Water Softener

A water softener is a filtration system that removes minerals like calcium and magnesium from your home's water supply, preventing scale buildup in pipes and appliances. Hard water can affect everything from your morning shower to your dishwasher's performance and your water heater's lifespan. Whether you're exploring installation options or need maintenance tips, Angi connects you with local pros and helpful guides to keep your water flowing smoothly.

Related to Water Softener Service

Water Softener Service Articles and Advice
Taylor Sansano  •  Apr 10, 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.
Dan Simms  •  Apr 10, 2026
Can You Use Potassium Chloride in Any Water Softener?
Switching up the salt you use in your water softener can do wonders for your water. But can you use potassium chloride in any water softener? Find out!
Timothy Moore  •  Apr 10, 2026
Is Your Water Softener Turning Water Gray? 6 Possible Causes and How to Stop It
Is your water softener turning water gray? It would be a chlorine, mineral, rust, or bacteria issue. Click here to see how you can fix the problem.
Paige Bennett  •  Apr 10, 2026
What Is Water Softener Salt? Cost, Types, and Everything You Need to Know
Many water softeners use salt in order to remove minerals from hard water. But what is water softener salt? Learn how water softener salt works in this guide.
Jamie Cattanach  •  Apr 10, 2026
Is Hard Water Bad for You? How It Impacts Your Skin, Hair, and Appliances
Is hard water bad for you? Not to drink, but it can dry out your skin and create problems for your household appliances. Here’s what you need to know.
Paige Bennett  •  Apr 10, 2026
Is a Water Softener for a Tankless Water Heater Necessary?
If your home has hard water, it can damage your appliances, including the water heater. Find out if you need a water softener for your tankless water heater.
Jamie Cattanach  •  Apr 10, 2026
What Causes Hard Water and How Do You Soften It?
What causes hard water? An excess of minerals, like calcium and magnesium, are the culprit, but water softeners can decrease the problem.
Barbara Bellesi Zito  •  Apr 10, 2026
What Is Hard Water and What Does It Mean for Your Home?
What is hard water? It contains high levels of minerals that dry skin and hair, stain dishes and clothes, and limit the life span of plumbing and appliances.
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Common Water Softener Service Questions

Determining whether you should use potassium chloride versus sodium chloride water softener salts really depends on your budget and personal preferences. If you need to limit sodium intake or have lots of houseplants, it may be worth it to splurge on using potassium chloride in your water softener. Otherwise, sodium chloride costs less and is more efficient.

Yes, you can drink water that’s gone through a salt-free water softener. Salt-free water softeners are especially good to drink from for anyone who has to limit their sodium intake due to health reasons but still wants filtered water. Salt-free water softeners are also great for shower and bath water for people with skin sensitivities. 

Yes, a water softener can remove scale deposits. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, after you add a water softener to your home, “gradually the softer water will dissolve limescale scale deposits and remove the problem entirely.” Installing a water softener—or water descaler—will also help prevent new scale deposits from forming.

If your water softener is on the fritz and it's 10 years old or more, then it probably makes more financial sense to replace the water softener rather than spend money to repair it only to find that you need to replace the whole system a year or two later. Water softeners last for between 10 and 15 years, in most cases, so replacing before yours breaks down could end up saving you money. If you’re experiencing the first issue with your system, a repair probably makes sense. For ongoing issues or an older system, replacement is likely better.

Yes, it’s absolutely safe to regenerate your water softener manually, and you might want to do so after adding salt. However, you should refrain from doing it too often, as you’ll be needlessly wasting salt and reducing your water softener’s lifespan if you regenerate too frequently. For most water softeners, the appliance is already set to regenerate automatically, so you don’t need to do it manually unless you just added salt and don’t want to wait for the automatic cycle.