Frequently Asked Questions

The most obvious signs are white scale on your faucets and showerheads, spots on dishes, soap that won't lather, and dry skin after showering. A hardness test is the definitive answer — we offer free water testing.

A water softener specifically addresses hardness (calcium and magnesium) through ion exchange. A water filter removes contaminants through physical or chemical processes — sediment, chlorine, iron, etc. Many homes need both.

A water softener treats hardness but doesn't remove dissolved contaminants like nitrates, heavy metals, or fluoride. An under-sink RO system complements a softener by providing high-purity drinking water at the kitchen tap.

Properly maintained water softeners and filters typically last 15–25 years. The control valves (Fleck®, Clack®) are the most serviceable parts and can be rebuilt or replaced independently of the tank.

Non-proprietary means we use industry-standard components (Fleck®, Clack®, FILMTEC™ membranes) that are available from any water treatment supply house — not locked to our brand. This means lower service costs, no dependency on us, and more service options for you.

A properly sized metered softener regenerates on demand depending on your household water usage and incoming hardness. Timed systems regenerate on a fixed schedule, which is less efficient.

A slight salty taste usually indicates incorrect brine rinse settings or a resin bed problem. Ion-exchange softeners should not produce noticeably salty water. Call us to have the system checked and adjusted.

Most residential softeners need salt added every 4–8 weeks, depending on household size and water hardness. We recommend checking the brine tank monthly and refilling before it runs below half-full.

We recommend high-purity evaporated pellet salt (99%+ purity). Avoid rock salt, which contains impurities that can clog the brine tank. For systems with iron, use an iron-out or rust-remover salt blend.

Pre-filters and post-carbon filters every 6–12 months. The RO membrane every 2–5 years depending on water quality and usage. We recommend an annual service visit for residential RO systems.

The EPA recommends testing annually for bacteria (total coliform), nitrates, pH, and total dissolved solids. If you notice changes in taste, odor, or color, test immediately.

Standard softener resin can handle low levels of ferrous iron (typically up to 1–3 mg/L with iron-rated resin). For higher iron concentrations, a dedicated iron filter should be installed before the softener to protect the resin bed.

The most common cause is the magnesium anode rod in your water heater reacting with sulfate in your water. If the smell is only in hot water, try replacing the anode rod with an aluminum/zinc rod before investing in a full treatment system.

We offer flexible payment options. Contact me directly about financing questions — I can discuss payment plans and options tailored to your specific project and budget.

Yes. We provide a labor warranty on all installations and manufacturer warranties apply to all equipment. Fleck® and Clack® valves carry a 5-year warranty. Contact us for specific warranty terms.

Yes. We accept online payments via PayPal. Contact us for invoice payment links after your service appointment.