How Do I Determine What Size Water Softener I Need
Now, we need to know how mean your water is. Hard water is full of calcium and magnesium. You can buy a simple test strip at the hardware store for a few bucks, or call your local water company.
They’ll give you a number in “grains per gallon” (GPG). If the number is 10, your water is really hard. If it’s 5, it’s moderate. I once tested a friend’s well water that hit 40 GPG—practically liquid rock!
Don’t let a high number scare you. It just means you need a bigger sponge, that’s all. For most homes, the range is between 5 and 15 GPG, so you’re probably in safe territory.