Water Purification Resources
We don’t sell anything to anyone — we educate, and work with our customers to provide solutions. Straight answers to the water questions we hear every day.
Questions & answers
Water questions, answered straight.
If you have water woes, you are likely aware of the dizzying selection of water treatment systems promising better water. Here are honest answers to start with — or call us for more.
Can I install a water softener myself?
If you are replacing an existing softener, or your home is roughed-in (plumbing already set up) for one, and you are comfortable with basic plumbing, you can. Each situation differs in difficulty. For new plumbing runs we recommend professional installation — our technicians complete most installs in about two hours, scheduled within 5 business days.
Why should I choose 360WATER Systems Inc.?
We educate first and sell second: every recommendation starts with a water analysis, and our systems are sized and customized to your water — not pulled off a shelf. You get competitive pricing, professional installation within 5 business days, and local service and parts support after the sale.
How do I know what water softener system I need?
It depends on your water’s hardness and iron content, the size of your home or business, and how many people use the water. Send us a small sample for free professional water testing, and we will recommend the right system for you.
If I order a water softener, how long will it take to be installed?
We schedule installations within 5 business days. Most systems are in stock at our Orangeville showroom, so you can also pick up equipment directly. We are a local service company — not a ship-and-forget online seller — so our focus is professional installation and after-sale support.
Will your water treatment system solve my iron problems?
In most cases, yes — but every well is different, which is why we start with a water analysis. Our softeners remove up to 5 ppm of ferrous (clear-water) iron, which covers the majority of wells. If your water has higher iron or other complicating factors, we will recommend a dedicated iron filtration system, which can also be added later if needed.
What exactly is hard water?
Hard water contains more than 1 grain per gallon of dissolved minerals, chiefly calcium and magnesium picked up as water filters through the ground. It leaves scale in water heaters, pipes and fixtures, and reacts with soap to form a residue that dulls laundry and dries skin.
Do magnetic water softeners work?
Magnetic conditioners do not remove anything from the water, and extensive industry research has not found them as effective as ion-exchange softeners. If a product could soften water as effectively without salt, we would carry it.
Do salt-free or no-salt softeners work?
They can reduce scaling under the right conditions, but they do not produce soft water: the calcium and magnesium ions remain in the water. They are more accurately described as anti-scale or water conditioning systems.
What causes the slimy feeling of soft water?
It is actually a sign the soap is rinsing clean. Hard water leaves a film that closes your pores; soft water lets soap lather fully and rinse away, leaving your skin’s natural oils at the surface. Most people adjust within a week or two.
Can a water softener really save me money?
Yes. Soft water needs far less soap and detergent, prevents scale damage in water heaters, pipes and appliances, and extends the life of clothing and fixtures. Beyond adding salt, most softeners run for ten years or more without major maintenance.
How much sodium does a water softener add?
A small amount, proportional to your water’s hardness — roughly 8 milligrams per quart for each grain per gallon of hardness removed. For most households this is a minor fraction of daily sodium intake, and a reverse osmosis drinking water system removes it entirely.
What exactly is a reverse osmosis system?
Reverse osmosis pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks dissolved solids too large to pass through. Combined with pre- and post-filters, an RO system reduces sediment, dissolved solids, chlorine, taste and odour for high-quality drinking water.
How do I know if I need an R.O. system?
If you want better-tasting water for drinking, cooking, coffee and tea, an RO system is worth considering. Start with free professional water testing to see exactly what is in your water.
Can I install an R.O. system myself?
Most of our RO systems are designed for straightforward installation with colour-coded lines and step-by-step instructions; the trickiest step is usually drilling the faucet hole. A licensed plumber typically completes the job in 1.5 to 2 hours — or we can install it for you within 5 business days.
I don’t have a water softener. Can I still have an R.O. system?
It depends on your water. Hardness above about 10 grains per gallon clogs RO filters prematurely, and iron does the same. We recommend a free water analysis first; in many cases pre-treating with a softener is the right call.
How quickly can you install my system?
We schedule installations within 5 business days. Most residential installations take about two hours.
Do you offer free water testing and quotes?
Yes — all three are free. Bring a water sample to our Orangeville showroom for free in-store testing, book free in-home water testing, or get a free quote on the right system for your water. Call 519-941-9120.
Articles
Learn About Your Water
Plain-language guides from our Orangeville showroom — no jargon, no sales pitch. Start here before you buy anything.
How to Choose the Right Size Water Softener
Hardness, household water use and iron: the two numbers that decide your size, plus a simple worked example.
Read the guide →Salt-Based vs Salt-Free: What's the Real Difference?
One removes hardness. The other just stops it from sticking. Know which is which before you buy.
Read the guide →Softener Salt Explained: Solar vs Pellet vs Rock Salt
How each salt is made, what it leaves behind in your brine tank, and what you’ll pay around Orangeville.
Read the guide →Why Does Reverse Osmosis Water Taste Better?
What RO removes, how it compares to bottled water, and how to keep it tasting great.
Read the guide →Water Testing Guide: What to Check Before You Buy Anything
What we test for free, what needs a lab, and why testing always comes before equipment.
Read the guide →Meet Danny Lachhman
The owner behind 360WATER — how he sizes systems, why he uses standard parts you can service anywhere, and why the guides carry his name.
About Danny →Why 360WATER Systems Inc
Why choose 360WATER Systems Inc
"Enhancing the Quality of Your Water, Enhances the Quality of Your Life!"
Water treatment systems are not created equal — and neither are the companies that sell them.
Your water problems are unique — your system should be too.
Why choose 360WATER Systems Inc — "Your Water Softener and Purification Specialists"?
First and foremost, 360WATER Systems Inc is an independent, family-owned business. We are not a franchise. We are not a corporate chain store. And we are not contractually obligated to any single manufacturer. We are completely independent — which means we recommend the right system for your water, not the system a head office tells us to sell. We are owner-operated, we have served our community for over 30 years, and we work with several local licensed plumbers. It is critical that the right water treatment system and equipment — including accessories — are matched to your specific needs. We don't believe in "one product fits all" solutions: once your needs have been properly assessed, any of our products can be customized and sized to give you the right solution the first time.
The internet is fine for research — but buyer beware.
When you invest in a water treatment system, the first critical step is understanding water; the second is understanding what you need, specifically, and why. Experience and knowledge are what get you the right system. Working with an independent, family-owned water specialist you can talk to — someone who will answer your questions and give you honest advice — is the surest way to get the system that's right for you and your family.
Our specialists are happy to introduce you to our products from the comfort of your home — and we will gladly offer advice. But we won't sell you anything online. We will make an appointment to listen, ask questions, test your water and analyze volume, pressure and flow before recommending the right product for your unique situation. As an independent, family-owned and owner-operated company, we work with several local licensed plumbers to make sure every installation is done right.
Big box stores:
In our experience, big box stores are all about the sale. There are no water specialists on staff — you are buying from a salesperson who may know little or nothing about water treatment. They may be professional and courteous, but that has nothing to do with whether the system they sold you will fix your problem.
That system may seem like a great deal, but buyer beware: retail giants change suppliers regularly, which can affect service and parts availability down the road.
Multi-level marketing:
The top three strikes:
• Their knowledge rarely goes beyond their sales literature and industry hype.
• They are often more motivated to recruit you into their downline than to solve your water issues.
• Prices tend to be inflated to cover the multiple levels involved.
Still wondering?
National chains and franchises train their salespeople to memorize a script designed to sell everyone the same system — often a $3,500–$4,500 RO unit. You end up paying for commissions, advertising and overhead — and you may not even need what they are selling. Consult your independent, family-owned local water softener and purification specialist instead: you will get a better system, customized for your specific needs, typically at a fraction of the cost. No water problem is solved by a cookie-cutter solution.
The number one cause of water treatment equipment failure: misapplication and improper sizing.
Save your money — and your peace of mind. What works for an RV, boat or kitchen sink is not the same as a whole-house system, or vice versa. Choose the right system for the right purpose the first time. An independent water treatment specialist will give you a better product, reliable service and a proper fit for peak efficiency — delivering years of worry-free, quality water.
Reputation:
360WATER Systems Inc has a solid reputation for experience and quality results. Independent, family-owned and operated for over 30 years, we have a retail storefront where you can see products and accessories hands-on and speak with a real person who has a vested interest in keeping you happy. We support the North American economy by buying from North American manufacturers, and we stand behind our parts and service availability.
Service and warranties:
Our systems carry the manufacturer's warranty as well as our own. We guarantee our installation and service calls for the first year — at no cost to you. Try finding that online.
Save money, longevity, peace of mind:
Choose the independent, family-owned 360WATER Systems Inc for peace of mind, satisfaction and reliably installed equipment — the first time — for quality water all the time.