Water softener replacement
Sometimes repairing an old softener costs more than it's worth. Here's how to tell, and what to look for in the new one.
Washington County has a lot of homes that changed hands or were bought as second homes, so plenty of people inherit a softener with no manual, no service history and no idea how old it is. Replacing it can make sense when the valve is obsolete, the tank is cracked, the resin is spent, or the unit was never sized for the household living there now.
Repair or replace?
- Parts availability. If the control valve is discontinued, every future repair gets harder.
- Efficiency. Timer-only units regenerate whether you used water or not. A metered valve regenerates on actual use, which usually saves salt and water.
- Size. A house that went from two people to five, or added a casita, may have outgrown its softener.
- Leaks and tank damage. A cracked mineral tank or brine tank is usually a replacement job.
What should the replacement include?
- A fresh water test so the new unit is set for your water, not the old one's guess
- Removal of the old tanks and a check of the bypass, fittings and drain line
- A metered valve set as low as your water allows, in line with the city's guidance of about 18 grains and not over 22
- A walkthrough of the bypass, the salt level and the settings
Is a salt-free system the same thing?
No. So-called salt-free conditioners don't remove hardness minerals the way ion exchange softeners do; they aim to change how minerals behave so they're less likely to stick. Ask any company to explain plainly what its product does and doesn't do, and what results you should expect on glass and fixtures.
What affects the price?
- Capacity and valve type of the new system
- Removal and disposal of the old unit
- Any updated plumbing, bypass or drain work
The water treatment company prices the job after learning about your house, your water and, for installs and repairs, the spot where the equipment goes. We don't quote prices, and any number given over the phone is only a rough starting point until someone has seen the setup.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How do I know how old my softener is?
Look for a date or serial label on the control head or tank. If there isn't one, a technician can usually estimate from the valve model.
Can the new unit use my existing loop?
Usually. The installer will check the fittings and drain connection when quoting.
Related services
- Water softener installation
- Water softener repair
- Whole-house filtration
- Reverse osmosis drinking water
More background: Washington County hard water guide.
Spots on the glasses, crust on the faucets, or a softener that quit?
Call now and a local water treatment company will help you sort it out.