Get matched with top water softener pros in Flandreau, SD

A good hardness level for drinking water can vary based on personal preferences, but an ideal level is 3.5 to 7 GPG. This means your water isn’t soft or hard. However, some people prefer the “fresh” taste from the minerals in hard water, while others like the smoother, “slippery” texture of soft water.

Yes, you can have both a water softener and a water filter. In fact, some manufacturers sell dual water softening and filtration systems that treat hard water and provide clean drinking water. If you’re unsure about what you need or want to discuss your options, reach out to a local water softener installation company.

You should not use a water conditioner with a water softener because a water conditioner changes the chemistry of the water and causes the ion exchange in a softener to be ineffective. Choose a water softener if you have hard water or well water, and use a water conditioner if you need to remove certain contaminants.

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.