Testing Water for softness

[rdgallo]

I have a Culligan Model 89 water softener that I suspect is not working correctly _ water seems too hard. Is there some way I can test the water to see how hard/soft it is? I know there must be test kits you can purchase, but where would I find one? Is there some test I can do on my own before I make a service call?

Thanks for any advice provided.

[bkrahmer]

A quick google search uncovered this: http://www.watersafetestkits.com/html/drinkingkits.asp

[roger g]

I used to do water testing all the time in fact I've still got the kit around somewhere. I'm not sure how the "over the counter" ones work. If I remember correctly we had a small glas vial that we filled with water then we put a tiny measured amount of these special crystals and the water turned purple ( I think) then with an eye dropper we dripped some special liquid into the vial until it cleared. If it took 10 drops then the water was 10 grains of hardness if it took 20 drops then it was 20 grains of hardness. The hardest I ever saw was about 42 grains and I think the water extruded from the tap rather than pour.
Maytag figured that if the water hardness was 8 grains or more, then the soap dispenser on their dishwasher wasn't big enough to compensate for the hardness. Interesting huh!
I got lots of this useless stuff.


roger5

[HDNord]

I think I have the same kit Roger is talking about although I'm not sure where it is and haven't used it in more than 10 years. When I worked for Sears 30 years ago we did a free hardness, iron, and PH test with the kit.

Before buying a kit (if available) why not call Culligan and see if they will test your water. Perhaps for a small fee or even for free they will test your water.

I also recently have seen companies selling water softners offering free water tests at home shows.

[roger g]

I wouldn't let THAT @$@@$@%@%$%@%$@ company in my town let alone my house.

Story time: Once upon a time there was this really good looking guy who had just moved into a house where the water was hard. This good looking guy actually had his own test kit so he knew it was hard. This house had been owned by this guy for several years and was going to be fixed up to sell so he could move to paradise on the west coast. This particular softener companywas called and a young female sales rep was sent out. After listening to the sales rep the guy decided to go ehead with the contract. During the conversation he had told her that we would soon be moving. .
It was a BIG contract and this good looking guy said to the sales rep " Is there anything I should really be aware of ", "no" she says, batting her lashes. So this stupid buffoon signed the contract without reading much
A couple of days later the unit is installed. I should point out that he already owned outright a softner but it was in another home. A few days after installation the wife of this buffoon happened to read the contract and yelled out "hey you big stud, did you know you signed a 3 year agreement?" "No" he frantically says, "I did not!"
This buffoon, albeit a goodlooking buffoon actually read the contract. After passing out and waking up in hospital this guy couldn't believe what he had signed especially since who knew a fair amount about legal issues.
As the unit had been installed less than a week he thought that it would be simple to have them remove the unit and possibly pay a penalty of some sort. By a shear fluke the penalty did work out to be the same as 3 years of rental. Amazing coincedence. Without going into the many many parts of the contract which would scare the dead the one that comes to mind was that even if the guy sold the home he was still responsible for the payments. He couldn't get out of it and he actually stayed in the house longer than he had anticipated.
A lesson was learned because this guy started to read all the contracts that he had ALREADY signed. Did you know that if you went to your bank and asked for your money, they don't have to give it to you right then or even the next day. Try reading your telephone contract. Try reading all your contracts.
This couple did eventually survive and took a magic carpet ride to the land of paradise though he has rather a jaundiced eye since then. They are as happy as pigs in shit.
edit: I did not write caca. some little elf in the system must have.

roger

[Rich]

Why not go down to the local fish store and pick up a hardness test? About 3 bucks.

[giddonah]

that was a nice story roger. I'll have to read it to my nephews at bed time the next time I'm there :)

[VALENT]

Those good looking buffoons never pay attention when a pretty female is around. And you, being married, and all....Shameeeee!!!!!!!!1