We don't sell anything to anyone - we EDUCATE and work with our customer to provide solutions. If you have water woes then you likely are well aware of the dizzying selection of water treatment systems offered in all shapes and sizes promising to deliver better water. Check our list of education resources below, or contact us for more information.

Can I install a water softener myself?

 We believe if you are replacing a water softener or your house is roughed-in (plumbing is already set up for a softener) for one, with a little mechanical inclination you can do it. Each situation is different, and has a different degree of difficulty. In our parts section we have flexible connectors that screw right into the softener and are compression on the other end, making it very easy to connect a softener. You may choose to have us or a local plumber install your system - expect it to take 2 hours and plumber rates vary in different areas, but usually range from $50 to $75 per hour. If you’re house or business plumbing has not already been set up for a water softener some plumbing knowledge, and experience is highly recommended. For those of you lucky enough to have your new home plumbed in Wirsbo Aquapex Tubing; we are Wirsbo Certified.


Why Should I buy from you?

 Because we have a fantastic selection AND any of our products can be customized to provide the ultimate water solution - the first time! You'll enjoy fast service, competitive prices and we’re easy to deal with. We are proud to offer top of the line products. These lines are trusted and have been used by industry professionals for years. 30 YEARS and WE"RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE! Our manufacturer has been in business for over 30 years and WTTR will be there after the sale if you have any questions, and we deliver right to your door! Read more on "WHY BUY FROM WTTR?


How do I know what water softener system I need?

 We ask the questions that can help you determine the size you'll require and give recommendations at no charge! It is helpful to know the hardness and iron content of your water. Size and models depend on hardness, iron content, size of house or business, and number of people using it. You can send us a small sample of your water, and we will test it for hardness and iron for free, or you can purchase one of our convenient home test kits and test it yourself!


If I order a water softener, how long will it take to receive it?

 In most cases our orders are shipped out next day, depending on method of payment. [Sorry no COD’s due to return shipping cost if no one is home to pay / receive it] Depending on when your order is placed we estimate delivery to your door within one to two weeks.


Will your Water Treatment System solve my iron problems?

 Every situation is different so though I can't "absolutely" guarantee it will solve your entire iron problem, in most cases they do. That's why it's so important to do a water analysis and discuss other environmental factors before we recommend any one product. Our softeners will remove up to 5ppm of ferrous [clear water ] iron, most wells do not have this much iron content. With the use of a Turbulator Distributor tube your water softener should handle most clear water iron problems. Our recommendation is to contact us for a proper water assessment. If - for whatever reason - you choose not to conduct a proper water testing or analysis, may I suggest you install a water softener first and see how effective it is before spending money on an iron filtration system. In most cases our clients are thrilled with the results of our water softeners. Most iron filters are sold because of other variables in your water's quality that can adversely affect the capability of your softener and its longevity. You can always add an iron filtration system at a later date if a water softener does not solve your problem completely.


What exactly is hard water?

 Hard water is defined as having more than 1 grain per gallon of dissolved minerals in it. Hard water is usually measured by parts per million (PPM) or grains per gallon (gpg).


I've read ads that claim that Magnetic softeners would solve my hard water problems without adding sodium to my water, what do you think?

 Magnetic conditioners have been around for 30 + years and are not a new item. Our manufacturers have done extensive research and have yet to find that they are as effective as ion exchange water softeners. They don’t remove anything from the water, they just change the structure of the water. If we believed that they actually did work as effectively as claimed, we would offer them in our product line. There are new technologies that utilize a special resin with some companies marketing them with claims that they are a "No Salt Softener". Do they do anything? Yes... they actually do, but there are limitations to how effectively they work, and they still won't give you soft water. The calcium and magnesium ions are still present. It's the calcium carbonate that is referred to as "Hard Water" they are in fact an "Anti Scale System". Please contact us for more detailed information. (Note: I not only own the company I own a Water Softener for a reason. It works exactly the way I need it to for optimum results. Although I dislike having to carry bags of salt down to the basement... I am confident that I have the best, most effective system for softening my water.


My husband says he doesn't like soft water because of the slimy feeling it causes, what causes the slimy feeling?

 Actually the 'slimy' feeling is a good thing! When you have hard water it doesn't lather well and actually smears, closing the pores in your skin. With soft water the soap lathers very well, opens your pores allowing the body oils to surface, this may be the 'slimy' feeling. It's much healthier to have soft water because you get cleaner by opening your pores. You'll get used to that very quickly and wonder how you ever lived without soft water. Faster to wash dishes, softer skin, shinier hair, easier to shave - what's he waiting for? You BOTH deserve better water today!


I’ve heard that a water softener is the only appliance that can actually save you money, and not cost you money, how is that true?

 This is true, you save money in soap because it lathers so much better and you don’t have to use nearly as much and you save money in plumbing repairs caused by damaging hard water deposits. Hard water deposits can cause all kinds of plumbing problems in pipes and fixtures. Additional cost benefits are having to purchase less cleaning supplies and even clothes will last longer with soft water. Washing clothes in hard water is like washing with little tiny rocks wearing them out prematurely. Other than adding salt, most of our softeners will go at least ten years without any serious maintenance and over time, more than pay for themselves.


How much sodium is added to the water from a softener?

 That depends on the hardness of the original water. Please refer to our page on "Understanding" showing the amount of sodium per quart of softened water.

What exactly is a Reverse Osmosis System?

 Reverse Osmosis (R.O) is a separation process originally developed by NASA in which water is passed through a semi-permeable membrane, leaving behind the dissolved solids that are too large to fit through the membrane. Along with a pre- filter and a post filter, an R.O System will remove dirt, sediment, dissolved solids, viruses, organic molecules, pesticides, chlorine, taste and odour.


How do I know if I need an R.O. System?

 With the condition of the world’s water supply, we believe it’s a good idea for everyone to have an R.O System or at least some kind of filtration for your drinking water, food preparation, coffee, tea, and juices. We know we wouldn’t want to be without one. We do suggest you purchase one of our home Water Analysis Test Kits, and find out for yourself what your water has in it.


Can I install an R.O. System Myself?

 Most of the R.O. Systems we offer are very easy to install, have color coded water lines, insert fittings and they both have step by step instructions. The most difficult step may be drilling the hole in the sink for the faucet (if you don’t already have an extra hole in your sink), if you have a stainless steel sink, or an enameled steel sink, a drill bit made to go through steel will go through rather easy. If you have a cast iron sink you may want to remove your sprayer, or mount the faucet in the counter top. You may also have your local plumber install the system. On average expect approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours to install using a licensed Plumber.


I don’t have a water softener can I still have a R.O. System?

 Almost all R. O. Systems recommend that you do not use them if you have over 10 grains of hardness in your water supply. It will cause the filter to clog and have to be replaced more often. If you have less than 10 grains of hardness it’s not a problem. If you have iron present it can also clog the filters. We do recommend in most cases you pre-treat your water with a water softener before your R.O. system.

Superior service makes 360 Water System customers proud to refer family, friends and co-workers. A majority of calls are made by people experiencing problems with their present system and more than 75% of their work comes from re-doing improperly completed work or removing inferior systems installed by their competitors.

Recognized as Water Specialists: in all areas of water, they excel at addressing rural water problems and iron issues. Clients range from Homeowners, Businesses, Plumbing Contractors and Commercial Trades.

An Industry Leader: 360 Water System has developed custom manufactured systems that elevate them above the competition. They have monitored the local hydrology and listened to residents chief concerns.This interaction has enabled them to develop water treatment systems that provide solutions to very specific concerns. Customers appreciate that they are "problem water specialists" and this has inspired the development of several specialty products both technologically and environmentally superiour to what's being offered anywhere else.

Custom Solutions Based on Your Specific Concerns: Whether you live in an urban environment or have issues with rural water, these systems are customized to address your unique concerns. Eliminate Toxic Organic Compounds (TOC'S) such as salt, sulpher,bacteria and other harmful contaminants from your water and will neutralize the harmful, cumulative effects of Iron, Maganese, Chlorine, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's).

Choose from a Variety of Popular and Proprietary Products: such as Reverse Osmosis and UV drinking water systems, Water Filters, Iron Filters, Carbon Filters, Test Kits, Parts and Accessories. And of course inspired, technologically advanced patent pending, eco-friendly systems:

IRON MAX:
unique blend of proprietary formulated iron reduction medias. Patented technology and No Chemicals! Better water pressure, increased flow saves you money and energy.

LOGI MAX PRO:
advanced water treatment using leading edge technology for continuous supply of soft water. Optimim efficiency saves salt and water.

VALUE MAX PRO:
Softer, brighter clothes, protects appliances from damaging hard water deposits. Multi-level programming, whisper quiet.

ALL NEW BRINE RECOVERY SYSTEM (BRS) SOFTENERS

LOGI MAX BRS:
Environmentally friendly, a huge advancement in ion exchange technology will save thousands of litres of
water, and hundreds of pounds of salt. Available in a range of sizes from residential up to commercial.

(View more products)

Water Treatment Systems are NOT created equally! Your water problems are unique - your system should be too. Visit their Showroom and review over 20 water softener systems on display. They have cutaways of various softener valves so they can explain and visually share the features, benefits and the pros and cons of each of the different systems and discuss which would work best for your issues and your budget.

Added Benifits:

• Authorized "MYERS Pumps & Softeners Warranty Service Depot",

• Service and Repair most other company’s softeners and product lines:

Myers Water Softeners, Nova Tec, Water Group Canada, Waterite, Hellenbrand, Clairion, Clack, Fleck, Sears, Echo Water, GE, Water Boss, R-Can, Trojan, Most R.O.'s , U.V.'s & Filters, as well as a large variety of different point of use to whole house filters. After 30 years experience, Sheldon has worked on dozens of product lines. If you don’t see the name or manufacturer of yours here, it's worth the enquiry to get it fixed. Another "Specialist" advantage!

"Enhancing the Quality of Your Water, Enhances the Quality of Your Life!"

Water Treatment Systems are NOT created equally!
Your water problems are unique - your system should be too.

Why choose 360 Water Systems - "Your Water Softener and Purifcation Specialist"?
First and foremost, 360 Water Systems is NOT a Franchise. It is owner operated by a skilled, professionally trained plumber and certified water specialist (CWS) and has been a member of your community for over 30 years. 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 the WTTR.ca INC. products can be customized and sized proportionately, to provide your ultimate solution, the first time!

The Internet is fine for Research but Buyer Beware!
When you invest in your water treatment system the first most critical component is UNDERSTANDING water. The second is UNDERSTANDING what you need specifically and why. Experience and knowledge are key to getting you the right system. Working with a Water SPECIALIST who you can talk to, ask questions and receive advice from is the best way to ensure you get the system that's right for you and your family.

The specialists at 360 Water Systems are happy to introduce you to our products from the comfort of your home and we'll even offer advice if you ask - but we won't sell you anything online. The owner is a master plumber who understands the industry and an active member of the CWQA (Canadian Water Quality Association). They will make an appointment to listen and ask questions, test your water and make other analysis: volume, pressure flow etc. before recommending the right product for your unique situation.


BIG BOX STORES:
In our experience with BIG BOX - it's all about the "sale". There are no specialists. They purchased a system from a sales person who knew little or nothing about water treatment issues. They may do their job well, be professional and courteous but it has nothing to do with whether the system they sold you will fix your problem.

The system may seem like a great deal but BUYER BEWARE! Retail giants change their suppliers on a regular basis, that may affect the accessibility for service and parts!

MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING:
The top 3 strikes:
• They know nothing more than what their sales literature and industry hype tells them.
• They are usually more motivated to get you to join their downline than provide a solution to your water issues.
• Prices tend to be over inflated to cover off the various levels involved.


STILL WONDERING?
National chains and franchises are more concerned with having their sales people memorize a script designed to sell everyone the same RO system.They range in price from $3,500-$4,500. You are paying for commissions, advertising and other overhead and worse - may not even need what all they are selling. However, consult with YOUR LOCAL WATER SOFTENER AND PURIFICATION SPECIALIST you will purchase a better system, customized for your specific needs, at half the cost. No one water problem can benefit from a cookie cutter solution.

THE NUMBER 1 FAILURE OF WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT: mis-application, improper equipment size.
Save your money and peace of mind. What works for your RV, boat or kitchen sink is not the same as a house hold system or vice-versa. Choose the right system for the right purpose the first time. An accredited professional, water treatment specialist will give you a better product, reliable service and fitted properly for peak efficiency that will give you years of worry free, quality results.

REPUTATION:
360 Water Systems has a solid reputation for experience and quality results. Family owned and operated for over 30 years, they have a retail store front that you can view hands on products and accessories and speak to a live person with a vested interest in keeping you happy. They support the North American economy by buying from North American manufacturers and stand behind parts and service availability.

SERVICE/WARRANTIES:
They have service warranties from the manufacturer as well as their own. They guarantee their installation and any service calls for the first year so it costs you nothing. Try finding that online.

SAVE MONEY, LONGETIVITY, PEACE OF MIND:
Choose 360 Water Systems for peace of mind, satisfaction, reliably installed equipment the first time for quality water ALL the time!

What is hard water?

If you suffer from dry, itchy skin or have dry, brittle hair; have shower doors and faucets that are stained and cloudy no matter how hard you try and clean them; have build up in your appliances as well as glassware that is pitted and stained; and it takes forever to get soap to lather and cleaning products don't last, then you are seeing the evidence that results from having hard water. Simply stated, hard water is water that contains dissolved (rock) or hardness minerals that are picked up during the hydrologic cycle. This process begins as soon as water hits the ground after rain. As water filters through the ground it dissolves a little bit of everything it comes in contact with.

Hardness comes from the following minerals:

> Limestone
> Chalk
> Marble
> Calcium

Areas that are rich in these minerals will have hard water.

Why is hard water a problem?

Hard water is safe to drink, however water that contains hardness creates two primary problems in the household water supply.

1. The hardness will manifest as a hard scale build up where the water evaporates or rises in temperature. This build up can occur in water heaters, pipes and plumbing fixtures like sink faucets and toilet stools. This residue builds over time crusting over and corroding pipes, fixtures and coverings that will eventually cause enough damage that the appliance/fixture fails and must be replaced.

2. Water that contains hardness will react with soap and cleaning products to form soap curd. This is soap that has come out of solution and turned into a solid. Soap curd is very sticky and collects on everything it touches. Soap curd is responsible for the following problems:

• Dull Laundry

• Foggy Shower Doors

• Dry Skin

• Limp, Dry, Lifeless Hair

• Water spots on fixtures and Clogged drains

Iron is the other key ingredient. If you have a well providing your water supply, iron will more than likely be present. Anything that causes stain is referred to as iron by most people. Actually there are many different things in water that cause a stain such as:
Iron, Ferrous-clear, Tannins, Manganese, Bacterial - Living Ferric-color, Hydrogen Sulfide

Most iron begins as a ferrous iron which is clear before being exposed to air, then it oxidizes and becomes ferric iron - red in color. Iron is normally found as a mixture of ferrous and ferric because of some oxidation that occurs in the ground. The third type of iron is bacterial iron. This is a micro organism that feeds on ferrous iron and converts it to ferric iron. This bacterium is easy to identify with the eye.

Anywhere that water stands in the open air, such as a stool holding tank, or a shower stall you will find a slippery gel substance and often times an oil slick on the water surface that has a rainbow effect.

This is showing the presence of bacterial iron and could be a sign that basic water conditioning alone may not solve the complete problem. Here are some basic rules to follow:

• Ferrous iron will come out through the ion exchange water softener.
• Ferric iron can be managed with an oversized softener to a degree.
• Bacterial iron needs to be addressed separately.

Water Conditioner ratings on iron apply to ferrous iron.
Bacterial iron is usually only a problem where water stands in the open air. Iron filters will solve the bacterial iron problem, but some simple tricks can manage the problem without the expense and maintenance of equipment. Use automatic toilet bowl dispensers and refill with bleach. Chlorinate the well occasionally and flush the lines to the outside.

How a Water Softener Works.
There are three components to a water softener:
1. Resin tank-contains resin that treats the water.
2. Brine tank-contains the salt and water to make brine to regenerate the resin.
3. Control valve-Operates system

The resin in a water softener is a porous bead made from polystyrene. It has a negative charge and collects positive ions, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Sodium also has a positive charge, but during regeneration the resin beads are bombarded with so much sodium the positive charged calcium, magnesium, and iron are forced down the drain. The resin beads only hold so much sodium after regeneration, the less charged sodium is released when the calcium, magnesium, and iron make contact with the resin. The amount of resin in a water softener determines the size of the softener.

What makes Resin good?
Bead size and shape, beads are referred to in mesh size and there is a standard range of acceptable mesh sizes. Standard resin range is 16 mesh to 40 mesh. Good beads should always be in this range. The shape of the beads should be a perfect sphere; broken beads will appear jagged in shape.

Why is the shape of the Resin beads so important?
Resin leakage. If beads are broken up they can get past the distributor and into the house, lose capacity after a time and become unable to handle iron. When assessing the quality of a softener one must know the resin quality!

Resin Tanks:
Resin tanks are made of stainless steel and fiberglass; all are roughed and strong. The stainless steel and fiberglass will eliminate corrosion. Stainless steel tanks tend to condense more than fiberglass. A resin tank should be covered by an insulted jacket or have a drip pan under it if located where floor damage could result from condensation.

Distributors:
Standard distributors have one tube going down from the valve to the bottom of the tank. There must be 50% free board (the distance between the top of the resin bed and the top of the tank) with a standard distributor. This freeboard is used during back washing when the resin bed is expanded up to the fill space.

Turbulator distributors have one tube going down, from the valve to the bottom of the tank, and another goes up from the bottom to 14" below the tank neck. The freeboard is 10" with a Turbulator; the Turbulator pulls resin from the bottom of the tank and redistributes it to the top of the bed during backwash. This process does not require the 50% free space like the standard distributor. The Turbulator offers more bed depth for a given size system than a standard distributor. The greater the bed depth the greater the iron control, because there is more contact time with the water passing through the bed. The scrubbing action of the Turbulator helps get the iron off the beads. Turbulator are used on 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0, cubic foot resin beds.

Brine Tanks:
Brine tanks are used to mix salt and water to make brine.

Important brine tank components:
- Seamless design on tank Brine well
- Salt grid overflow tubing
- Overflow protection valve air checks

Salt Types:
1. Purified (also called evaporated), comes standard or with iron inhibitor added and mined by pump method.
2. Solar, evaporated sea salt or from the Great Salt Lake.
3. Rock Salt (unprocessed and dirty).

Remember! The cleaner the salt, the less frequently brine tanks need cleaning!
Potassium may now also be used but the cost is more and it's not as effective on iron.

Control Valve
Types of Valves:
Manual: Operator initiates and changes cycles (just about obsolete).
Semi Automatic: Operator initiates cycle and unit automatically shuts off.
Automatic: Fully automatic-operates on a set schedule without attention.
Demand Initiated automatic: Fully automatic-operates on water usage.

Materials of Construction:
1. Brass Casting: Hand machined, last forever as only internal parts may require replacement, very rugged.
2. Plastic Molded: Injection Molded, cost effective, non-corrosive, but can be susceptible to cracking.

Regeneration Types:

Timer Control: Scheduled, set 5-6-7 or 12 day scheduled determined by calculation.
Advantages: Easy and very reliable, less to go wrong, cost effective.
Disadvantages: Unit charges whether it needs it or not. Unless you use the exact same amount of water every day, unit can charge too much wasting to much salt and water, or may not charge enough, causing unit to run out of soft water.

Meter Control-Single Tank:
A meter is set by gallons to trip the system into regeneration.
Advantages: Cycles are based on water consumption saving water and salt.
Disadvantages: Initial cost is higher, reserve capacity could make unit inefficient with a consistent water consumption pattern.

Meter Control-Twin Tank:
A meter is set by gallons to trip the system into regeneration, one tank is fully exhausted before the control valve is switched to a second stand by tank.
Advantages: The most efficient method of conditioning water, regeneration water is soft not hard.
Disadvantages: Initial cost is much higher.

Water Conditioners have 4 different Valve Styles:
Hydraulic: Liquid driven
Solenoid Operated: Uses solenoids and diaphragms
Cam Driven: Motor rotated cam emerges plungers and pistons
Positive Driven: Piston is direct driven to cycle position [This is the system we feel is the best and what our systems use]
The valve with the least number of moving parts will have the lowest rate of service and be the easiest to service. Usually this is the positive or cam driven option.

Mechanical Systems vs Electronics
Mechanical systems are easy to diagnose and service and can almost always be serviced on site. Also, mechanical system repairs are usually less expensive. Electronic systems usually cannot be repaired on site and may need to be completely replaced if problems occur. Also, electronic systems are susceptible to changes in the conditions in whichthey were placed, such as basements or garages where humidity and condensation are present.

Cabinet one piece models vs Two piece models:
Cabinet models have the brine tank and resin tank together which can cause salt bridging, when the resin tank has condensation making the salt wet and turning it hard so it can’t drop down to dissolve. With the cabinet models being one pieceit is virtually impossible to clean out the brine tank and with the salt and the water being so close to the control valve it can cause the control to corrode. Although cabinet models save space, a two piece unit with a compact brine tank can make the system just as efficient on saving space.

The preceding information is to help you understand water conditioning so you can make an informed consumer decision.
We hope you allow us to analyze your needs for the right system at a competitive price. Choosing the right system and having it properly installed will ultimately save you money on detergent, chemicals and so much more, all the while you enjoy safer, better tasting water, cleaner clothes, softer hair and skin and longer lasting appliances.

We are not a franchise, we are family owned and operated and specialize in providing excellent service, we know the area and provide the ultimate solutions for our unique, local water issues. Our clients are proud to refer us to family and friends. Find out why WTTR is your choice in Water Softener Purification Specialists today!