/>Hi, I'm Zachary E.. I live in Michigan. Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips asked me to share my homeowner experience with local tap water from the city and the SoftPro® Elite HE Water Softener for City Water (Industry's Best Softener & Filter Combo) I purchased. This is how my adventures played out. I hope this helps you in your decision.
Did you know that even "soft" city water can wreak havoc on your home's plumbing and appliances?
I certainly didn't until I started noticing white spots on my glassware, a weird metallic taste in my morning coffee, and my skin feeling unusually dry after showers. Like many homeowners, I assumed city water was automatically problem-free. Six months ago, I decided enough was enough and invested in the SoftPro Elite Basic High-Flow High-Efficiency Water Softener. What started as a simple fix for annoying water spots turned into a complete transformation of my home's water quality.
After extensive research and comparing multiple systems, I can honestly say this decision ranks among the best home improvements I've made. The installation was straightforward, the performance has been consistent, and the impact on daily life has been more significant than I anticipated. But like any major purchase, there were surprises, learning curves, and a few minor frustrations along the way.
The Hard Water Problem I Didn't Know I Had
Living in Michigan, I thought our municipal water system had everything handled. After all, it passed all safety tests and didn't have any obvious odor or discoloration. However, the subtle signs of moderately hard water were everywhere once I started paying attention.
The most obvious issue was the mineral buildup on my glassware and shower doors. No matter how much I scrubbed or what cleaning products I used, those stubborn white spots kept reappearing within days. My coffee maker required descaling every six weeks, and I noticed my dishwasher wasn't performing as well as when it was new just two years ago.
What really opened my eyes was when my plumber mentioned during a routine service call that our water heater showed signs of mineral accumulation.
At only four years old, it already had noticeable scale buildup that could reduce efficiency and lifespan. That's when I realized this wasn't just about aesthetics—hard water was costing me money through reduced appliance efficiency and premature replacement needs.
I tested our water and found it measured 12 grains per gallon (GPG) of hardness. While not extremely hard, this level was enough to cause ongoing problems. The city's water treatment removes contaminants and chlorinates for safety, but doesn't address hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium that occur naturally in our groundwater sources.
Beyond the mechanical issues, I started noticing personal effects too. My skin felt tight after showers, and my wife complained that her hair seemed dull and harder to manage. We were using more soap and shampoo to achieve the same cleaning results, though I hadn't connected these dots until researching water softening solutions.
Why I Chose the SoftPro Elite Basic System
>My research phase lasted about three weeks, during which I explored everything from basic salt-based softeners to complex whole-house filtration systems. I quickly learned that water treatment isn't one-size-fits-all, and the right solution depends on your specific water chemistry, household size, and budget considerations.
Initially, I considered salt-free systems because they seemed lower maintenance. However, after speaking with several local water treatment professionals, I learned that true hard water removal requires ion exchange, which only salt-based systems provide. Salt-free conditioners can help with scale prevention but don't actually remove hardness minerals.
The SoftPro Water Systems Elite Basic caught my attention because it specifically addressed my situation: moderately hard city water with a need for both softening and basic filtration.
Unlike systems designed for well water with iron or sulfur issues, this model focuses on what city water customers actually need.
The high-efficiency design was particularly appealing because it promised to use less salt and water during regeneration cycles compared to older timer-based systems. With environmental consciousness and operating costs in mind, the demand-initiated regeneration feature made sense—the system only regenerates when needed based on actual water usage.
Capacity was another crucial factor. The Elite Basic handles up to 48,000 grains of hardness removal, which calculates to approximately 4,000 gallons of 12 GPG water—perfect for our household of four with typical usage patterns. I appreciated that SoftPro provided clear sizing guidelines rather than pushing oversized units.
The SoftPro Valve technology also impressed me during research. Unlike some manufacturers who use third-party control valves, SoftPro designs their own valve systems specifically for their softener applications. This integration approach suggested better reliability and streamlined service if needed.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The system arrived within the promised timeframe via freight delivery. I was impressed by the packaging quality—everything was well-secured with adequate protective materials. The driver helped position the main unit in my garage, which I appreciated since the complete system weighs considerably more than I expected.
Unpacking revealed a well-engineered system that felt substantial without being overly complex. The resin tank construction appeared robust, with a quality finish that looked professional rather than like a basic utility item. The SoftPro Valve assembly seemed well-built, with clear indicators and a straightforward control interface.
The documentation package was comprehensive, including installation guides, operation manuals, and warranty information. Unlike some products where manuals feel like afterthoughts, these materials were clearly written with real homeowners in mind. The installation guide included helpful diagrams and troubleshooting sections that proved valuable later.
One pleasant surprise was the inclusion of bypass valves and basic installation hardware.
Many systems require purchasing these separately, adding unexpected costs to the project. Having everything needed for a standard installation eliminated multiple trips to the hardware store.
Installation Experience and Setup
> I chose to install the system myself, partly for cost savings and partly because I enjoy hands-on projects. The installation location required some planning—I needed access to the main water line, electrical outlet, and drain connection, plus adequate space for salt loading and occasional maintenance.
The actual plumbing work took most of a Saturday morning. I had to cut into the main water line and install the bypass valve system, which required shutting off water to the entire house. Having a helper made this process much smoother, especially when positioning the heavy resin tank and ensuring proper alignment.
The most challenging aspect was getting the drain line routing correct.
The system needs to discharge regeneration water, and local codes required an air gap to prevent backflow. I ended up running new drain piping to my utility sink, which added a couple hours but ensures proper operation.
Programming the SoftPro Valve was surprisingly intuitive. The display guides you through entering your water hardness level, household size, and regeneration preferences. I set it for 2 AM regeneration cycles to avoid any impact on daily water usage, and configured it for high-efficiency operation to minimize salt consumption.
The initial startup went smoothly—no leaks, proper pressure throughout the house, and immediate soft water production. The system ran its first regeneration cycle that night, and I was pleased that it was much quieter than I'd expected based on online reviews of older softener models.
Total installation time was about six hours, including the extra drain work. A professional installation would have cost $300-400 in my area, so the DIY approach provided meaningful savings while giving me better familiarity with the system.
Performance Analysis After Six Months
> The transformation in water quality was noticeable within 24 hours of installation. The most immediate change was in how water felt—that slippery sensation that indicates truly soft water. Initially, this felt unusual because we'd grown accustomed to the slight mineral content, but within a week, hard water would have felt noticeably rough by comparison.
I conducted before-and-after testing using both test strips and a digital TDS meter. Pre-softener readings showed 12 GPG hardness and 280 PPM total dissolved solids. Post-softener measurements consistently show 0-1 GPG hardness and 250 PPM TDS, confirming effective hardness removal while maintaining beneficial mineral content through the integrated filtration.
The impact on daily routines became apparent gradually but was ultimately quite significant.
Soap and shampoo now lather more easily and seem to clean more effectively with smaller quantities. My wife noticed her hair feeling softer and more manageable within two weeks. The tight, dry skin sensation after showers disappeared completely.
Appliance performance improvements were measurable too. My dishwasher now produces spotless glassware without rinse aid, and I've extended the descaling interval on my coffee maker from six weeks to four months. The water heater's efficiency should improve over time as existing scale deposits gradually dissolve.
Regeneration cycles occur approximately every 8-10 days with our usage patterns, consuming about 40 pounds of salt monthly. This aligns closely with SoftPro's efficiency projections and represents a reasonable operating cost for the benefits received.
The taste improvement was subtle but noticeable, particularly in coffee and tea preparation. The slight metallic undertones disappeared, and beverages seem to have cleaner, more distinct flavors. Ice cubes are crystal clear rather than slightly cloudy.
