[michaelson]

I got a call from one of my tenants complaining about little amber particles coming out of the taps and collecting in the toilets. She claims it just started today and the neighbors are not having any trouble. Where could they be coming from?

 

[Akpsdvan]

Amber brings to mind a softener failing and the resin getting through and into the water.
Any kind of water treatment on the place or on that one apartment?

 

[michaelson]

Yes, there's a water softener there. It's rented and it's 30 years old.

 

[Akpsdvan]

I would have the renter show you some of the amber items.,,, and put the softener in bypass for now til some trouble shooting on it can be done.
If the amber items look like little ball bearings then it is from the softener.. it is resin .

 

[michaelson]

She described them as "little amber balls" and that softener has been in place for 30 years and it's thankfully not mine. I assume the water conditioning company will have to come fix that?

 

[Akpsdvan]

Depends on the deal that one has with them as the cost ....
But the little amber balls is softener resin so something has gone wrong.
A distributor break or an o ring gone ... but they should get out asap to keep more of the resin from getting out of the system.
If you can you should get over and find out if there is a bypass of some kind and put it into bypass to stop for now the resin leak.

 

[michaelson]

I called and walked them through shutting off the softener. She's concerned that the resin is toxic because her husband found some in his food. I figure it's not, right?

 

[Akpsdvan]

How did we as kids ever make it , remember the dirt that we would eat?
Now while I would not do a plate of resin,,, a few very most likely will not be noticed by the body.
But there are some people that even the littlest of some thing sets them off..

What brand is the system?
Renting for how many years?

 

[michaelson]

I have no idea what brand of system it is, but the thing's been there for almost 30 years.

 

[Akpsdvan]

I will see if I can send a pm with a graphic of what I am talking about with the distributor failing.

 

[Akpsdvan]

I would go with the center tube called a distributor having a crack and letting resin cross from in the tank to the water stream.
Again it depends on what that company is to cover in the rental of that unit as to who gets to pay for this.
If it has been rented that long it should have paid them many times over the cost of the system.

 

[michaelson]

What is the thought about water softeners now, rent or buy?

When I bought that house the softener was already in place. I kept renting it because it was just "there." There's also the plus that they deliver and pour the salt in. Not having the softener is not going to work out, our water is 8.2 grains per gallon and the fixtures get destroyed with hard water.

 

[Akpsdvan]

Depending on the total flow rate for the place in question as to what size would be best.
Any chance of a photo of the current system in place?
Pm and I can send an email for you to send it to.
Depending on size of the system one might spend for a good quality unit between 2 and 3k , that is with out a Brand name on the front.

 

[WaterLeaks]

Very good information @Akpsdvan. You are right, all the things we would eat as kids, and we rarely got sick. Actually, now that I think of it, I ate some pretty disgusting stuff that my mother told me at least. The truth is that our bodies are strong enough to withstand a little softener, but unfortunately, the U.S. has turned into a sue-happy country. So, I would get that taken care of [email protected]!

 

[michaelson]

The rental company just came out and replaced the entire system for no additional charge. It makes sense for me to have them handle it because they deliver salt.