THE TOOL GUY

A couple of readers have commented on my Sept. 1 column in which I mentioned magnetic water conditioners. I was responding to a question from a reader who asked if there was any product that could be put in a toilet tank to prevent calcium buildup. I responded that I was unaware of such a product, but then mentioned magnetic water conditioners and described the theory behind them, stating that I had not personally used the product but my plumber swears by them.

Here are two letters I received:

Leon:

A retired chemical engineer, I investigated ‘Magnetic Water Conditioners’ a few years ago. If they worked, they would be less expensive and troublesome than ion exchange water softeners. After examining several careful studies, I concluded that they were hokum. Since your advice is usually first class, I was surprised and disappointed to see you recommending them.

I hope you will do your own research. Google “magnetic water conditioners” and you’ll find lots of people selling them as well as debunkers.”

Norman S., Spokane

And there’s this:

Mr. Frechette:

Your answer to an inquiry on calcium buildup in a toilet tank where you recommended magnet installation was in error and raises a question as to your knowledge. More important, it may cause homeowners costly and useless expense.

My son, a Ph.D. chemist, says that your description of the action of the so-called magnetic water conditioner cannot happen, has never happened, and will never happen, and the device is pure hokum. The magnetic water conditioner is a deceptive folk myth that people believe because they hear about it from those whom they trust and respect. During construction of my home 11 years ago, the plumber-subcontractor tried to sell me some of these magnets at a cost of several hundred dollars as a substitute for a water softener, and gave me the same kind of pitch that you received. It didn’t make sense to me then, a non-scientist; I considered it to be a bogus device.

Please reconsider what you wrote, contact local high school or college chemistry teachers for their assessments, and correct the record.

C.M.L., Spokane.

What I intended to do was to suggest magnetic water conditioners as one option the reader could research. I could have expanded by adding:

A water softener system would take care of your hard water situation, but you’ll have to decide if that is a cost-effective system to be placed on the cold water side to provide soft water for your toilet. However, there is a device that has been manufactured in the US since 1985 that you may want to consider: a magnetic water conditioner.

I want to say up front that there are water-treatment engineers and scientists who don’t stand behind this product. However, many individuals have found the system effective in a household setting. I personally have not used the product, but I know plumbers who have achieved some positive results in ongoing tests since 1985.

I cannot tell you for sure if this will work in your unique circumstances. If you decide to test the product, I suggest that you purchase it from a company or plumber who has a track record using the product.

Here’s the bottom line: my research shows that most of the magnetic water conditioner testing was done in an industrial environment, and since there’s a big difference between industrial and consumer environments, it may work differently at your house. I’m not endorsing the magnetic water conditioner, nor am I dismissing it simply because I have not tested it and some people seem to have positive results using it. In the individual home setting it may work or it may not.