Water softener replacement
Replacing a softener is a chance to fix sizing and plumbing problems the old one had. Here's what to think about.
Softeners last for years, but the control valve, resin and tanks all wear. When a unit needs repeated repairs, parts are no longer available, or it never kept up with your water, replacing it is often the cleaner fix. Homes that came with a softener from a previous owner are a common case: nobody knows how old it is or how it was set up.
When does replacement make sense?
- The unit is old and needs a major valve or resin repair
- Parts for the brand or model are hard to get
- Your household or water use has changed a lot
- You switched from city water to a well, or the reverse
- The tank or brine tank is cracked or leaking
What should change with a new unit?
Start with a fresh water test, not the settings on the old unit. Then size the new softener to your hardness and usage. A replacement is also a good time to fix problems with the old installation: a missing bypass, a drain line without a proper air gap, a unit exposed to freezing, or outdoor lines that never needed softened water.
Salt or salt-free?
Traditional ion-exchange softeners remove hardness minerals and are what most people mean by a softener. You'll also see salt-free "conditioners" that are marketed to reduce scale without removing the minerals. They work differently and don't produce soft water in the usual sense. Ask the company exactly what a product does, and what independent certification it has, before choosing.
What happens to the old unit?
Ask whether removal and disposal of the old tanks are included in the quote.
The water treatment company prices the job after it knows your water, your plumbing and what equipment makes sense. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone before anyone has tested the water or seen the install spot is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How do I know how old my softener is?
Look for a sticker or serial number on the control head or tank. The manufacturer or a technician can often date it from that.
Can a new softener use the old plumbing?
Often, if it's in good shape and in the right place. The installer may recommend changes to the bypass, drain or location.
Related services
- Water softener installation
- Water softener repair
- Whole-house filtration
- Reverse osmosis drinking water
More background: Prescott hard water guide.
Spotty glasses, crusty faucets or a softener that quit?
Call now and a local water treatment company will help you figure out what your water needs.