Bypass Softener Certain Months?

[Waxman]

It has come up in another thread and I am wondering (Where applicable; i.e.; cold weather washes), in this era of sought -after savings, do you bypass your water softener during certain months where there is ample roadsalt on cars being washed?

Yes/No? Why/whynot? Procedures for doing so? Thanks!

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I can't imagine running on hard water if you don't have to. I can usually tell quickly if my softener is not working because the soap turns to $h!+. What would ample road salt have to do with making this decision?

 

[Waxman]

Salty cars are easy to clean for us. Maybe because of the softener; don't know.

Just curious. I wouldn't know how the cars come out w/out the softener because I've never bypassed mine.

 

[bigleo48]

Waxman,

I think much of it depends on how hard your water is. Since my city draws water from the great lakes, it averages about 6 grains of hardness...so not very hard at all. This allows me to bypass in the winter (read slushy snowy & salty) when rinsing cars almost gets them clean. This amount of hardness also does not affect my RO maker.

I use to soften my rinse water (it was plumbed that way by my carwash installer)...I have eliminated this waste a while back.

Hope that helps...Big

 

[gearhead]

non softened rinse

To Big Leo,
Sorry to intrude, But I was looking for some opinions on this subject myself. My wash was also plumbed that way from the start and have talked to other people who made the same switch as you. My incoming water is at 9 grains hard. At what hardness level should you not consider running hard(non softened) water through your pump stations and so on? I have been told 10 or less is OK by one source. Thanks.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

Why use a softener:
- reduces amount of soap needed
- cleans better
- makes RO unit more efficient (may be required for your RO unit)
- easier on your plumbing

How much are you spending to run your softener today? (electricity? reject water? salt?)

How hard is your water?

Have you tuned your softener for maximum efficiency?

 

[bigleo48]

To Big Leo,
Sorry to intrude, But I was looking for some opinions on this subject myself. My wash was also plumbed that way from the start and have talked to other people who made the same switch as you. My incoming water is at 9 grains hard. At what hardness level should you not consider running hard(non softened) water through your pump stations and so on? I have been told 10 or less is OK by one source. Thanks.

Sorry Gear,

Not a specialist. I just know that in my environment and with the soaps I use and the difficulty in cleaning, I'm good.

You'll need to determine that for yourself. You may want to start with your chem rep.

 

[gearhead]

non softened rinse

Sorry Gear,

Not a specialist. I just know that in my environment and with the soaps I use and the difficulty in cleaning, I'm good.

You'll need to determine that for yourself. You may want to start with your chem rep.

OK. I will ask around. It was actually a chem rep who informed me of that spec. Just fishin for a few more opinions.

I can imagine you see a nice little savings from that mod. Im hoping I can pull it off. Thanks for the input.