If you’ve noticed your skin and hair getting drier and your clothes getting dull; it’s not in your head. These issues are often caused by water hardness, which is the amount of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium in your water.
Water Softener Services
Here is a snippet of what a water softener is, how it works and why you should consider it. A water softener is a type of water treatment system designed to address water hardness and improve water quality in your home.
How Water Softeners Work
A water softening unit is a system that works on the principle of ion exchange. To put it simply, what makes water harder is the presence of minerals like magnesium and calcium, which are positively charged. The resin beads used in the systems have negatively charged sites. When water flows through the resin, the positively charged ions are attracted to the negatively charged ions. The calcium and magnesium attach themselves to the resin beads, displacing the sodium ions on the beads. In this process, the calcium and magnesium ions are replaced with sodium ions, effectively removing the hard minerals from the water and softening it. This is how an ion exchange, one of the commonly installed water softening units, works.
Benefits for Your Home
Understanding what the water softening system can do for you can help you decide whether to make the investment or not. Here are some benefits:
- Protect your appliances: The buildup in your appliances, such as water heaters, can scale up, reducing their efficiency and increasing your utility costs. Soft water helps prevent scale buildup in your water heater, improving its efficiency and lifespan. The water softener system prevents this and increases the longevity of your appliances, saving you money in the long run.
- Sweeter water: Hard water has an unpleasant or bitter taste due to the minerals it contains. Once those minerals are eliminated, you’ll have fresh tap water that’s easier to drink.
- Safer for your utensils and clothes: When you do laundry with hard water, the detergents can sometimes react with the minerals, forcing you to use more detergent. Additionally, the mineral deposits remain on your clothes, making them appear dull. These deposits also make dish soap less effective at foaming and can leave spots and streaks on your utensils. The water treatment makes washing dishes easier and more effective, helping keep your dishes cleaner.
- Improved skin and hair: Hard water can strip off oils on your skin and hair, leaving the skin irritated and the hair brittle. It also blocks your pores, aggravating acne and conditions like eczema. Showering with soft water is gentler on skin and hair, providing a more comfortable experience.
- Extended lifetime plumbing: Removing mineral deposits prevents the accumulation of debris within pipes and fittings, which can clog and block pipes. Soft water is also less corrosive compared to hard water, which significantly reduces corrosion damage as well. Soft water helps maintain the quality of water used in showers, reducing buildup in showerheads and pipes.
- Better for daily activities: Soft water improves water quality for daily activities such as cooking and showering, making food preparation safer and enhancing personal hygiene with more enjoyable showers.
Finding Local Water Softener Providers
Finding the water softening provider ensures you get value for your money, and as a homeowner, longevity is critical. A local provider could also mean reduced costs, as they don’t have to account for transportation. To find providers in your specific area, try searching for water softening services by entering your zip code. Here’s how to research like a pro for the best water softener service near you.
Search “ Near Me” on Google
In this age, search engines are powerful, and with the right input, they get you what you want. Here’s how to use the “near me” hack effectively:
- Use different keyword variations: Search “ home water softener service”, “water softener installation near me”, “licensed plumber for water softener installation”, “plumber water softener repair”, “cheap water softener service”, “water softener repair near me.” Including ‘licensed plumber’ in your search helps ensure you find qualified professionals for installation and repair. These terms may connect you with different service providers in your area.
- Take advantage of map tools: Map tools like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Yelp not only show you what water softener services are near you, but they also display business ratings, open business hours, and proximity. All these can be helpful when you want a quick service.
- Check local directories: These are like address books that can be accessed online. They help you find the service providers in any industry in your area and how they compare to their competitors. Some local directories worth checking out include Angi, Thumbtack, and HomeAdvisor.
- Leverage your local communities: Social media has made it very easy to get reputable services. Simply check if there are any communities for your neighborhood on Reddit or FaceBook and ask for recommendations. Simply searching “ water softener services in {your state}” can get you tons of results on Reddit.
Reviewing Reputation and Credentials
After your research, you probably have a few recommendations. Before you’re set on one, it’s essential to conduct some basic due diligence. Here’s how to dig deeper to find your best option:
- Read the service providers’ reviews: Don’t only look at the rating. Check what their customers say about their punctuality, problem-solving, feedback, communication, and professionalism.
- Ask about their hard water softening experience: Just because a company deals with water challenges at home doesn’t mean they are experienced with water softening. Be sure to ask about their experience with the specific service you need.
- Check their licensing and insurance: Ensure the provider you choose has proper permits and liability coverage. This will save you from shoddy installation, voided warranties, and financial liability if the installer damages your property during the installation process.
- Ask if a thorough inspection is included: Confirm whether the provider performs a professional inspection as part of their installation or maintenance service. A proper inspection ensures correct installation and compliance with licensing requirements.
Local Vs National Providers
Another question you need to consider before settling on a water softener provider is whether you prefer to work with a local or national service provider. Here is a comparison of the two:
- Cost: The installation costs for local providers’ water softeners range from $600 to $2500, while those for national providers range from $1000 to $4000. When comparing providers, make sure to evaluate price transparency and request a clear, upfront price from each to avoid hidden fees.
- Water testing: Most local providers offer complimentary water testing, while national providers typically bundle this service, which can further inflate the final bill.
- Expertise: Local providers often have more tailored solutions because they’ve dealt with several cases similar to yours.
- Warranty: National providers have larger budgets and can offer more comprehensive and longer warranties.
- Customer service: Although national providers have more resources, local technicians often offer a faster response rate for emergencies and ongoing support.
In most cases, if you’re a homeowner on a budget, working with a local water softener provider is the most effective way to go.
Installation and Maintenance After Care
Besides the water softener installation itself, you want to ensure that the provider you choose can offer further assistance in the process. Providers should offer water softener repair and replacement services to ensure your system remains operational throughout its lifespan. Here are other professional services offered:
- System inspection and diagnosis
- Regular maintenance to keep your water softener working properly and to determine when replacement is necessary
- Salt delivery and refilling
- Troubleshooting and fixing minor issues
- Upgrading or replacing outdated units
Analyzing your Water
A professional provider analyzes your water, assesses your home, and gathers information on your water usage. During the analysis, a professional will test for water hardness and contaminants to ensure your drinking water is safe. Many providers offer a free water test to help homeowners assess their water quality before choosing a system. With this information, they can utilize their expertise to determine the ideal solution for your water. They can also advise against systems that are likely to be unreliable in the long run. This significantly reduces the number of hours you’d have spent researching as a homeowner to choose the right system.
Takes Care of other Installation Details
A great service provider will ensure the permits are ready before the installation day to avoid problems with the local authorities. They’ll also choose a location for your water softener. Some providers may also recommend or install a filtration system to further improve water quality, addressing specific household needs.
Follow Up
When you work with a great provider, they offer a follow-up channel to ensure you’re getting value from your investment. If something goes wrong, you have someone trustworthy to fix it, even in the years to come. They should also provide guidance on the best way to maintain your water softener.
Comparing Costs and Services
You don’t want to pay more than necessary, so it’s important to compare the quotes effectively and avoid overpriced companies. Here are some tips on how to do this:
- Gather at least three quotes: We recommend getting at least three of your best quotes to have a realistic range.
- Ask about the type of systems the providers are using: There are several types of water softeners, including dual-tank, salt-free, and electromagnetic, water distiller and magnetic systems. All their prices vary, so it’s crucial to know which system your providers will be using for an accurate comparison.
- Consider the quality of the systems and services offered: High-quality units and services ensure better performance, durability, and water safety for your home.
- Ask if a water filter is included or recommended: A water filter is essential for removing contaminants and maintaining optimal water quality, so check if it’s part of the system or should be added.
- System capacity: System capacity is measured in grains per gallon (GPG), referring to the amount of water a system can filter. Systems with a higher GPG are pricier than those with a lower capacity, so it’s important you know the capacity your provider will be using.
- Detailed breakdown of annual maintenance: Finally, ask the providers to provide a quote for the maintenance fee, including consumable expenses such as salt.
Ensuring clean, safe water for your home should be a top priority when making your decision. With this information, you can determine which provider aligns with your budget and needs.
Tips for a Long-Lasting Water Softener
Once your water softener system is installed, you want to ensure it lasts longer and remains effective. Regular maintenance not only extends the life of your system but also helps provide cleaner water for your household. Here’s how you can do this:
- Check the salt level monthly: Most softeners use salt to eliminate calcium and magnesium. Low salt levels require the system to work harder to soften water. To avoid this, check the brine tank every five weeks and replace it with superior grains.
- Clean the brine annually: Over time, the salt may generate “salt bridges” that may affect water movement. To deal with this, empty your tank once a year and clean it thoroughly with a gentle solution and warm water.
- Inspect for leaks and wear: Check for cracks and leaks during routine maintenance and tighten the worn up components. Look for leaking tanks or connections, as these are common maintenance issues. Pay extra attention to sediment filters if you’re using well water, as it can contain debris that can strain the system.
- Monitor for unusual odors or smells: If you notice any unpleasant or strange smells in your water, it could indicate a need for maintenance or cleaning. Odors can be caused by contaminants and should be addressed promptly to maintain water quality.
- Schedule professional services: To supplement your DIY efforts, hire a technician at least once a year to test settings, address issues such as valve malfunctions, resin bed contamination, and low water pressure, which can be a sign of a problem that needs to be addressed. A professional technician will do a thorough job to ensure your system is running optimally.
Looking for a Good Water Softener Installation Bargain?
Installing a water softener in your home can be life-changing, no more brittle hair, acne and dull clothes. If you’ve decided to install a system, choosing the right expert to install it is critical, as it can significantly impact your experience. Before you settle on a provider, ensure they’re certified and that their previous customers are satisfied with their services. Also, consider how the provider treats its customers and employees, as companies that treat people well often deliver better service and reliability.
Once you’re done with the water softener installation, check out our other guides on how to enhance your home even further.
