The Water Softener Blog

As a true water nerd and a curious investigator, I am involved in several online discussion forums focused on well water and water treatment. Quite some time ago, a forum member asked what size water softener they needed for their home. They had the water analysis and were replacing an existing system in a home they just purchased. Their family had grown, and the home they purchased also had in-laws’ quarters for the wife’s parents, who had retired. In this particular forum, I’ve had several back-and-forth “discussions” with another frequent contributor about applying and sizing water softeners. I respect all points of view—we can always learn something. This contributor leans traditional or “old school,” and we ended up with opposite recommendations. Let’s break it all down. We’ll explain the systems suggested and how The Water Softener Blog applies our four cornerstones— Advocacy, Expertise, Methodology, Education —to resolve the pr...

What is a Water Softener? A water softening or water conditioning system (as it is sometimes referred to) is an essential appliance for homes dealing with hard water. These systems remove hardness minerals—mainly calcium, magnesium, and some iron—from your water through a process called ion exchange, delivering softened water that helps protect plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances from hard water scale and iron staining. In short, a water softener enhances your home’s efficiency, extends plumbing fixtures and appliance life, extends water heater life, and makes water heaters much more efficient, and considerably reduces soap and detergent usage for dishwashing, clothes washing, and washing anything, including you!  Water Softener Systems Are Not One-Size-Fits-All! It’s imperative to know that water softeners are not the solution to every water quality issue. Problems such as  high iron , manganese , ...

When it comes to residential water softeners, the control valve is the heart of the system. It determines how efficiently your water softener system regenerates, it helps determine how long a water softener system lasts, and how easy it is to maintain and service. In 2025, several major brands continue to dominate the residential market. Including Clack, Fleck, Autotrol, EcoWater, Culligan, Kinetico, Whirlpool/GE, and Water Boss. "The Water Softener Blog" is researching in-depth for you, looking at the leading water softener systems and companies. What makes each one stand out in today’s market, and which models have proven reliable over time? We have a ranking chart for water softener systems for you. We delve into water softener models and the best water softener systems that are user and service-friendly for  DIY homeowners. 1. Clack Water Softeners Models: WS1, WS1.25, WS1.5  Reputation: Highly reliable, easy to service, water treatment dealer sales, and plumbing...