How Expert Water Softener Installation Will Make Your Life Easier

Water softener installation is only as overwhelming as you make it. If you go in not knowing what to expect and without expert support, we’re not going to sugarcoat it: It’ll be miserable and probably won’t go to well.

Fortunately, you won’t go into this process uninformed and uncertain. Not after you read this blog, anyway!

We’ve put together this guide to show you how our installation process can take the burden off your shoulders.

And who are we? We’re a local company with over 50 years of experience installing water softeners for homeowners throughout Chicagoland and Southeast Florida. You can learn more about the water softener services we provide at the link below.

Here’s what you can expect before, during and after water softener installation from our expert team.

Receive Expert Help Before Water Softener Installation

Expert water softener installation goes beyond putting the system in your home. It starts well before that when you’re in the deliberation phase. In this stage, you know you want a water softener but you’re not sure what the best path forward is.

Our team has helped many people with this part of the process and can help answer your questions as well.

Here are the answers to some common questions people have during this phase.

Who Can Install a Water Softener?

You can install your own water softener, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best idea. DIY installation may be okay for smaller softeners or under-the-counter systems, but for whole house water softeners, you’ll be much safer hiring a professional.

The reason for this is these larger water softeners need to meet certain plumbing codes. And if you’re not aware of or experienced with plumbing requirements, you could risk damaging your plumbing system and putting your family’s health at risk.

Furthermore, water softener installation sometimes also requires electrical work, which could be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Who Installs Water Softener Systems?

Many companies provide water softener installation, but you shouldn’t trust just any company. A company worthy of your trust only lets licensed plumbers install water softener systems.

Only a licensed plumber has the knowledge and experience necessary to install your system to meet all plumbing codes. As a result, the softener won’t threaten the structural integrity of your plumbing system or put your family’s health at risk. Unlicensed installation can’t guarantee this protection.

At Angel Water, we only employ licensed plumbers to install all of our softeners. Our installation team is well aware of the local plumbing requirements in Illinois and Florida. We meet all those requirements to give customers in those regions the safest and softest water possible.

How Do You Choose the Right System for Your Home?

Of course, it’s one thing to find the right company to install your softener. But finding the right system is its own battle. Our team will help you win the fight in this arena too.

We do this by giving you all the info you need to make an informed decision about your system, starting with a simple water test.

We’ll test the hardness of the water in your home and check for other contaminants like radium 226/228 and barium, which some water softeners can remove. Then we’ll help you understand the results with a visual demonstration of what’s happening in your water.

Beyond helping you understand your water, we’ll also recommend the best water softeners for your needs. We’ll explain which systems are best suited for you based on the hardness of your water and the size of your household. If we find radium 226/228 or barium in your water, we can also recommend systems that remove those contaminants.

Enjoy a Hassle-Free Installation Process

Once you know the system you want and that you want our team to install it, the next steps are simple for you. All you need to do is call us and schedule an installation appointment. A licensed plumber will arrive at your home on time and ready to get your system up and running.

Here’s what you can expect during the installation:

Where Does a Water Softener Need to Be Installed?

You’re probably wondering where your water softener will go. When replacing an old system, the new unit will go right where the old one was. But if you’re getting a water softener for the first time, the answer will depend on several factors.

First, you’ll want the softener located as closely as possible to your water supply’s main point of entry. Usually, water comes into the home at ground level or underground. Many of the homes we serve in cities like West Palm Beach, FL, don’t have basements. In these cases, the water will enter the home at ground level.

For homes with well water, this point of entry will be near the water pressure tank. For homes with city water, it will be near the water meter. Your other water treatment equipment, such as water heaters and water filters, will also likely be located near this entry point.

We will need to install the softener so that it treats water before it gets to the water heater. This way, the water heater won’t be damaged by the excess sediment from hard water.

Other factors we’ll keep in mind when locating your softener include proximity to a drain and the proper power source. The area should also not experience too much temperature fluctuation because that can damage the system.

We will take all these factors into account as we work with you to find the best spot for your system.

What will the Licensed Plumber Do?

The next step in the process is to sit back and enjoy as our team properly installs your system. If you have an old softener in place, we will remove it and get rid of it for you before installing the new one.

Once the new softener is in place, we’ll introduce you to your new water softener and explain everything we did. We’ll show you each part of the system and how to operate and monitor it. You can ask us any questions and get all the assistance you need to get started on the right foot.

How Long Does It Take to Install a Water Softener?

The nice thing about professional water softener installation is it doesn’t take too long. A licensed plumber has the expertise necessary to correctly set up any system in about 1.5-2 hours.

This short timeframe is ideal for many homeowners since a home’s water supply must be off for the duration of the process. Because of this, you will want to plan to ensure the water’s unavailability won’t inconvenience you.

Expect Great Results Post Installation

Our team’s job isn’t done once we’ve installed your system. Instead, we’re committed to ensuring you get the soft water you deserve long after we’ve left your home.

We’ll set you up for success by answering these important questions about your newly installed water softener:

How Do I Know My Water Softener is Working Properly?

A clear sign your water softener is working correctly is if you’re enjoying the many benefits of soft water. For example, it won’t dry out your skin and hair or leave a white film on your dishes and showerheads.

To ensure your new system will provide those benefits, we will perform a couple of tests before leaving your home. First, we will run water through the softener and test it to make sure it’s soft. We’ll also check that each part of the softener works as it should.

Next, we’ll perform a full home plumbing inspection and check the water’s softness throughout the home. If we find anything preventing soft water from reaching any of your water fixtures, we’ll fix it so that you can enjoy soft water anywhere in your home.

How Long Does It Take to Get Soft Water After Installing a Water Softener?

You won’t have entirely soft water throughout your home right away. Instead, it will take 48 hours after installation for all your water to be soft. The reason for this has to do with your water heater.

Your water heater collects water inside its tank and warms it before sending it to your home. So, it will still have a tank full of hard water when we install your softener. So, it’ll take a couple of days before you use up all that old hard water and only the newly softened water from your softener remains. But once it does, then all your hot water will be soft.

Of course, the cold water in your home doesn’t run through your water heater. So, any cold water you use will be nice and soft right away.

How Much Water Softener Salt Do I Need?

You will need to periodically refill your water softener with salt. But the good news is you won’t need to do that right after we install your softener. Instead, we will fill your system with enough salt to last a few months.

How much water softener salt you will need to put in and how often will depend on the size of your system and the amount of water you use. Our team will help you determine an effective salt replacement schedule.

One of the biggest issues homeowners run into is forgetting to replace salt. In these instances, the water becomes hard again, and it takes a while to get it back to its ideal level of softness.

To keep this from happening, you will want to stick to the salt replacement schedule. One way to do this is to set up calendar reminders for yourself. There are also some high-tech softeners from top brands like EcoWater that will let you know when their salt levels are low on your smartphone.

Our team can also help ease the burden of remembering to pick up those heavy salt bags by delivering them to your home. We also have a drive-thru at our location in Barrington, IL, where you can get salt brought out to your car!

What Maintenance Will My Water Softener Need?

Quality water softeners require very little maintenance on your part. But you will still need to service your system as often as the manufacturer requires to maintain warranty coverage. Typically, this will be at least once a year.

You can hire our team to handle this for you if you don’t want to do it yourself. All you need to do is set up an appointment, and we’ll come and perform all the necessary maintenance tasks. Or, if you’d rather do it yourself, we can give you the tools and resources you need to do it right!

You will also want to keep an eye out for warning signs indicating your system needs maintenance. Some of the most common red flags include:

• White crust on your faucets and showerheads
• Dull and frizzy hair
• The washing machine discoloring your clothes
• White gunk in your dishwasher or water heater
• Your softener not using salt
• Salty-tasting water

If you notice any of these problems, you can call us for emergency service, and we’ll be there as soon as possible.

Looking for a Licensed Plumbing Company to Install Your Softener?

Our mission is to eliminate stress during every step of the water softener installation process. We can help you find the right softener, correctly install it for you and give you the support you need for long-lasting soft water!

So, if you need a water softener installed in Chicagoland cities like Elgin or Hoffman Estates or in Southeast Florida towns like Delray or Boca Raton, let us know! You can call 847-382-7800 or visit the link below to schedule a free consultation.