Do Waukesha residents really need a water softener at home? According to our Master Tradesman, that’s a hard YES. Here’s why.

It’s all-or-nothing for Waukesha residents’ health and safety.

Natural Waukesha water is by no means soft-most residents know this and treat their water accordingly-but to call it merely “hard” would be an understatement. For reference, the US Department of Energy considers “hard water” to be anything over 7.5 grains per gallon (GPG). Waukesha water clocks 25 easily.

As a result, before transitioning onto Milwaukee’s water supply, Waukesha residents for decades had a special relationship with water softeners. They weren’t a luxury, but a necessity. But what about now? Isn’t Milwaukee’s water much softer than Waukesha’s? And if so, isn’t it time to reopen the water softener debate?

Both of these questions have short answers (yes, Milwaukee water is softer; no, it’s not that much softer). But not every customer is satisfied with a short answer-and neither are we. So let’s dissect this new water situation in regular Austin style: with straight talk and hard evidence.

Assessing Your Options

Consumers now have a choice to make. There are three basic possibilities from here:

• The first option is to ditch your water softener. Going without a water softener may save you some money, but it comes with an array of obvious downsides (and some less-obvious ones).
• The second option is to trade it in for a chemical reduction filter, instead.
• Finally, there’s the third option, which is to invest in a hybrid system that can both soften Milwaukee’s water and remove the chemicals used to purify it from Lake Michigan’s hazardous natural bateria. (Spoiler alert: this is the best answer. If you stick around, we guarantee you’ll understand why.)

So, what kind of pertinent facts should you use to help make your decision? We thought you’d never ask!

Let’s start with…

Fact #1: Water coming from Milwaukee is harder than Waukesha’s used to.

Waukesha has joined Milwaukee and will now be getting its water straight from Lake Michigan, which has an estimated hardness of 8.01 GPG. That’s 8.01 more than you want. Sure, it’s less than 25-but that’s not a proper comparison, because the average Waukesha resident isn’t used to unsoftened, 25-grain Waukesha water. They’re used to 0-grain water; that is, water softened so thoroughly that it no longer resembles the old Waukesha water supply. Modern technology is truly awesome sometimes!

See, a softener’s job isn’t to lower the water’s hardness to some non-specific number and call it a day (because hey, at least it’s not absurdly hard anymore!). Why settle for that? The entire point of a water softener is to give you water that is perfectly soft, no matter your starting point.

How bad can it be?

For the sake of discussion, though, let’s say one of our Waukesha soft water customers wanted to try living without a water softener. Look, we’re not catastrophizing-the change wouldn’t literally kill you-but it wouldn’t be pleasant, either. You might not hate it as much as roaches or taxes, but we’re pretty confident you’d be less than pleased with the results.

That’s because the difference would be evident virtually everywhere: in your laundry machine, dishwasher, shower-anywhere you use water at all. Water hardness noticeably affects the way soap lathers (or doesn’t), how skin and hair feel out of the shower, and even how food and drink taste and smell. These aren’t just everyday things. They’re multiple-times-a-day things.

You really don’t realize how many moments you’ve lived in ignorant bliss until you experience a sudden increase in mineral content that makes your water pretty much ruin everything it touches. At least if you get bored, you can use your finger to try to spell “regret” in the fog spots on your never-really-clean dishes that never fully dry.

Soft water’s benefits are more than superficial.

Like water from Lake Michigan, this issue runs pretty deep. There’s a lot to consider, like the fact that even in water with “moderate” hardness (around 8 GPG), the presence of corrosive minerals proves more than enough to wreak slow havoc on a home plumbing system. Without a water softener, everything else suffers and breaks more easily. What little money you might save on soft water would only end up funding more frequent repairs.

Also, the case for residential (at-home) water softeners has additional advantages that aren’t covered by commercial (business) water softeners. For example, uniquely residential uses of soft water, like using it to wash your face in the morning, tend to improve a person’s daily life both physically and emotionally. You’re a little more hygienic, a little more confident, and a lot less inclined to wait in line at Starbucks just for that “triple-filtered” cup of tap water on ice.

Fact #2: New Waukesha water (drawn from Milwaukee’s section of Lake Michigan) will be laden with chemicals you’re not used to, either.

Old Waukesha water came from deep underground, via high-capacity drilled wells. One could consider Milwaukee water to be relatively soft, if only in comparison to that. And hey, at the end of the day, you might be one of the few people who don’t mind 8-grain water!

But even if you’re OK with it in theory, reality always comes with a catch.

In this case, the trade-off is that lake water, while softer, also harbors more bacteria. In turn, that means additional decontamination measures are required to make it potable (safe to ingest) before it’s introduced to the populace. Again, will it literally kill you? No. The byproducts of industrial decontaminants are ultimately safer than the actual contaminants in lake water. But it’s something worth thinking about.

Oh, and that’s not all.

It gets worse.

Milwaukee water-which will soon become Waukesha water-is sourced from a particular part of Lake Michigan, a spot not far downstream from where Milwaukee routinely discharges its raw sewage.

Yes, you read that right.

You see, although original Waukesha water was hard, at least it was mostly bacteria-free. Of course, Waukesha still made sure it was chemically treated to the EPA’s standards, but even if that weren’t the case, Mother Earth was doing most of the filtration. Well water for city distribution is only treated for bacteria it may develop while on the way to the end user (that’s you) through the city’s infrastructure.

And now, Waukesha’s looking down the barrel of a different gun. Where sewer water inevitably mingles with the fresh water supply, it’s no surprise that extra safety measures must be taken to make sure that water is clean.

So yes, you’ll probably need a water softener-but don’t stop there. If you want to maximize your confidence in terms of health and safety, you should seriously look into pairing it with a whole-home chemical reduction filter.

Fact #3: Your skin is not a rubber glove!

Most of these disinfection chemicals (and even some of the feared “forever chemicals” + PFAS) are absorbed transdermally, i.e. through the skin. You can buy as much bottled water as you want and drink that exclusively, but can you bathe in it? Nope. That’s why it’s not a realistic solution to the dangers presented in lake water. Once more, having both a water softener + a chemical filtration system = the best method to cover all your bases.

Give it to me straight! Do I need a water softener in Waukesha?

Probably. A “yes” or “no” might be more digestible, but in truth, the final decision is yours.

Having said that, do we recommend owning a water softener in Waukesha? Yes, unequivocally!

By the way, if you do keep your old water softener, get it programmed to match the hardness level of the new water supply (and corresponding salt usage requirements). There’s no sense in having a water softener set to address 20+ grains of hardness when you really only need it for 10.

Again, though, don’t underestimate that 10! It’s the professional opinion of Team Austin’s Master Tradesman that 10 grains of hardness warrants a water softener, hands-down. We’ve seen the effects of not having one, and they aren’t pretty. If you didn’t have one before, but you’d like to have one in the future, then go ahead and start shopping-just don’t fall for any rental schemes!

Waukesha’s Best Bet for Safe Water

Because Waukesha’s incoming water will be both hard and chemically treated, the best plan of attack will be two-fold:

1. Get a water softener.
2. Invest in a chemical removal system.

(Fortunately, municipal water is already filtered for iron, or it’d be a three-part strategy!)

The presence of things like chlorine in water is no joke. It makes a difference, and that difference will be noticeable. No one should gaslight you out of having a healthy sense of caution about this. Caring about your water supply just makes you a prudent homeowner-someone who prefers to be aware of their options and make a conscious decision rather than accepting whatever comes through your pipes without question.

Austin Plumbing, Heating & Air has spent the last 80 years working closely with Madison’s Capital Water, Wisconsin’s premier water softener manufacturer. Not sure if it’s time to ditch your old softener? Contemplating buying one for the first time? Our master tradesmen are always here to help you make an informed decision with all the information available to us! Direct your questions our way by calling 262-367-3808.

Team Austin’s Master Tradesman busts rental companies’ manufactured myths.

Water softener rental is a thing of the past-or at least, it should be. What makes rental such an appealing option, anyway? Why shouldn’t you rent your water softener? Get answers to these questions and more by reading our Q&A session below.

Q: How did water softener rental even become a thing?

Great question! So glad you asked. Water softeners are the only plumbing appliance people rent as opposed to buying. There’s got to be a reason why, so let’s think critically about it.

The popularity of soft water really started gaining traction in the mid-’80s, before consumer financing for home services became the norm. You may remember that interest rates were burgeoning well past 10% at the time, sometimes even surpassing 15% or 20%. Also, water softeners were not a retro-fit item. Wisconsin homeowners, especially those who’d just had a house newly built, had a heck of a time justifying the additional purchase.

The thing is, manufacturing and installation weren’t cheap, either. When you look at other home appliances back then, water softener installs were comparatively expensive-for the company performing them. They had a surplus of this new technology, but no good way to market it.

So the manufacturers hatched a plan to make their product look so non-committal that everyone would go for it, because why not? They offered the appliance for pennies a day and got customers hooked in the meantime. By renting out their water softeners, these companies were able to cover equipment costs in the short-term and actually profit in the long-term. Thus began soft water’s slow transformation from a rare luxury to a commonplace necessity in the eyes of the public.

Q: Why does renting soft water seem like a good idea today?

Reason #1: Little-to-no cost upfront.

“Upfront” is the key word here. Most rental companies on the market in Southeastern Wisconsin charge only for installation, which is typically between $600 and $900 (hey, it beats the purchase price). Some even rent their water softeners out for no money down, if you can believe it. If you’re thinking that sounds too good to be true, you’re right: there’s a catch. We’ll get to that soon.

Reason #2: No maintenance expenses.

Rather than coming out of the renter’s pocket, maintenance is on the owner of the equipment (that is, the water softener installation company). Well, that’s technically true. They’re certainly hoping to get it out of your pockets over time…and then some.

The deal looks pretty good from the surface. From West Bend to Waukesha, to Oconomowoc and everywhere in between, soft water rentals seem to cap out at $40 per month, and many are as low as $20/mo. But for discussion’s sake, let’s assume the median price of $30. If such is your case, then you’re only paying a dollar a day for a totally hassle-free, soft-water experience!

…Technically.

Q: What do the soft water companies gain from renting their product out so cheap?

For the water softener company, it’s simple math. Once you sign their rental agreement, they can rest pretty well assured that they’ll end up having their cake and eating it, too.

Sure, you only need one water softener. But in 15 years’ time (roughly the lifespan of a rented water softener), you will have paid in full for at least two of them. If, by any chance, you’re planning to stay in your current home for the next 30-ish years, then make that three or four water softeners.

After the install fee-which, as previously stated, they typically charge upfront-the water softener company recoups all equipment, materials, and labor in just the first few years of rental income. And after recouping their initial investment (with interest, by the way), you become an annuity. It’s free money every month for them, for the next 10+ years.

By the way, remember what we said about “no maintenance expenses”? Water softeners almost never actually require repairs. On the occasion that they do, it’s a very minor outlay for the company to pay. Any money you happen to save here will represent but a tiny fraction of your total interest payments.

The Insidiousness of Rent-to-own Water Softener Installations

Over time, the word “rent” has gained its fair share of negative connotations. From an equity standpoint, people today are more or less aware that they’re getting nothing in return for their rentals. That awareness is a good thing for consumers to have.

In keeping up with the metagame, water softening companies have started to spin their offer as a “rent-to-own” proposition. Why don’t you just take it home and see how you like it? Of course, most people quickly realize that they prefer life with soft water to life without it. That’s the classic puppy-dog close-meaning the sale was as good as closed before you had even made up your mind; you just didn’t know it yet.

Here’s how “renting to own” actually works. The water softening company will collect your payments over about three years, this time without interest, before presenting you the option of buying out of the agreement. If you buy out now, the company makes an instant profit. If you don’t, they still win by continuing to collect payments in excess of the principal. It’s ideal for them if these payments go on indefinitely.

In cases where they can combine their installation fee with a high-interest, in-house financing program, the soft water company has truly achieved minimum risk with a high probability of maximum return.

Smart Money Doesn’t Rent Water Softeners-It Buys!

Little money down plus a dollar a day doesn’t seem all that bad if what you get for it is a lifetime of soft water. Still, the math doesn’t lie. Think of it this way. Even at a very high interest rate of eight percent, you can realistically finance a water softener to own it after five years of $30 monthly payments. The average water softener in our market lasts about 15 years. Knowing that, you’ll realize that after financing, the following 10 years of soft water are yours for free.

It makes sense that one would wish to avoid that level of interest in this day and age-but the alternative usually looks something like 15 years of rental. That ends up being far more expensive. We recommend either paying cash or, if that’s not possible, financing a zero-percent or fixed-rate water softener, which we provide to our customers all the time.

Fact: We sell our water softeners for less money than any rental.

Austin Plumbing, Heating & Air is made up of master tradesmen who’ve worked with industry leaders in plumbing and HVAC financing for more than eight decades. Financing options for water softeners as well as iron curtain filters are available as soon as you need them. It’s easy to apply, and it’s a better investment than renting. For rent free soft water- Call Austin Plumbing, Heating & Air today at 262-367-3808. Or book an appointment online.

Our Master Tradesman answers hard questions about soft water and the importance of salt.

To figure out when to add salt to your water softener’s brine tank, you’ll have to take a few other things into consideration. Don’t worry; it’s less complicated than it sounds!

Three basic factors determine how often you should salt your water softener:

• The size of your home (including how many people live in it, as this will affect water use).
  

• The quality or hardness of the water in your area, measured in grains. (Fun fact: Wisconsin water hardness is usually 25-35 grains.)
  

• The age of your water softener. Specifically, do you have an old, low-efficiency model or a newer, metered one? (For many other home appliances, you may have to choose between “cost-effective” and “environmentally friendly”, but metered water softeners are both.)

Don’t let your water softener run out of salt!

Your water softener probably hangs out in your basement, but it shouldn’t be “out of sight, out of mind”. It’s easy to see how people can forget to check on it. But ignoring your water softener until you notice a distinct drop in home water quality isn’t the optimal strategy here. At that point, you may find it’s already too late to reverse course without paying for professional repairs.

To be clear, we’re not saying there’s nothing you can do to save a neglected water softener. It’s just better to stay ahead of the game. The fact is that you can avoid many water softener issues by simply doing regular checks and maintenance.

Bottom line: don’t wait until your water starts to taste weird or stops lathering. By that time, you may venture into the basement just to find that the water softener is totally empty of brine.

What the heck is brine?

If you’re neither a sailor nor a plumber, you may not be familiar with this word. No problem. “Brine” simply refers to a super salty solution. In other words, it’s water that is very highly saturated with salt. Water softeners introduce brine into hard water in order to soften it, resulting in a minimally salty, maximally soft, drinkable, bathable water quality for use in everyday life.

What exactly happens if you let your water softener run out of salt?

A number of troubles customers face can be attributed to letting their water softener run out of salt! For example:

• Appliance-specific issues. First of all, running out of salt-which is instrumental in softening water-is not only bad for your water quality; it’s also stressful to the water softener itself. Water softeners regenerate, which is to say they clean themselves out every now and then. Putting off that process until the proverbial “last minute” can really make it hard for the appliance to do its job.
  
  That’s because of a process called “channeling”. If left without salt for long enough, the water softener media will accumulate a thick layer of buildup of hardness-causing minerals. At this point, refilling the brine tank and a normal regeneration won’t be enough to return the softener media to normal working order.
• Plumbing problems. Hard water creates all kinds of plumbing issues, which can even affect your water heater. But that’s not all! It’ll also cause your dishwasher to malfunction or, at the very least, you may notice dishes just don’t seem to come out as clean as they used to. Other home water aesthetics are also affected, like whether your hand soap actually lathers so you can properly clean your hands after a restroom break.
• Bad for skin and how it feels. The high mineral content in hard water tends to strip the skin of its natural oils, which particularly impacts the delicate skin of the face and hands. Since hands get washed many more times a day than other body parts, it can quickly cause painful dryness and skin cracking. To make matters worse, hard water is really bad at washing away soap. You can actually end up with super dry hands that feel inexplicably…slimy. No, thank you!

How to Estimate Water Softener Salt Use (with math ????)

Go here to learn where these estimates come from.

If you’re not big on charts and numbers, simply continue reading below for a nutshell summary of what this data means for you.

Keep up with Salt Usage: Get to Know the Rhythm of Your Home

According to our 80+ years of industry experience, corroborated above by the EPA’s official statistics, most water softeners use between 80 and 120 pounds of salt per month. You can think of this in terms of buying two or three 40-pound bags of salt per month.

Most homeowners in Wisconsin use two or three 40-pound bags of salt per month. I recommend our clients check the salt level at least once a month and add two 40-pounds bags of salt at that time.

Some Tips for Keeping Track

• Set a reminder on your phone to check the salt level on at least a monthly basis.
• Alternatively, if you make grocery trips on a more regular basis-say, every two weeks or so-why not keep it on your shopping list?
• You also have the convenient option of subscribing to a salt delivery service.

When adding salt, how high should the salt level be?

• As a general rule, the salt level should always be 4-6″ above the salt grid. (The salt grid holds the salt up off the bottom of the tank by a few inches so that the softener can always draw the brine solution back into the tank.)
• You should also make sure not to overfill your tank. Leave a few inches from the top of the brine fill tube, which is located inside the brine tank.
• One final rule of thumb: Keep the brine tank ¾ of the way full with good quality salt. If you do this, you’re golden.

What Kind of Softener Salt to Use

There’s a whole bunch of different salt options out there-some with additives, some claiming to remove iron.

• We caution clients to avoid softener pellets and blocks, which can lead to bridging (clumping together) and other maintenance issues.
• Our recommendation is to use a high-quality salt crystal, typically called solar salt. Salt crystals are the purest form of water softening salt. As such, they tend to do a better job and don’t cause issues like bridging.

Flash FAQ: Quick Answers about Water Softener Salt

How long does a 40lb bag of salt last?

Conservative estimate: three weeks for the average homeowner in SE Wisconsin.

What happens if my softener runs out of salt?

The first consequence is obvious: water you use would no longer be softened. Besides that, when a water softener runs without any brine to draw from, it ends up fouling the softener media (also called resin). If prolonged, this can ultimately make your water softener worse for wear, even after you finally refill it.

How much salt does a water softener hold?

The brine tank in a typical water softener holds about 250 lbs of salt. Store-bought/off-brand water softeners often have smaller salt tanks and therefore hold a little less salt.

Does a water softener use more salt if you are on a well?

Short answer: Nope!

In Southeastern Wisconsin, most of our city water is taken from large wells anyway, so its hardness is similar to that of privately-owned wells. Therefore, there’s no extra need for salt replenishment. (It also doesn’t have to regenerate any more frequently.)

However, misapplication can cause water softeners to consume more salt than necessary. For example, some installers cut corners by increasing a water softener’s salt use in order to expedite iron removal. The water softener wasn’t designed to do this in the first place. As a consequence, not only is it ineffective, but also bad for the appliance.

Asking a water softener to do double duty like this just shortens its life. A properly installed and maintained water softener should last 12-15 years (assuming the water is not ravaged by chlorine, and well water luckily isn’t). That’s why the proper course of action is to make sure your water softener is paired with a real iron filter on installation.

Why isn’t my water softener using the salt I put in it?

There could be a number of reasons for this phenomenon, but it’s most often the result of neglecting basic maintenance items. Salt tank bridging and plugged ports in the softener head are common examples of causes when a water softener refuses to utilize its salt.

In a scenario like this, other mechanical breakdowns are always a possibility. If your water softener is running but the brine level never seems to lower, your best bet is to give us a call at 262-367-3808. We’re happy to come by and troubleshoot, as well as make any necessary repairs to your water softener so you can get back to enjoying life with soft water.

The change has been incremental, so subtle you’re certain you’re only imagining things. “Something is off with my water,” might cross your mind. “I just made this lemonade. Does this taste right to you?” you ask your spouse. Weeks pass, but you can’t shake the feeling. You wonder if you’re overreacting. “Do I even deserve great tasting water?” Of course you do. And here are four hints around your home to confirm your water softener needs a tune-up.

Location #1: Your Kitchen

Your funny tasting lemonade is in fact the symptom you think it is, as it simply doesn’t refresh you like it used to. What was once a tart treat now takes on a muted, dusty flavor. If you take a sip and find yourself inspecting the glass with suspicion, trust your gut and call Austin.

Another kitchen clue involves the rich, sumptuous lather your dish soap is not making lately. You might be compensating by adding more detergent, blaming the factory for such lackluster suds. “They don’t make it like they used to,” you say. More likely however you are attempting to mix perfectly effective soap with newly hard water. Demand better than barely-there bubbles, and call Austin.

Location #2: Your Bathtub

Suddenly you can’t create your weekly bubble bath beard, and it also takes noticeably longer to fill up the tub. Lower pressure at the tap can be caused by hard water, delaying your overdue soak as you shiver nearby in your bath towel. Warm up by calling Austin. 

As you’re reclining in your hot bath at long last, you’ll have some time to examine the surfaces around you. Is the tile, chrome, and glass missing the gleam you’re used to? If water spots plague you, no matter the elbow grease invested in buffing them out, call Austin.

Location #3: In and Around Your Utilities 

If the despair of dull surfaces isn’t enough to convince you, are you able to explain that new rust colored stain circling your sink drains? Crane your neck under that faucet spout and take a gander at the inexplicable crusty ring. This isn’t cake frosting, much as we wish it was. This is a reason to call Austin.

Your laundry equipment is likely taking a beating, too, as hard water corrodes hoses, belts, and gaskets, springing leaks and mysterious malfunctions. The appliance repair folks can only fix your machine so many times before you have to seek a more insidious culprit, a failing water softener. In that event, call Austin.

Location #4: Your body

Perhaps your washing machine is operating normally, but the clothing you pull from it is taking on somewhat of a crunchy texture. You throw on your beloved college football hoodie and find it too itchy to wear, no longer your cozy pride and joy. The rash is so bad you’re boycotting the team. Preserve your most precious pieces by calling Austin. 

Adding insult to injury, what was once red plush terry has quickly faded to a heathered magenta, stripped of its pigment due to harsh, destructive water. Hard water is robbing you of your fashion identity. Either switch to an all-gray wardrobe, or call Austin Plumbing, Heating, & Air to assist with your water softener servicing today.

The change has been incremental, so subtle you’re certain you’re only imagining things. “Something is off with my water,” might cross your mind. “I just made this lemonade. Does this taste right to you?” you ask your spouse. Weeks pass, but you can’t shake the feeling. You wonder if you’re overreacting. “Do I even deserve great tasting water?” Of course you do. And here are four hints around your home to confirm your water softener needs a tune-up.

Location #1: Your Kitchen

Your funny tasting lemonade is in fact the symptom you think it is, as it simply doesn’t refresh you like it used to. What was once a tart treat now takes on a muted, dusty flavor. If you take a sip and find yourself inspecting the glass with suspicion, trust your gut and call Austin.

Another kitchen clue involves the rich, sumptuous lather your dish soap is not making lately. You might be compensating by adding more detergent, blaming the factory for such lackluster suds. “They don’t make it like they used to,” you say. More likely however you are attempting to mix perfectly effective soap with newly hard water. Demand better than barely-there bubbles, and call Austin.

Location #2: Your Bathtub

Suddenly you can’t create your weekly bubble bath beard, and it also takes noticeably longer to fill up the tub. Lower pressure at the tap can be caused by hard water, delaying your overdue soak as you shiver nearby in your bath towel. Warm up by calling Austin. 

As you’re reclining in your hot bath at long last, you’ll have some time to examine the surfaces around you. Is the tile, chrome, and glass missing the gleam you’re used to? If water spots plague you, no matter the elbow grease invested in buffing them out, call Austin.

Location #3: In and Around Your Utilities 

If the despair of dull surfaces isn’t enough to convince you, are you able to explain that new rust colored stain circling your sink drains? Crane your neck under that faucet spout and take a gander at the inexplicable crusty ring. This isn’t cake frosting, much as we wish it was. This is a reason to call Austin.

Your laundry equipment is likely taking a beating, too, as hard water corrodes hoses, belts, and gaskets, springing leaks and mysterious malfunctions. The appliance repair folks can only fix your machine so many times before you have to seek a more insidious culprit, a failing water softener. In that event, call Austin.

Location #4: Your body

Perhaps your washing machine is operating normally, but the clothing you pull from it is taking on somewhat of a crunchy texture. You throw on your beloved college football hoodie and find it too itchy to wear, no longer your cozy pride and joy. The rash is so bad you’re boycotting the team. Preserve your most precious pieces by calling Austin. 

Adding insult to injury, what was once red plush terry has quickly faded to a heathered magenta, stripped of its pigment due to harsh, destructive water. Hard water is robbing you of your fashion identity. Either switch to an all-gray wardrobe, or call Austin Plumbing, Heating, & Air to assist with your water softener servicing today.