A lot of people experience the problem of hard water in their bathrooms due to the excess presence of magnesium and calcium in the water.
In the industry, clack and fleck water softeners are the most recommended water softeners and the top choice of many homeowners. The Clack vs. Fleck water softener will tell you about the features and differences between the two.
In this guide, we will discuss the differences in detail and decide which one is better than the other.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Clack Water Softener | Fleck Water Softener |
| Softening Technology | Ion exchange with resin beads | Ion exchange with resin beads |
| Valve Type | Non-electric piston valve | Electric meter valve |
| Control Customization | Preset configurations | Highly customizable programming |
| Tank Type | Seamless polyethylene | Polyethylene or composite |
| Tank Warranty | 10 years | 5-10 years |
| Regeneration Method | Alternating twin tanks | Single tank |
| Regeneration Water Use | 35-50 gallons | 48-80 gallons |
| Regeneration Salt Use | 25-40 lbs/month | 30-130 lbs/month |
| Remote Monitoring | None | Optional AquaTrack |
| Installation | Simple | Advanced programmable |
| Cost | $$ | $$$ |
Clack and Fleck Overview
Clack water softeners are made by Clack Corporation, based in Wisconsin.
Clack focuses on valve innovation and was the first to introduce the alternating valve system. Their softeners emphasize simplicity and reliability.
Fleck water softeners are manufactured by Pentair, a large appliance company. Fleck is known for their durable tanks and flexible electronic controls. Their systems offer customization options for advanced water treatment.
Both brands produce quality water softening systems. Your choice mostly comes down to your needs and budget. The in-depth comparisons below will help you find the best fit.
Comparison Between Clack And Fleck Water Softener
The primary focus of each and every water softener in the industry is the same. The main function is to remove the excess magnesium and calcium from the water and reduce the hardness of the water.
However, there are a few differences between the Clack and Fleck water softener, and these are:
- Performance
The overall concept and the technology used by the Clack and Fleck water softeners are the same. However, there is a slight difference between the two water softeners in terms of performance.
The difference is that the Clack water softener offers faster performance and removes the excess components and elements faster compared to the Fleck unit.
- Efficiency
There is a slight difference between the efficiency of the Clack and Fleck water softener units.
The difference is that the Clack unit provides much more efficient performance and removes almost all of the impurities and elements from water that causes the water to harden.
- Maintenance
Similar to any component present and used in the household, water softeners installed in the bathroom also need to be maintained from time to time.
This maintenance will ensure that the water softeners are performing as they are supposed to and are safe for use.
In addition to that, it also ensures the great longevity of the components.
If we talk about the difference in maintenance between the Clack and Fleck water softeners, the difference is not that significant but it is still essential.
According to professionals, the Clack water softeners are easier to maintain compared to the Flack water softeners.
This means that the Clack water softeners can be maintained by the homeowners easily and the entire maintenance process will not cost much well.
On the other side, the maintenance of the Fleck water softeners is a bit complicated which in turn costs into a high maintenance cost.
- Tanks
Clack uses seamless, extruded polyethylene resin tanks. This material resists cracking and leaking better than standard fiberglass.
Fleck uses similar polyethylene tanks on most models. High-end Fleck softeners have tanks made of durable composites like CarbonRight for maximum strength.
Many Clack and Fleck tanks carry 10 year warranties. Overall tank durability is excellent on both brands.
- Valves
Clack uses proprietary piston-driven valves made from tough thermoplastic. Their unique alternating valve design has only one moving part for reliability.
Fleck is known for superb valve quality using durable noryl plastic heads and stainless steel assemblies. Their piston-style valves have a consistent 20+ year lifespan.
- Cabinets
Clack softener cabinets are made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic with reinforced corners.
Fleck uses similar ABS materials, or optionally fiberglass for increased strength.
Cabinets on both brands offer protection and long-term integrity.
- Availability
In the case of each and every component in the household, a lot of us care significantly about the availability of the component.
The reason behind this is that in case the component starts to malfunction or gets broken beyond repair, then we can replace it with a new one.
If we talk about the industry of water softeners, you will see that the Clack water softener is hard to find in comparison with the Fleck water softener.
This means that the Fleck water softeners are more easily available in the market. Homeowners and professionals can easily get hold of the components and their parts in case of replacement and repairing the water softeners.
- Longevity
We do not install appliances and components in our households that only last for a few weeks or months.
We always look for durable and long-lasting products that will provide a decent service for a long period of time. The case is the same for water softeners as we expect them to last for years.
If we talk about the longevity of water softeners, then they last for about 10 to 15 years on average. If we take a look at the longevity of the Clack and Fleck water softeners, then you will notice that the Clack water softeners last for a longer period of time.
- Control Valves
Clack primarily uses non-electric twin alternating valves (TAVs) to manage soft water flow. Settings are easy to adjust but limited compared to electronic controls.
Fleck offers a wide selection of electronic meter valves. Popular options include the 5600SXT digital valve with onboard touchpad programming.
- Price
Last but not least, there is a significant difference between the Clack and Fleck water softeners in terms of price.
The Clack water softeners come with a high price tag in the industry, while the Fleck water softeners are more cost-efficient and affordable.
- Add-Ons
Clack focuses mainly on the softening process without fancy add-ons.
Fleck softeners can integrate with various water treatment add-ons like UV sterilizers, carbon filters, and mineral injection systems for more complete water filtration.
- Customization
Clack softeners come in preset configurations optimized for water hardness and household size. Their settings offer simplicity at the cost of adjustability.
Fleck allows extensive customization during installation for advanced users. Softening capacity, backwash frequency, regeneration times, and other parameters can be tailored to your exact water profile.
The Survivor Of The Comparison
It is fair to say that the Clack water softener is better compared to the Fleck water softeners. If we consider the differences between the two water softeners properly, we will notice that the Clack water softeners provide a better performance and efficiency.
Not only is that, but maintenance of the Clack softeners is also easier compared to the other one. The only downside is that the Clack water softeners are more expensive and less available in the industry.
Now, if you decide to have Clack, here is how you can program its settings.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
There are several benefits of using a water softener in a bathroom. It eliminates the presence of excess calcium and magnesium and reduces softens the water. Using a water softener allows the water to be gentle on the skin and hair. This helps to keep the skin and hair smooth and soft.
The use of water softeners also reduces the water usage in a bathroom by a significant amount.
According to research and studies, there is the presence of calcium and magnesium in water. When the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water is more than the required amount, it causes the water to harden.
The use of hard water in the bathroom results in a limescale buildup in the water pipes, causing the pipes to block eventually. Not only that, but it also significantly causes damage to the hair and skin, and also increases water usage.
Yes, Fleck is one of the top water softener brands. They make durable, high-performing softeners known for flexible electronic controls. Their systems effectively soften water and can be customized for advanced treatment needs.
Clack water softeners are designed and assembled in the USA in Windsor, Wisconsin. Clack manufactures their own proprietary valve components.
A Clack water softener will typically last 15-20 years or longer. Their plastic tanks are warranted for 10 years but often last longer. The simple twin alternating valve design requires minimal servicing for extended life.
Conclusion
If you are confused about which water softener you should choose, then pay close attention and carefully consider the differences mentioned in the Clack vs. Fleck water softener comparison.
We hope that our guide will help you severely when it comes to choosing a water softener for your bathroom.