Get matched with top water softener pros in Irmo, SC

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: What are the side effects of drinking hard water?

• <div><p>Drinking hard water is not known to have any negative health impacts. Using hard water can lead to dry skin and hair, and the minerals in hard water can build up in pipes, faucets, and appliances. Hard water is more of a threat to your plumbing than it is to your health.</p></div>

Q: Are hard water stains permanent?

• <div><p>Hard water stains can be a headache because they will reoccur as long as hard water flows through. Thankfully, hard water stains are not permanent. With the right tools and an appropriate cleaning routine, you can prevent hard water stains from ever building up. However, you might feel like you are stuck in a constant cleaning cycle. In that case, you may consider hiring a contractor to perform routine cleaning.</p></div>

Q: Will a water descaler descale pipes?

• <div><p>No, a water descaler won't descale pipes. The charged water running through the pipes may very slowly dissolve mineral deposits and hold them inside the water, but it's a very gradual process. If your pipes do need descaling, it's much better to get a local plumber to descale your pipes. </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 Irmo, SC

*The Angi rating for Water Softener Service companies in Irmo, SC 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 Irmo, SC 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 August 24, 2026

Reviewed in August 2026
A very efficient job understandable i can very much enjoy the lack of water getting caught up in the gutter drains
Labor Pros
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Reviewed in August 2026
Nate Sansbury removed an old hot water and installed a new one. He did a fantastic job.
Gator Flow LLC
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Reviewed in August 2025
AJ did a great job installing the Tankless Water heater, but also the installation and adjusting all of the circulation system to give us ready hot water at every faucet. I will call him first for anything to do with plumbing.
AJ Plumbing
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Reviewed in September 2024
Living Water Plumbing and Drain always exceeds my expectations. Chris always gives top notch customer service, fair pricing, and he shares helpful information to prevent further issues from happening. I trust LWP&D to get the job done right, the first time. Chris never tries to sell me on...
Living Water Drain and Plumbing
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Reviewed in May 2023
project: tankless water heater install. They met my expectations. Did a very good job.
1-800 Plumber & Air of Columbia
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Reviewed in January 2023
The outside spigot froze and the line busted Christmas Eve. Jason was down the street taking care of a neighborâ s problem. I saw the van and walked down to ask if he would stop at my house on his way out just to see what could be done to enable having water until a repair could be made. He was...
The Purple Plumber, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2022
Our water was full of iron and left our toilets, showers, sinks, and even parts of washing machine orange. We have been dealing with this issue for many years and were sick of dealing with it. Recently, Bryan at Southeast Plumbing and Gas installed a water filtration system to our existing (...
Southeast Plumbing & Gas, LLC
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Reviewed in September 2022
It was a lot of work my house is 61 years old and they change all the drainage all the new pipes for water and water from To be able to drink that water without this much worried put keys for my future dishwasher and put a house shut off next to my house for me easier to shut it off.
Reds Plumbing
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Reviewed in September 2022
The installation of our water heater was fast and the clean was great. Colten was the worker that services us. We’ve had work done by Kay Plumbing before and they did a good job then also. We will continue to use them in the future.
Kay Plumbing Services
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Reviewed in July 2022
Great service provided on water tank for reasonable price.
Express Plumbing & Home Repair
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Find Water softener pros in Irmo

Quality Life Solutions, LLC

4.5(

126

)

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

Serving Irmo, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2004

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Great product with their water softener. Great service!"

116 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by84%of homeowners

Request Quote

Hustle 2 Flow Plumbing

4.8(

)

Well Pump - Repair or Service

Serving Irmo, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They came out on a Saturday and did this after dark, and we finally have water! So thankful!"

Response time2 hrs

28 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by91%of homeowners

Well Pump - Repair or Service

Serving Irmo, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

Credit card accepted

"Cody came out promptly, he was very professional and knowledgeable in doing the job. The cost was reasonable for the job and he did more than a Perfect 5 Star rating. I will recommend Reds Plumbing to all my family, friends, neighbors and whoever needs a great plumbing company. Cody is the man! Excellent work and great attitude. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟"

+14

Recommended by62%of homeowners

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

Serving Irmo, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"He came on time was very polite went right to work did a great job. He was very professional the way you wish others would be, and changed 2 times less then others to install a hot water heater, I told my husband I think we found a plumber we can trust to say the least we would definitely call him again ."

Response time6 hrs

Response rate100%

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

Serving Irmo, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2007

Warranties offered

Customers say: Super punctual

"Went well once water line found."

5 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by66%of homeowners

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Rocky Branch Utilities

4.8(

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or Replace

Serving Irmo, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Precise, clean job. Worked fast and friendly."

Response time2 days

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Preferred Home Services, LLC

4.5(

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or Replace

Serving Irmo, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2014

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Alec Moore with Preferred Home Services, was very polite, courteous and knowledgeable. He did a great job fixing our hot water recirculating pump and flush the hot water tank. Very pleased with the service he provided and will most definitely recommend to our family, friends and neighbors."

Response time1 day

Response rate100%

408 neighbors recently requested a quote

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2nd Wind Heating Air Conditioning

3.0(

)

Water Treatment & Purification System - Install or Replace

Serving Irmo, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

2nd Wind Heating & Air Conditioning has proudly served Greater Columbia, Lexington, and the Midlands since 1985 as a trusted provider of HVAC, plumbing, and generator services. 2nd Wind offers a full range of heating and cooling solutions, along with tailored options like indoor air quality enhancements. Backed by a strong reputation, 2nd Wind remains the go-to choice for heating and air conditioning in Columbia.

99 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Install All SC

New to Angi

Well Pump - Repair or Service

Serving Irmo, SC and surrounding areas

Approved

Professional, highly skilled, friendly individual who has a good working knowledge of many aspects of repair, maintenance, and installation.

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American Plumbing Service

4.8(

100

)

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

Serving Irmo, SC and surrounding areas

In business since 2014

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"it went well. He also helped me with the water running issue in the toilet tank."

Tim Cook, owner of American Plumbing Service

Recommended by92%of homeowners

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Showing 1-10 of 70

Water Softeners questions, answered by experts

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.

Drinking hard water is not known to have any negative health impacts. Using hard water can lead to dry skin and hair, and the minerals in hard water can build up in pipes, faucets, and appliances. Hard water is more of a threat to your plumbing than it is to your health.

Hard water stains can be a headache because they will reoccur as long as hard water flows through. Thankfully, hard water stains are not permanent. With the right tools and an appropriate cleaning routine, you can prevent hard water stains from ever building up. However, you might feel like you are stuck in a constant cleaning cycle. In that case, you may consider hiring a contractor to perform routine cleaning.

No, a water descaler won't descale pipes. The charged water running through the pipes may very slowly dissolve mineral deposits and hold them inside the water, but it's a very gradual process. If your pipes do need descaling, it's much better to get a local plumber to descale your pipes.

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 Irmo, SC 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

C.E. Larusso
•
Aug 3, 2026Aug 3, 2026
How Much Does Water Softener Installation Cost? [2026 Data]
How much a water softener costs depends on your home’s size, and the system’s type and capacity. Our expert guide explores all the price factors.
Paige Bennett
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
What Is a Water Softener and Is It Right for Your Home?
Water softeners remove minerals from hard water in your home and make your water more pleasant to use. Learn more about how they work here.
Allie Ogletree
•
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.
Taylor Sansano
•
Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
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.
Becca Stokes
•
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.
Dan Simms
•
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.