Off topic...20 year old water softener system in garage

[Gary H.]

Just closed on a house this week. The house has a well, so there is a water softener system and whole house filtration system in the garage.

The house was built in 1994 and the system is original.

I was thinking that although the system works fine, it might not be a bad idea to modernize it so the vettes are not stored in this environment.

Anyone have experience dealing with this? Am I wasting money if everything functions properly? Are the new systems any better than the older ones like what is currently installed?

[Mike T.]

Re: Off topic...20 year old water softener system in garage

Not sure I understand your comment...'so the Vettes are not stored in this environment'. I assume you are talking about a salt-based softener system? If so, the softener has salt pellets that are used to regen the ion beads when necessary. We're in the process of building a house outside Prescott AZ and the rental house we're in now has a salt based softener and there is no harm from having the Corvettes stored in the same garage.

[Gary H.]

Re: Off topic...20 year old water softener system in garage

Yes, was referring to the salt box.

[Ralph E.]

Re: Off topic...20 year old water softener system in garage

Not sure I understand your comment...'so the Vettes are not stored in this environment'. I assume you are talking about a salt-based softener system? If so, the softener has salt pellets that are used to regen the ion beads when necessary. We're in the process of building a house outside Prescott AZ and the rental house we're in now has a salt based softener and there is no harm from having the Corvettes stored in the same garage.

Totally disagree. The salt brine tank is probably next to the softener. Salt gases from the brine tank will corrode anything nearby. Had my tool box near a brine tank for years and one day I notice how rusty in was on the side near the brine tank.

[Mike T.]

Re: Off topic...20 year old water softener system in garage

The house we're renting was built in 2000 and the steel/iron water heater is right alongside the water softener and in 14 years shows no sign of rust. Something you might be overlooking is the humidity in your area. Here in Arizona, even at the 5500 foot altitude, the humidity had been in the 'teens' since we got here in January and now that we've started into the monsoon season, the humidity just breaks into the 40% range.

[Joe L.]

Re: Off topic...20 year old water softener system in garage

Totally disagree. The salt brine tank is probably next to the softener. Salt gases from the brine tank will corrode anything nearby. Had my tool box near a brine tank for years and one day I notice how rusty in was on the side near the brine tank.

Ralph------


Salt (i.e. sodium chloride) does not release a gas. However, brine mist might be get out if the salt container is not sealed well. Also, salt can be spilled when the salt container is re-filled and that could affect nearby metals, especially in a humid environment.

[Joe L.]

Re: Off topic...20 year old water softener system in garage

Just closed on a house this week. The house has a well, so there is a water softener system and whole house filtration system in the garage.

The house was built in 1994 and the system is original.

I was thinking that although the system works fine, it might not be a bad idea to modernize it so the vettes are not stored in this environment.

Anyone have experience dealing with this? Am I wasting money if everything functions properly? Are the new systems any better than the older ones like what is currently installed?

Gary-------


As far as I know, the basics of water softening systems have not changed. The only practical systems I know of are ion exchange systems which use salt as the source for the sodium ions which are exchanged for the calcium and magnesium ions, which are the primary cause of hardness, in the water.

Whether you need a softening system is the real question. If your area has significant hardness in the water, you probably need a softening system.

[Michael G.]

Re: Off topic...20 year old water softener system in garage

A water softener should not cause problems, but just make sure the system is not an "ozone" water purification system. 20 years ago many of these were installed to purify particularly nasty water. Such a system may emit ozone gas and is very corrosive.

[Ralph E.]

Re: Off topic...20 year old water softener system in garage

Ralph------


Salt (i.e. sodium chloride) does not release a gas. However, brine mist might be get out if the salt container is not sealed well. Also, salt can be spilled when the salt container is re-filled and that could affect nearby metals, especially in a humid environment.

I may have referred to it as a "salt gas" but the chlorides do release some gas. That said, in my case, the tool box rust is probably caused by spilling when refilling the brine tank with salt.
Since in AZ the air is less humid, if Michael wants to park his corvette next the water softener systems he should have no issues. But I wouldn't do it.