What this covers
Hard water carries dissolved calcium and magnesium that leave scale in water heaters, faucets and showerheads and make soap work poorly. A softener exchanges those minerals for sodium or potassium in a resin tank and flushes itself with brine from a second tank on a schedule. The plumber tests the hardness, sizes the unit to the household, plumbs a bypass loop on the main line after any outdoor spigots, connects a drain for the regeneration cycle and power for the valve head, and programs the regeneration to water use. Careful work keeps hose bibs on untreated water, leaves a true bypass for service, and tests the softened water before leaving.
When to call
- White scale on faucets, showerheads and glassware.
- A water heater or tankless unit that scales up or needs frequent descaling.
- Soap that will not lather and skin or hair that feels dry after a shower.
- A hardness test or utility report in the hard or very hard range.
What to expect
- Test and sizeHardness and iron are measured and the unit sized to the household.
- PlumbA bypass loop is cut into the main line, with drain and brine connections.
- Set upThe valve head is programmed and salt added to the brine tank.
- VerifySoftened water is tested at a tap and the maintenance routine explained.
Get a certified company
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Questions people ask
Does softened water taste salty?
The small amount of sodium added is usually not noticeable. Potassium chloride can be used instead, and many homes add a reverse osmosis tap for drinking water.
Why keep outdoor spigots on hard water?
Lawns and gardens do not benefit from soft water and irrigation would use up salt and capacity quickly. The loop is placed so hose bibs stay untreated.
How much maintenance is there?
Keeping the brine tank stocked with salt and checking it monthly is the main task. The resin lasts many years in normal use.
Related: Water filtration systems · Tankless water heaters · Water heater installation · All plumbing
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