The slippery feeling definitely throws people off at first—I hear that a lot. It's just your skin adjusting to the lack of minerals. As for taste, a separate filter is the way to go... good call on that. Sounds like you're on the right track!
That slippery feeling does fade after a while, but if you're still bothered by it, tweaking your softener settings can help. Most units have an adjustable valve—dialing back slightly on softness might improve the texture without losing benefits. Also, speaking of filters, have you checked your water pressure before installing one? Some filters can noticeably drop pressure, so it's worth measuring beforehand to avoid surprises later... learned that lesson the hard way myself. Have you run into any pressure issues yet?
Good advice on checking pressure beforehand—seen plenty of folks surprised by filters cutting flow. Sometimes it's not just the filter, though; undersized piping or too many elbows can also choke things. Worth taking a quick look at pipe sizing and layout while you're at it...
Definitely agree on the pipe sizing and layout point—often overlooked, but crucial. I've seen DIY bathroom projects where folks focus a lot on fixtures and aesthetics, but neglect the basics like pipe diameter and routing. Even a small section of undersized pipe or too many sharp bends can significantly reduce water flow and pressure.
One thing I'd add from experience is to double-check your shut-off valves too. Older valves can sometimes get partially stuck or corroded internally, restricting flow without you even realizing it. Had a tenant once complain about low shower pressure, and after checking filters and piping, turned out the culprit was an old gate valve that wasn't fully opening anymore. Swapped it out for a quality ball valve, problem solved.
Also, if you're doing any soldering or connections yourself, take your time and be meticulous. A tiny bit of debris or excess solder inside the pipe can cause turbulence and reduce flow. I always flush the lines thoroughly after working on them to clear out any leftover junk.
Finally—don't underestimate the importance of proper venting. Poor venting won't just cause slow drains; it can also affect water flow indirectly by creating airlocks and pressure imbalances in your plumbing system. If you've got walls open anyway, it's worth checking your vents are correctly sized and routed.
Good luck with your project... plumbing can be finicky, but patience and attention to detail usually pay off in the end.
Great points about the valves—I hadn't even thought about those yet, honestly. I'm tackling my first bathroom DIY right now, and it's easy to get caught up in picking out nice fixtures and tiles, but your post reminded me to slow down and double-check the plumbing basics. Definitely going to take extra care when soldering too... feels a bit intimidating, but hearing your tips makes me feel more confident. Thanks for sharing your experience!
