Why I Founded The Water Softener Blog: A Consumer-Advocate Mission
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, and 5-year costs—not just today’s price.
- Bias has no place here. I link to multiple vendors, disclose affiliate relationships, and explain exactly why I recommend these products.
These Cornerstone Principles of "The Water Softener Blog" guide our approach to the water treatment business.
The Gaps I See (and How This Site Fixes Them)
- One-size-does-not-fit-all sales. Real homes have unique water chemistry, flow rates, and usage. You’ll find sizing guides, treatment trains, and decision trees tailored to those realities.
- Thin reviews. Many “best of” lists skip testing. Here, I publish methods, criteria, and limitations in Truth-in-Testing reviews.
- Hidden costs. Ownership costs aren’t fine print—they’re front and center in my Costs & Ownership content.
- Missing diagnostics. Not listening to the customer, smells, staining, running out of soft water, water usage for the home and family, off-tastes deserve evidence, and the right problem-solving solutions, not guesses. How does this affect water quality and possible resale value? The Investigator Series walks through root-cause problem-solving step by step.
How I Work (E-E-A-T in Practice)
- Experience: Field notes from real-world installs and service calls (no customer identities or faces).
- Expertise: I cite standards (NSF/ANSI, EPA/CDC) and manufacturer specs in plain English.
- Authoritativeness: Key guides may be peer-reviewed by licensed pros; I’ll show “Reviewed by” with a date.
- Trust: Clear editorial policy, testing methodology, corrections, and a no-pay-to-play pledge.
What You’ll Find Here
- Buyer’s Checklists: Verify sizing, certifications, installation fit, and ongoing costs before you buy.
- Treatment Guides: Arsenic, VOCs, iron/manganese, sulfur odor—evidence-based solutions and maintenance.
- Truth-in-Testing Reviews: Methods, pass/fail criteria, best-for/not-for, and alternatives.
- Pro Tips: Maintenance schedules, operating efficiency, preventing salt bridging, and extending system life.
- Costs & Ownership: Five-year cost projections, repair vs. replace decision matrices.
Editorial Standards & Disclosures
How we make money: When I recommend a product, I may use affiliate links. I never sell placement or take payment for positive coverage. I always link to multiple retailers and provide non-affiliate options when useful. If I haven’t personally used a product, tested something, or have a customer who uses it and shares their experience with it, I’ll say so—along with why it still made the cut (or didn’t).
Corrections & updates: Water standards and products are constantly evolving. I revisit key pages, update dates, and publish corrections to keep guidance current.
My Promise
I started this site because I love the water treatment business, meeting new people, solving problems, and helping families get safe, great-tasting water—period. If a cheaper, simpler option solves your problem responsibly, that’s what I’ll recommend. The right answer is always to "listen to the customer" and "test first," and that's where we start.
Quick Links
Water Treatment Buyer’s Checklist
I wish you Good days and Good water!
For more guides on water treatment. Subscribe to the TWSB for expert advice on water softening, water filtration, drinking water systems, water treatment system reviews, water softener salt, DIY, water issues in the news, water and our health, how to treat your water, and comprehensive water testing. Product name, logo, brands, and other registered trademarks featured or referred to within TheWaterSoftenerBlog.com are the property of their respective trademark holders.
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Thank you, Ray