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 most accurate way to determine whether you have hard water is to purchase a water test kit from a hardware store or send a tap water sample to a lab. But there are some signs you can look out for without professional testing. For instance, if you're consistently dealing with mineral stains on your glassware, windows, and shower doors, you're likely to have hard water. Hard water can also make it harder to lather and rinse soap, so if you're struggling to work up a good lather in the shower, hard water might be the culprit.
It’s not a good idea to oversize your water softener. Doing so will mean the tank doesn’t get full, which can lead to channeling. This leads to a large portion of the resin beads not being utilized and the beads at the bottom of the tank being overused. Over time, this will reduce the efficiency of your system, not to mention that the upfront cost of an oversized softener is unnecessarily high. If you have a timed regeneration cycle rather than a demand-based one, you’ll also spend far more on replacing salt than you need to.
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.
You can decide whether you need a water softener or water filter based on how your bathing or laundry experience is. If you notice issues like limescale buildup, dry skin, or stains on dishes—all telltale signs of hard water—you'd likely benefit from a water softener. However, if your main concern is over chemicals or bacteria in your tap water filter, and not just comfort, a filter is a better option.
The Wheaton, MN homeowners’ guide to water softener services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Water softener repair costs can add up, but they’re almost always worthwhile. Use this guide to see what your project is going to cost before you get started.
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.
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.
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.
