Best water softener pros near Tolono, IL

Q: Should I hire a professional or replace a water softener myself?

• <div><p>If your water softener repair is fairly straightforward, like a simple filter replacement, then you can probably do it yourself with little risk. However, anything beyond a simple fix should be addressed by someone with extensive plumbing expertise to avoid costly water softener problems, like leaks. </p><p>That said, even simple problems can be complicated to diagnose, particularly if your water softener is attached to a whole-house treatment system. So, unless you feel absolutely certain that the problem is an easy fix that you can take on yourself, it's probably best to hire a plumber to diagnose and fix the problem.</p></div>

Q: Can you drain a water softener into a cleanout?

• <div><p>No. You should never directly drain a water softener into a sewer cleanout. This practice is illegal in many areas because it could allow raw sewage to get into your drinking water and make you seriously ill. Many places have codes requiring a specific seal, pipe, and a large air gap between a water softener and a sewage cleanout. Check out <a href="https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/FLPC2023P1/chapter-6-water-supply-and-distribution#FLPC2023P1_Ch06_Sec608.14.1">Florida's Plumbing Building Code</a> as an example of what these restrictions might look like. </p></div>

Q: What does hard water feel like?

• <div><p>Hard water doesn&rsquo;t hurt, but it might feel more abrasive, especially if you have sensitive skin. It&rsquo;s also about how your skin feels <i>after</i> bathing. You might feel as though you have a sticky film over your body because you do&mdash;it&rsquo;s all that soapy residue left behind because the hard water can&rsquo;t rinse it off completely.</p></div>

Q: What is the difference between a water softener and a water filter, and which one do I need?

• <div><p>The primary difference between a water softener and a water filter lies in what they remove from the water. A water softener is designed to remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium. In contrast, a water filter has a broader effect, removing various contaminants above a certain size, which can include bacteria and other impurities.</p><p>To decide which you need, consider your goal. If you want to eliminate hard minerals, choose a softener. If you want to remove a wide range of contaminants, a filter is the better option. Filters are also generally less expensive to install. Depending on your water supply, you may need to install both for comprehensive treatment.</p></div>

Q: Do you need a license or permit to install a water softener?

• <div><p>Whether you need a license or permit for water softener installation depends on your location. Some municipalities require the installer to hold a plumbing license, while others may only require a permit and an inspection. In some cases, both a permit and a licensed installer are necessary, and some areas have no requirements at all. Often, only certified plumbers and electricians are allowed to pull the necessary permits. To find out the specific regulations in your area, you can contact your local building department. Alternatively, a local water softener installer or plumber will be familiar with the requirements and can typically pull the permits for you. Regardless of local laws, it is always recommended to hire a licensed professional to ensure the system is sized and installed correctly. You can use tools like Angi&rsquo;s state licensing tool to verify an installer's license status.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Water Softener Service pros in Tolono, IL

*The Angi rating for Water Softener Service companies in Tolono, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Softener Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Water Softener Service companies in Tolono, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Softener Service needs.

Last update on March 19, 2025

Reviewed in March 2025
Paul DeBolt, from Chief/Bauer, did a great job on the maintenance of my water heater. When I asked if I could watch and have him explain the steps, Paul had no problems. He left my utility room completely spotless. Next time I have a plumbing issue, I'll definitely ask for Paul.
Chief/Bauer Service Experts
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Reviewed in October 2023
Easy to work with. Great work. Good communication. Identified problems (water leaks) that I didn't know I had and Josh was able to repair them saving me from having to find another contractor.
2nd Street Painting
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Reviewed in January 2023
They did plumbing on my complete shed that included on demand hot water, bathroom, a mini split for heating and air through the whole shed, And a kitchen. They also ran all my gas lines. The job was finished totally professional and was finished in a timely matter. I wouldn't call anyone else.
Next Level Plumbing, LLC
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Reviewed in November 2021
Very professional. Helped us out when we really needed it at a very reasonable price! Crawled through cold water to replace a sump pump in our crawl space. Definitely recommend!
Reifsteck Handyman Service
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Reviewed in September 2021
They were quick to repair the water damage I had on my ceiling. They did the best the could at containing the mess, but the clean should have been more professional. But happy with the service will go to them again!
Anaya Drywall
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Reviewed in November 2019
Kodiak Improvements fixed the issue less than two hours after their initial inspection. A point in the roof just needed some sealant applied to prevent water seepage. Cost was very reasonable -- would definitely consider Kodiak for other work.
KODIAK IMPROVEMENTS, INC
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Reviewed in August 2019
Todd Root has replaced our disposal, fixed our emergency leak in our sump pump pipe, fixed our slow drain in the kitchen sink and adjusted our toilet that wouldn't shut off after flushing, and fixed our shower that was installed by someone who did not set the control to deliver water hot...
Root's Plumbing
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Reviewed in February 2019
I have used Chandler's Plumbing several times for small things (toilet valve type of stuff) and also big projects (replacing water heaters). They have always been professional, thorough, and competitively priced (though not very punctual). The price always ends up as quoted or very close....
Chandler's Plumbing
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Reviewed in February 2019
Suggested good ideas for solving water pooling and yard decotration problems. Implemented quickly. Too soon to tell how they work and last over the long term.
Marion Landscapes & Tree Service
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Reviewed in December 2018
Friendly, professional, timely, cleaned everything up. They charged what they estimated. Replaced an installed new water heater.
Ritter Plumbing, Inc.
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Top-Rated Water softener pros in Tolono - Updated Nov 2026

Pure Water Solutions

5.0(

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Tolono, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Was surprised to get a response as quickly as I did. Even more surprised that he was able to complete the job the next day. Plumbers in this area are few and far between. We have a lot of iron in our water so this system has a third tank that addresses this issue instead of a small filter that we had to replace quite frequently."

Response time1 day

14 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Edelman Cooling, Plumbing, Electric & Solar

4.3(

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Tolono, IL and surrounding areas

Approved (Corporate)

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Here at Edelman, we’re your trusted local team for HVAC heating & cooling services around northern Illinois. We provide residential repair, replacement, installation, and maintenance.\n\nEdelman is built on 23 years of experience, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to delivering the best service to every client and customer. We stand behind our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on all service, repairs, and replacements.

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Ameriplumb Plumbing Co.

4.9(

)

Well Pump - Repair or Service

Serving Tolono, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Our sump pump stopped working and was submerged in water. He took out old pump and replaced it with a new one.
"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or ServiceWell Pump - Repair or Service

Serving Tolono, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"They are replacing my water heater."

Recommended by81%of homeowners

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Edelman Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electric & Solar

5.0(

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Tolono, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Here at Edelman, we’re your trusted local team for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and solar services across Central Illinois. We provide residential repair, replacement, installation, and maintenance.\n\nEdelman is built on 23 years of experience, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to delivering the best service to every client and customer. We stand behind our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on all service, repairs, and replacements.

+17

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American Home Shield – Home Warranty

3.5(

5,689

)

Well Pump - Repair or Service

Serving Tolono, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 1971

Credit card accepted

"Well, the first time the replacement was ordered it was the wrong one, which of course, delayed the installation a week. When it was finally installed I had to pay an additional $850 for code upgrades. This I was not informed of by Home Shield. Then we noticed that there was water on the garage floor and found that the pipe coming in from the wall was leaking at the wall so had to call the plumbing company back out to fix it. They first tried to say it was not their fault but since there wasn't a leak before they installed they did fix it. I have used Home Shield a few times before and never had a problem. Some of the companies they use are not the best so you have to research them before you commit. I have found HS service to be good if you do your homework. At the end of the day I was without hot water for almost 3 weeks but it was do to the plumbing company they sent out."

Recommended by65%of homeowners

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DelVon Hardaway

New to Angi

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or Replace

Serving Tolono, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

DelVon Hardaway is the professional you are looking for when a home or business energy analysis is required. More and more this is becoming a valuable tool across the country. Everyone needs a current energy audit, so do not hesitate to call DelVon Hardaway for your energy savings analysis.

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Rod Franklin Well Services, Inc.

New to Angi

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or ReplaceWater Treatment & Purification System - Repair or Service

Serving Tolono, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity and quality work. We are experts in our water treatment systems and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to working with you.

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Water Softeners FAQs, answered by experts

If your water softener repair is fairly straightforward, like a simple filter replacement, then you can probably do it yourself with little risk. However, anything beyond a simple fix should be addressed by someone with extensive plumbing expertise to avoid costly water softener problems, like leaks.

That said, even simple problems can be complicated to diagnose, particularly if your water softener is attached to a whole-house treatment system. So, unless you feel absolutely certain that the problem is an easy fix that you can take on yourself, it's probably best to hire a plumber to diagnose and fix the problem.

No. You should never directly drain a water softener into a sewer cleanout. This practice is illegal in many areas because it could allow raw sewage to get into your drinking water and make you seriously ill. Many places have codes requiring a specific seal, pipe, and a large air gap between a water softener and a sewage cleanout. Check out Florida's Plumbing Building Code as an example of what these restrictions might look like.

Hard water doesn’t hurt, but it might feel more abrasive, especially if you have sensitive skin. It’s also about how your skin feels after bathing. You might feel as though you have a sticky film over your body because you do—it’s all that soapy residue left behind because the hard water can’t rinse it off completely.

The primary difference between a water softener and a water filter lies in what they remove from the water. A water softener is designed to remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium. In contrast, a water filter has a broader effect, removing various contaminants above a certain size, which can include bacteria and other impurities.

To decide which you need, consider your goal. If you want to eliminate hard minerals, choose a softener. If you want to remove a wide range of contaminants, a filter is the better option. Filters are also generally less expensive to install. Depending on your water supply, you may need to install both for comprehensive treatment.

Whether you need a license or permit for water softener installation depends on your location. Some municipalities require the installer to hold a plumbing license, while others may only require a permit and an inspection. In some cases, both a permit and a licensed installer are necessary, and some areas have no requirements at all. Often, only certified plumbers and electricians are allowed to pull the necessary permits. To find out the specific regulations in your area, you can contact your local building department. Alternatively, a local water softener installer or plumber will be familiar with the requirements and can typically pull the permits for you. Regardless of local laws, it is always recommended to hire a licensed professional to ensure the system is sized and installed correctly. You can use tools like Angi’s state licensing tool to verify an installer's license status.

The Tolono, IL homeowners’ guide to water softener services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Paige Bennett
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
What Is a Water Softener and Is It Right for Your Home?
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•
Jul 15, 2026Jul 15, 2026
How a Water Softener Works: Comprehensive Guide
Water softeners work to remove unwanted minerals from hard water through a filtration and recharge cycle. Keep reading to learn how a water softener works.
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•
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4 Water Softener Alternatives That Ditch the Salt
There are four common softener alternatives available on the market today. We compare and contrast each one to help you find your best-fit solution in this blog.
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•
Jul 8, 2026Jul 8, 2026
Water Softener Regeneration: A Brilliantly Discreet Method for Removing Hard Water
Water softeners rid your home of hard minerals and, well, soften your water. Even better, the regeneration process is an automatic cycle that works when you’re least likely to use it.
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•
Aug 1, 2026Aug 1, 2026
How to Inspect Your Water Softener in 9 Simple Steps
Your water softener works overtime to keep your water safe. Use this guide on how to check your water heater for damage or poor performance.
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•
Aug 4, 2026Aug 4, 2026
Give Your Water a Gentle Touch With These Efficient Water Softeners
Water softeners remove hard minerals from your tap water, improving plumbing systems and water-using appliances. Here are the most efficient water softeners out there.