Get matched with top water softener pros in Gettysburg, SD

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.

Experts recommend that you put two to four bags of potassium chloride in your water softener every month. This amount depends on how much is in the bag (40 pounds is most common) and what your water softener manufacturer recommends. For more specific advice, talk to a water softener pro in your area and read the manual that came with your system.

Replacing a water softener costs $200 to $6,000, depending on the capacity of the water softener, the type of water softener, and the amount of people living in your home. An ion exchange water softener is the most common type and costs $500 to $3,000. Water distillers, which cost $1,200 to $4,000, and dual-tank models, which cost $1,000 to $5,000, are definitely pricey, but they offer more filtration or capacity, respectively.

There are several things that can shorten the life of a water softener. Homes with very hard water may have to replace the unit sooner because the water softener works harder to filter out the hard minerals. High water usage and infrequent maintenance can also put more strain on a water softener.