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As soft water is treated to remove these impurities, it is far more effective when used for washing. Often you can achieve the same level of soil removal in soft water by using lower water temperatures and a reduced amount of detergent than washing with hard water. A bypass valve enables you to divert water from the softener system, which can be useful in a number of situations. A bypass valve is also sometimes useful when using a volume of water where water hardness is not an issue. For example, if you’re doing yardwork it might make sense to divert water from the softener. Doing so saves the resin media from filtering water unnecessarily and shortening the time until the system’s next regeneration cycle.

Both reverse osmosis water and soft water are safe to drink, but they don’t allow you to get all of the minerals that you need. Installation cost generally comes at a fixed rate when you choose Home Depot because they have three options. You can choose between basic, mid-tier, and high-end water softener installation packages at Home Depot. Water softener installation generally takes 2 ½ hours, but mid-tier and high-end can take an extra hour or more.
How Much Salt Does A Water Softener Use?
If the hardness is set too high, the softener will cost more to operate and waste water, costing you extra money. This can contribute to elevated lead and copper levels in drinking water. Here’s expert advice on where and how to install a water softener. Most water softener owners’ manuals come with instructions on how to program the system, but you can use the information below as a general guide. Read all the directions that came with your water softener before you began the installation.
Water softeners last between 10 and 15 years, but they can last longer if you maintain them well. You can ensure that they last longer if you keep up the proper salt level so that it can run optimally. Try to clean your water softener at least once per year so that it doesn’t get clogged and stop working as well as it can. That means that you can expect to spend at least $300 on water softener salt per year to properly maintain it. You can spend as much as $600 per year to run and maintain a water softener to keep it working in order.
Do I need to soften my water?
Fill a clean pot or kettle with water and place it on a stove burner set to high. Allow the water to boil for a few minutes, then turn off the heat. Let the water cool, then use a spoon to scoop the sediment off the top of the water before transferring it to a clean container. You may want to run a hard water test first to note the kinds of minerals in your water. Some softening systems may be better at removing certain contaminants than others. Regenerate your softener with potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride .
It’s essential to have the proper settings for hard water treatment. If your hardness is set too low or too high, you might not get the proper soft water output for your household needs. To program water softener systems with Bluetooth control, switch on your phone’s Bluetooth and download the manufacturer’s Bluetooth app . Then, use the app to program the softener’s settings as you would on the control head.
How long does water softener installation take?
Salt-free water softeners are becoming more popular because they do not add sodium to water. However, salt-free water softeners are not as effective at removing minerals from water as salt-based water softeners. Home Depot’s high-end tier features a water softener, water filtration system, and reverse osmosis system.
If you've had your water tested for hard water, there are plenty of water softeners available on the market to purchase. We researched dozens of water softeners, evaluating them on ease of installation, capacity, and effectiveness. If less than half of the salt remains in the tank, you should replace it. A general rule of thumb is to check the salt level every 4–6 weeks, but the frequency may vary depending on the type of water-softening unit and your water hardness level.
What are the health effects of home softening?
Humidity and freezing could also damage the softener salt, which may hinder the performance of the unit. Providing you have a basic grasp of DIY and an ability to follow instructions, you should be able to install a water softener within 2-4 hours. The granite areas of the north, south and west do not contain the same minerals and so the water remains ‘soft’. For more information about water softeners, read my article containing everything you need to know about water softeners. Though you can perform this task by yourself, a professional will be able to handle it considerably faster. Alternatively, a professional can inspect the resin in your water softener during regular service visits.
Once the resin bed fills up with hardness ions, it must be regenerated . Salt is typically used in the regeneration process and restores the resin to a “clean” state so the ion exchange process can begin again. Salt mushing is a thick sludge that forms at the bottom of the brine tank. This sludge contains salt impurities that have not been completely dissolved in water. Salt mushing can clog the water intake valve in the brine tank as it builds, causing the tank to overflow. This salt sludge can also hinder resin beads from receiving adequate mineral ions.
Hard water can shorten the lifespan of your appliances, such as faucets, toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines. Most municipalities require a permit to install a water softener system, but that varies based on where you live. Size and type affect the installation cost because larger and more elaborate softeners take more time to install. Follow along as we explore each of the cost factors and go in-depth as to how they affect the final price. It costs an average of $9,000 to install a water softener through Home Depot. You can get a water softener with reverse osmosis from Home Depot for $4,500 or a full softener with reverse osmosis and a water filter for $6,500.

If you have only moderately hard water, you may be able to get by with regenerating your water softener every month or two. A water softener uses a process called ion-exchange to remove minerals from water. If you have hard water, you may want to consider installing a water softener. A water softener can make your water easier to use and can prolong the life of your plumbing. Home Depot can arrange for someone to service your water softener, but it will be through a third party in most cases. They typically choose a professional or service to repair and maintain your water softener if you contact them directly.