# Water Softner Inspections **URL:** \ **Category:** Florida and SUNachi Inspectors\ **Created:** [November 17, 2014, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377 "2014-11-17T23:07:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sfogarty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfogarty/32/58235_2.png) [@sfogarty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfogarty)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/1 "2014-11-17T23:07:18Z")
Since FL has a ton of softener systems, what do other inspectors generally do when they run across them. Do you disclaim, visually inspect, or manually cycle the equipment to ensure its works as advertised? ---
**Author:** ![rlewis5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rlewis5/32/337040_2.png) [@rlewis5](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rlewis5)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/2 "2014-11-17T23:35:39Z")
Ignore it. ---
**Author:** ![jritter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6a8cbe/32.png) [@jritter](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jritter)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/3 "2014-11-17T23:50:04Z")
Just report its there, information only. Not inspected ---
**Author:** ![rlewis5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rlewis5/32/337040_2.png) [@rlewis5](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rlewis5)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/4 "2014-11-17T23:51:39Z")
> [@jritter](#): > > Just report its there, information only. Not inspected What good would that do? A pure waste of time. ---
**Author:** ![mmeeker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mmeeker/32/59432_2.png) [@mmeeker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mmeeker)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 12:16am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/5 "2014-11-18T00:16:52Z")
> [@rlewis5](#): > > Ignore it. And disclaim it. ---
**Author:** ![rlewis5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rlewis5/32/337040_2.png) [@rlewis5](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rlewis5)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 12:18am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/6 "2014-11-18T00:18:23Z")
How do you do that ? ---
**Author:** ![rlewis5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rlewis5/32/337040_2.png) [@rlewis5](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rlewis5)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 12:23am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/7 "2014-11-18T00:23:46Z")
I can see the comment now! " The dwelling contains a water softener. I don’t know how the friggin thing works so instead of looking like a fool I advise that you find someone that know what the hells going on with this contraption for a more definitive answer". Now on the other hand…If and only if you know what you are talking about then write it up. Big difference! ---
**Author:** ![jshishilla](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jshishilla/32/1188_2.png) [@jshishilla](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jshishilla)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 12:54am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/8 "2014-11-18T00:54:38Z")
This is what I add to my report > [@](#): > > The water filter/softener system was not inspected. We do not inspect water filter systems. I recommend contacting a water filter company for proper operation and repairs as needed. ---
**Author:** ![sfogarty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfogarty/32/58235_2.png) [@sfogarty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfogarty)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/9 "2014-11-18T00:57:46Z")
> [@jshishilla](#): > > This is what I add to my report Thank you for a professional response. ---
**Author:** ![sstaggs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sstaggs/32/1777_2.png) [@sstaggs](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sstaggs)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/10 "2014-11-18T01:10:23Z")
> [@jritter](#): > > Just report its there, information only. Not inspected Wouldn’t do good, plus tell that to a judge when it goes to court. Better to disclaim in your inspection report. ---
**Author:** ![mmeeker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mmeeker/32/59432_2.png) [@mmeeker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mmeeker)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 1:36am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/11 "2014-11-18T01:36:07Z")
I hate to admit it but I would go with JS’s wording. ---
**Author:** ![mgratton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mgratton/32/58251_2.png) [@mgratton](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mgratton)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 1:58am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/12 "2014-11-18T01:58:23Z")
I disclaim water softener but still look to see where it drains when it regenerate. Sometimes it drains into the septic which is not ideal, sometimes it drains directly into the sewer without a trap and without an air break. This is a safety issue and gets mentioned in the report. · Unless specifically noted in your report, we do not inspect the following: clothes washing connections, wells, pumps, or water storage related equipment, water conditioning systems, solar water heating systems, fire and lawn sprinkler systems. ---
**Author:** ![wsiegel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3d9bf3/32.png) [@wsiegel](https://forum.nachi.org/u/wsiegel)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/13 "2014-11-18T02:55:09Z")
61.30.806 of the State standards: (3) The inspector is not required to inspect: (a) Wells or water storage related equipment; (b) Water conditioning systems; ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/14 "2014-11-18T03:19:56Z")
> [@jshishilla](#): > > This is what I add to my report > [@](#): > > The water filter/softener system was not inspected. We do not inspect water filter systems. I recommend contacting a water filter company for proper operation and repairs as needed. > [@sfogarty](#): > > Thank you for a professional response. Nice, John…professional, indeed. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![rlewis5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rlewis5/32/337040_2.png) [@rlewis5](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rlewis5)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 1:03pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/15 "2014-11-18T13:03:43Z")
> [@sstaggs](#): > > Wouldn’t do good, plus tell that to a judge when it goes to court. Better to disclaim in your inspection report. Why when it is clearly stated in the FL SOP that it isn’t inspected? That is why I send the SOP and my license to the clients before inspection. Anyone who would go to court over a $500-1500 machine would be crazy anyways. Out of pocket would be what I would do. ---
**Author:** ![ldapkus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ldapkus/32/58272_2.png) [@ldapkus](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ldapkus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 1:10pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/16 "2014-11-18T13:10:02Z")
> [@sstaggs](#): > > Wouldn’t do good, plus _ **tell that to a judge when it goes to court.** _ Better to disclaim in your inspection report. Why is it going to court? ---
**Author:** ![jbelrose](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jbelrose/32/58203_2.png) [@jbelrose](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jbelrose)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 1:16pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/17 "2014-11-18T13:16:37Z")
I refer them to a water systems specialist for the best performance, typically a well driller, since almost all of my systems here are associated with a well. ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 1:20pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/18 "2014-11-18T13:20:07Z")
Since this thread has gotten a bit silly let me chime in. I used to service water softeners from several brands. If you imagine as a home inspector that you are qualified to test one for proper operation in a few minutes let me put that to rest. YOU ARE NOT For those of you who make any claim about their condition, please explain how you have any assurance of their proper operation. I know how to verify them and won’t do it EVER on a home inspection. ---
**Author:** ![rlewis5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rlewis5/32/337040_2.png) [@rlewis5](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rlewis5)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 1:30pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/19 "2014-11-18T13:30:33Z")
I agree with that, but the question is to note it or not. ---
**Author:** ![mlarson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mlarson/32/89225_2.png) [@mlarson](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mlarson)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 1:32pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377/20 "2014-11-18T13:32:30Z")
> [@rlewis5](#): > > I agree with that, but the question is to note it or not. Its not part of any SOP that I am aware of. I take a picture of the mechanical area to document it. Often they are leased units and I tell my client verbally to check with the owner. [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/water-softner-inspections/91377.md?page=2)