What is the difference between a “soft water loop with drain and outlet to include standard bib” and “soft water loop with hard water to hose bib?” Which one do I need in a new construction home? Or should I get both? The sales representative doesn't know. All that was determined that people generally by the more expensive one. That's not a good answer for me, but I cannot find an answer on the Internet. Any insight would be very, very appreciated.

The first option includes installation of soft water to your outside hose faucet. The second does not (it would receive untreated water, or, 'hard' water).

If you use your outdoor faucet for washing your vehicle(s), then you will probably want soft water, otherwise, you will be dealing with hard water spotting on the finish. If you only use the outdoor faucet for watering grass, garden, etc., then there is no need for soft water. That will save on the use of salt.

quote; If you only use the outdoor faucet for watering grass, garden, etc., then there is no need for soft water. That will save on the use of salt.

It may also save your plants because they seldom like the extra sodium in soft water.

[www.mayoclinic.org]

Unless one drinks like a fish, no worries about sodium in soft water.

As it happens, I use an exterior hose bibb to fill a fish pond. So I sure wouldn't want to waste a few hundred gallons of soft water every month, and I doubt the sodium would provide much benefit to the fish.

In any case, if I were building new, I would do this:

1. Hard water hose bibbs everywhere I want them, not just where builder is required to put them by code. For example I have two for the front yard, one at the rear of the house, one halfway between the house and the rear property line, and another for filling the pond.

2. Hot & cold mixer by the driveway or in garage for washing car. I don't have any of these because I quit washing cars over a decade ago, although it would come in handy when I need a decontamination shower outside every so often.

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Links to the State of Wisconsin Plumbing Code:
[docs.legis.wisconsin.gov]
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I am not a plumber.
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m & m (MD),

Thank you so much for responding to my question!! Your time is greatly appreciated.



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hj (AZ)

Thank you for the added information about the plants and extra sodium. I do appreciate that you took the time to reply.



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It is not a factor if you use Potassium Chloride, but then that is a lot more expensive also.