The Water Softener Blog

Traditional carbon block filters have served homeowners well for decades, but they come with clear limitations: pressure drop, clogging, and short service life. Pentair has introduced an innovation that reshapes how we think about residential water filtration— Fibredyne™ Carbon Technology . This proprietary design combines the adsorption power of carbon with the strength of fibers, creating a filter that lasts longer, flows better, and protects your home more effectively. The future of water treatment is here, and it’s called Fibredyne . What Is Fibredyne™? Fibredyne is more than just another carbon block. It uses a proprietary wet-molding process to fuse powdered activated carbon with a fibrous matrix. This design forms a unified structure that allows water to pass through multiple pathways, trapping sediment before it clogs the carbon core. The result: a filter that functions as both a sediment filter and a carbon block in one cartridge. Because of this hybrid design, Fib...

If you’ve ever wondered whether softened water is safe to drink, you’re not alone —well over 165,000 people search for this topic every month. In this guide, we’ll cut through the confusion with a clear explanation of what “water softener water” actually is, when it’s safe to drink, where it may not be ideal, and the best alternatives if you want the benefits of soft water without added sodium. 💧 Is Water Softener Water Safe to Drink? Over 165,000 people search this topic every month. Here’s the expert answer. Read the Guide What Is Water Softener Water? Home water softeners use water softening  resin to replace hardness minerals—primarily calcium and magnesium—with a small amount of sodium (or potassium, if you use potassium chloride). This prevents limescale on fixtures, inside pipes, and in water-using appliances. Softened water often feels “silkier” on skin and helps soaps and detergents work more efficiently. Is Softene...

A long-time customer moved into a lakefront home and immediately encountered water problems: coliform bacteria, discolored water, rusty water, hard water, and terrible-smelling water. This is how we investigated—and fixed—the real water problems. Listen to the customer, perform a proper water analysis, a complete system diagnosis, and recommend the correct water treatment solutions. The Call: “Our Water Is a Mess” Even before closing, the well had tested positive for coliform bacteria . The seller had a well contractor shock-chlorinate the system, flush the well afterwards, and a well water re-test for bacteria cleared the sale. But once remodeling began, the homeowners discovered the water was hard, rusty, discolored , and had a strange odor . The customer called the original water treatment company out to inspect the system. They recommended a water softener valve rebuild and replacing the waterlogged pressure tank. One of those items w...

My customers always came first—and they still do. I built The Water Softener Blog so homeowners can make informed, safe, and cost-smart decisions about water treatment without facing sales pressure, gimmicks, or misinformed service and salespeople. Who I Am (and Why This Matters) For more than thirty years, I’ve worked across the water treatment industry: delivery, residential and commercial installation, service technician and troubleshooting, trainer, and sales and service representative. I’ve seen what works, what fails, and—too often—what’s sold when it shouldn’t be. That broad, hands-on perspective is what I bring to every guide, checklist, recommendation, insight, and review on this site. What I Believe People over products. Equipment is a tool; the right diagnosis is the solution. Evidence beats hype. Water tests, field data, and standards—not marketing claims—drive recommendations. Long-term ownership matters. I factor in maintenance, parts, a...

Home automation has expanded far beyond smart thermostats and lighting. Today, even private well water systems are joining the connected home revolution. By integrating well pumps, water treatment equipment, and monitoring devices with smart home hubs, homeowners gain unprecedented control and protection over their most vital resource—clean water. In this article, we’ll explore the latest technology trends in smart home integration for well water systems , including leak detection, real-time water quality monitoring, automated shutoff systems, and smartphone alerts. 1. Leak Detection Sensors Leaks in a well water system can waste thousands of gallons and cause expensive property damage. New smart leak detection sensors can be installed: At vulnerable points like pressure tanks, water heaters, or under sinks. Wireless and battery-powered , sending signals to a hub or directly to a smartphone app. Linked to automations —when a leak is detected, an alert is sent instantl...

Welcome to the first article in The Investigator Series , where we approach water treatment problems like detectives. By carefully listening, gathering evidence, and investigating all possible causes, we can uncover the real issues behind smelly water, hydrogen sulfide odors, sediment, bacteria, and water problems —and then apply the right solutions that deliver long-lasting results. When solving water problems , the most important step is to “listen” carefully to the customer. Taking notes about their water quality concerns and investigating every detail will help uncover the root causes. Being a true problem solver in the water treatment business will always go further than just selling equipment as a temporary band-aid. Recently, while researching our article  "Top 5 Shower Filters with Carbon + KDF-55 (and Why They Help) " , I spoke with a product specialist from a manufacturer. What started as a simple product question turned into a conversation about his perso...

All shower filters are not the same. In this article, we delve into shower filters and why using the correct one for your water makes a big difference—not only in the quality of the water in the shower, but also for your health. Using a shower filter with no more than three types of filtration media is the most practical approach for most households. Fewer media types mean a higher concentration of each medium, allowing water more contact time with the filter. This improves chlorine reduction, odor removal, and bacterial suppression—while also extending the life of the shower filter cartridge. By contrast, shower filters advertised with five or more filtration media often exhaust quickly. The small amounts of each medium inside don’t last long, especially when challenged with chlorine or odor-causing contaminants from well water. While they may provide a short-term benefit, their effectiveness diminishes much faster than a simpler carbon + KDF-55 filter design. Hot wa...