Where to Install a Water Softener in Your Home
Choosing your water softener’s location doesn’t need to be hard
Basements and garages are the most common locations.
Crawl spaces should be your final option.
Soft water prevents mineral buildup in pipes.
The average softener installation costs around $1,500.
A water softener treats your hard water by removing minerals, resulting in softer, more enjoyable water. But you may wonder where to install a water softener—and why. The location of your water lines will determine where you install your water softener. That being said, you should hire a pro to double-check your chosen spot and perform the installation.
The main difference between soft water and hard water is the mineral content. Hard water has higher levels of calcium and magnesium, whereas soft water has undergone a process to remove these minerals.
4 Common Places to Install a Water Softener in Your Home
First of all, installing a water softener is a pro-level job, so don’t try this at home (literally). However, you can help move the job along by determining the best location to install it. Remember that the softener is most effective when installed where the city’s water or well water attaches to your home. Because pipes are buried, this is usually in a basement.
Next to the Water Heater
Softeners are most commonly installed in the basement next to a water heater. There are a few reasons for this: basements have extra space, the main water lines come in through the basement, and pipes aren’t always covered by walls or flooring.
Another benefit of installing next to a water heater is that it’s easier to track down problems in the system. Any plumbing issues that crop up are likely to be near the water heater or softener, which allows you to check both easily. Bonus points, as basements are usually not too tight of spaces.
Crawl Space
Not all homes have basements. If they don’t, they likely have a crawl space. These vary in size and are more difficult to work in compared to a basement, and they present unique climate considerations. Those in colder climates may not even have the option, as frozen water can damage the system. Excess humidity is another common crawl space problem.
A benefit of crawl space installation is that it doesn’t take up space in the home. Not everyone appreciates the look of these devices, and if they’re in a crawl space, you never have to see them unless you’re working on them. However, this is the least desirable location for a softener due to its inaccessibility.
Garage
A garage can be a great place to install a water softener, but you need the space and the water line access. The garage also preserves some of the ambient temperature of the home, meaning you don’t need to worry about freezing pipes in the winter.
Like a crawl space, a garage installation keeps the softener out of the livable space of the home and should be easy to access. If you don’t have a basement (and already have the water’s point of entry to the home in the garage), this is the preferred option.
Utility Room
Utility rooms often have good pipe access, but they would need to be near or at the start of your water system. A local water softener installation pro can help determine if this is the case.
However, a utility room installation has significant downsides. This is the only installation option that uses space inside the home. Secondly, you may need to remove flooring or walls to access the correct pipes. Finally, if there are any leakage issues, this could affect a more expensive part of your home to fix.
How to Pick the Right Location
Picking the right location isn’t always a choice—meaning your house and your home’s water entry point will likely choose for you. However, if you have a home where you actually do have options, choose the location that is the easiest to access and uses the least amount of livable space.
These appliances can be big, and you may need to make some room. Some tips to make space for a water softener are:
Stack your washer and dryer.
Rearrange basement furniture (or even walls).
Consider installing a crawl space if you don’t have one.
Install cabinets or shelves above the softener for added storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water softener installation costs vary, but on average, homeowners will pay between $200 and $6,000. Due to their location, complexity, type of unit, and water demands, water softeners have a very wide price range. That being said, the average installation cost for most homes is around $1,500.
The main difference between water softeners and water filters is that softeners remove hard minerals from the water, while filters have more of a blanket effect, removing all contaminants above a certain size. Filters are also much less expensive to install and protect against bacteria and other impurities. Depending on your water supply, you may need both.
Water softeners have many benefits. The most important one is converting previously hard water—water with too many minerals—to more usable, easier water. When we say easier water, we mean water that’s easier to digest, less harsh on skin and clothes, and builds up less in the water system. Softer water may lead to lower energy costs and will extend the lifespan of all appliances that use water.
Get our Angi-powered app
