s gonna be the purest drinking water, then you go to a reverse osmosis in your kitchen, and then of course with a water softening system, which he’s asking about. No, you need a water softener and salt is exactly what you use. It doesn’t have to use a lot if you get the right system. The people at Aquatex, they have a great water softening system. I use one bag every three months. It’s so little. Don’t worry about it.
Charlie: What about, but he’s asking about the salt-free. What about, like he says, he does on to say, “What about these citrus-based systems that are coming out now?”
Tom: Charlie, I called you, what was it, two weekends ago and I said, “I saw the infomercial finally.”
Charlie: I know, but our dear listener friend here wasn’t there on the call.
Tom: I know, I know.
Charlie: That’s why I was bringing it up.
Tom: I’m trying not to beat it up, but to soften water, you have to use a salt system. You have to replace it. A lot of people … and you have gotten some questions on our website about this lately. It’s all because of the infomercials running right now. Be very careful. Is it citrus? Is it a magnet? What is it? It’s not gonna work until you use this water softener and it’s just the bottom line. I don’t care what anybody says.
Charlie: Well the pitch on the citrus system is that it’s not only gonna solve that problem, but it’s going to also clean all of the build-up off of the taps and everything around the house. Have you heard that claim?
Tom: Well you know what, softened water is aggressive. Even if you get a water softener, it will somewhat clean. In fact, if you have an old home and you put a water softener on, a good water softening company will tell you for three months you need to clean your aerators and stuff because it will loosen some debris, but it is not a cleanser. It’s just a little more aggressive and you’re gonna get a little chunk here and a little chunk there. It’s not gonna be … You can’t look back in the pipes, like TDT when they sandblast the pipe and it looks so beautiful. It’s not gonna look like that. I’m sorry.