A used water softener can look like a good deal, especially when it is listed for pickup. In O'Fallon, a unit's history matters as much as its condition, because the water it treated and the way it was maintained affect what you will be connecting it to. Use the checks below to decide whether a used unit is worth bringing home, and what to do once it is in your house.
Start with the history
Ask the current owner plain questions before you agree to anything.
- What water source did it treat, a city supply or a private well?
- Was there iron, sulfur, or sediment in the water, and was a filter used ahead of it?
- Why is it being removed, and was it working when it left service?
- Was the brine tank kept clean, and was the salt kept dry?
- Do you have the model label, the manual, or any service records?
Inspect the tanks and valve
Look at the unit in daylight, with the owner present if possible.
- Check both tanks for cracks, bulges, or fresh staining near seams and fittings.
- Look under the control head and around the valve body for crusty mineral buildup or moisture.
- Confirm the control head has no broken buttons, cracked housing, or a display that fails to light.
- Inspect the brine tank for heavy salt bridging, sludge, or a float that sticks.
- Look at the drain hose and fittings for brittle or split sections.
Match the unit to your water
A softener that worked well on one supply may not suit another. Public water reports describe O'Fallon tap water as hard, so most homes here are looking for scale control. Private wells in the area can carry iron, manganese, or hydrogen sulfide, and some shallow wells may show coliform or E. coli. A unit used on iron-heavy water may have resin that needs cleaning or replacement, and the seller may not know this. Before you use a used unit on a private well, have your water tested. The MO State Public Health Lab offers free or low-cost coliform, E. coli, and iron bacteria testing. If you find iron or sulfur problems, ask a licensed professional to look at the unit before you rely on it.
Plan the move
Softeners are heavy, and tanks can crack from a hard drop. Empty any remaining water and salt before lifting. Use a helper, keep the unit upright on a hand truck with straps, and do not carry it by the control head or the drain fittings. Once home, set it in a dry area with room to service it, and keep it away from spots where freezing temperatures can reach the valve or lines.
Before you connect it
- Confirm the valve is in the bypass position before you cut into any supply lines.
- Run a full cleaning cycle with fresh salt, following the manual for your model.
- Set the hardness setting only after you have a reading you trust, using a home test kit as a starting point.
- Check every connection for drips during the first cycles, and again a few days later.
- Compare softened water with a sample from an untreated tap so you can see the change for yourself.
Keep a record
Write down the date you brought the unit home, what the seller told you, the model label details, and every test result. A simple log helps you spot changes in salt use, regeneration timing, or water taste later, and it gives any future service visit a clear starting point. If something seems wrong, such as persistent leaking, a sulfur odor, or cloudy water after treatment, stop using the unit and check the basics before you run it again.