Why and How you Should Maintain your Kinetico Water Softener
Other companies give me a quote over the phone. Why can’t you?
All installations and water quality are not the same—that is why we offer a
free onsite water analysis and plumbing survey to assess your particular
needs.
Do you offer warranties for your work?
Kinetico Water Systems are third-party certified to perform as promised and
are backed by the most comprehensive warranties in the industry.
Equipment and parts are warrantied for up to 10 years, and we warranty our
labor for one year. Note that this only covers defective parts and not filters
that have a limited lifetime.
How long will my softener last?
Many Kinetico softeners have been operating for decades! The equipment
should last, at a minimum, the life of the warranty, with proper maintenance.
What’s the difference between using potassium and sodium?
Kinetico Water Systems are designed to work with either potassium chloride
or sodium chloride (commonly referred to as “salt”). Potassium is more
environmentally friendly than sodium and can be used to water vegetation,
so it can be used to water your landscaping if you do not have separate
plumbing for that purpose. Sodium should only be used if you have
separate plumbing for your landscaping and domestic use. Some people
may also have medical conditions where it is not advisable to drink water
softened by sodium—their doctor needs to be consulted regarding this.
Our K5 Drinking Water Station is always an option for those not advised to
drink sodium-softened water.
How often should I add sodium or potassium to my brine tank?
The average household of 4 will consume about 40 lb. per month. Adding
one bag at a time, as needed, to the brine tank is usually advisable,
especially if you plan a period of decreased water usage, such as when you
go away on vacation.
What maintenance is required for my softener?
There should be very little, if any, maintenance required with a Kinetico
Water Softener, other than adding salt to the brine tank. If your unit contains
a carbon filter, it will usually require a filter change every 6 to 8 years and a
resin change about every 10 to 15 years, depending on your water quality
and if you change your carbon filter on time. Should the need arise, though,
you can be assured that De Anza Water Conditioning will provide you with
prompt and professional service or over-the- phone technical support.
How often should my reverse osmosis (RO) filters be changed on my drinking water system?
Water will stop flowing from all Drinking Water systems (except for the K2
system) after the unit has processed 500 gallons of water. For an average
family of 4, the average filter change is required approximately every 6 to 12
months. They can only be replaced with Kinetico brand filters, so please
give us a call when the need arises.
Where can I purchase filters for my Drinking Water system?
Filters can be purchased through De Anza Water Conditioning by emailing
your request or calling us at (408) 684-6873. Please have a model # and
filter colors available when you call.
Where can I purchase sodium or potassium?
Potassium can be purchased at your local hardware store. Sodium (extra
coarse water softener salt) can also be purchased at your local hardware or
grocery store in 40 to 50 lbs. bags. Sorry, but we do not provide delivery of
salt/potassium. Salt Unlimited can be contacted for delivery.
What are the environmentally-friendly benefits of Kinetico products?
Kinetico introduced the first non-electric water system over 40 years ago
and remain on the cutting edge of Eco-friendly technology by continuing to
develop the most efficient systems in the marketplace. Besides the
decreased consumption of electricity, its twin-tank, on-demand design uses
less water and salt than a typical electric, single tank water softening
system. It also has the advantage of utilizing potassium in lieu of sodium,
which is more environmentally friendly.
Does softening the water in my home add salt to my water?
Yes, but very, very little.
For household purposes, the removal of hard water minerals (usually calcium and magnesium) involves an ion-exchange process, wherein hard water ions are exchanged with salt to create soft water. For more detailed information, read our article where we explain the process of adding salt to create soft water.
What is “hard” water or “scale”?
Water is considered hard when it has a relatively high concentration of
primarily calcium and magnesium ions. Hard water received this name
because it requires more soap to get a good lather and makes the water
“hard” to work with. It also resembles a rock-like substance in the hardened
state. In addition to making washing more difficult, hard water can cause
scaling on sinks and fixtures, deposits in hot water heaters and pipes, and
buildup in pumps and water-using appliances, which can shorten appliance
life. Hard water can be treated with a water softener which can remove a
significant amount of the calcium and magnesium from the water. Some
examples of hard water
