Water Softener Companies Near Me: 6 Key Things to Look For
In this blog, you’ll learn:
- Choosing the best water softener companies near me is crucial to your overall experience.
- Reading reviews, asking for references and speaking with a company are excellent ways to begin assessing your best option.
- You should look for companies that offer a range of water softeners, NSF-certified products, additional solutions, resources and water testing.
Luckily, this blog is here to equip you with detailed information on the six most crucial aspects you should seek in local water softener companies. When you discover companies that meet all these criteria, you can rest assured that they’ll deliver a top-notch product and exceptional customer service.
Before we discuss the six things you should look for, let’s take a moment to learn more about Angel Water’s water softeners by clicking the button below. Our water softeners are known for their high quality and efficiency, making them a top choice for homeowners in Barrington, IL, or West Palm Beach, FL.
Why Would You Be Searching For “Water Softener Companies Near Me?”
Before we delve into what you should be looking for, let’s take a second to answer one crucial question: why would you be searching online for “water softener companies near me” to begin with?
There are many reasons someone may need a water softener company. A few of the most common examples include:
- Looking to purchase a new water softener system
- Need someone to repair their current water softener
- Thinking about upgrading their system but aren’t sure
- Bought a new house that doesn’t already have a water softener
- Moved to a new area and needs a reliable water filtration company
- Researching options for healthier, cleaner water
Did you know that an astounding 90% of American homes have some level of hard water? Water hardness is generally determined on a scale from moderately hard to very hard. Those with hardness at the lower end may not have as many noticeable problems, but their health and home could still suffer in some ways. For example, many people are affected by brittle hair and dry skin when consistently exposed to hard water while showering or washing their hands.
Other side effects of hard water might include:
- Stains in your sink or bathtub
- Calcium buildup on plumbing fixtures
- Foul smell emanating from sinks, showers, toilets, etc.
- Cloudy dishes
- Needing to use more soap for washing laundry, dishes and yourself
With so many downsides, it’s no wonder many people invest in water softeners for their homes. These appliances work by reducing water hardness, thus decreasing the nasty side effects experienced throughout your home.
6 Key Things to Look for In Water Softener Companies Near Me
You’ll want to research the best water softener companies near me and identify the top choice among your local options to see the best results. Ensuring a company has the six key things below is a great way to decide!
1. Excellent Reputation
The first thing you should do is assess a company’s reputation. There are a few ways to do this:
Read Online Reviews
You can find reviews in several places online, and we highly encourage you to read at least a handful of them before you hire any company. Why? The general experience of previous customers is the best indicator of the type of service you’ll receive.
If reviews are primarily positive, you can feel confident in your final choice among water softener companies near me. If reviews are mostly negative, we suggest steering clear! Of course, it bears mentioning that a single negative review doesn’t mean much. You’ll want to look at the overall rating and the tone of written reviews.
Talk to People You Know
Would you rather speak to people you know than rely solely on what strangers on the internet have to say? No worries! Don’t be shy about asking around. Chances are high that you know at least a few people who have a water softener system in their home or business.
Try asking your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors for recommendations. You may find it helpful to note which companies are being recommended and which you’re being told to stay away from.
Speak to the Company
Of course, you can also assess the company yourself and make your own conclusions about its reputation. We recommend pairing speaking to the company yourself with at least one of the other options above, but you can do whatever you feel most comfortable with!
Your conversation can be over the phone, through email or in person at their physical location. Again, do what you’re most comfortable with. During the conversation, you’ll be primarily assessing their customer service to determine the following:
- Are they actively listening to your concerns?
- Can the representative answer your water softener questions confidently?
- Do they answer your questions willingly, or are they short with you?
- Are they friendly and personable?
- Do you feel like you can trust this company?
2. Range of Solutions
You’ll want to find a company that offers a range of solutions to suit various needs. Not only is this convenient, but it means you can upgrade or downgrade systems later while sticking with the same reliable company.
Various Water Softeners
There are numerous water softeners, and no one option will fit every household’s needs. We highly recommend researching different brands and shopping around before settling on an option. At Angel Water, our water softener experts are happy to assist you in selecting the right one.
Be wary of using any water softener companies near me that only carry one model or brand. This can severely limit your options, and what is being offered may not be the right fit.
Additional Water Filtration Solutions
We already talked about how most homes need water softeners. But did you know that many homes also need water filtration systems? Many potential toxins could lurk in your family’s drinking water, and a whole-house water filter or reverse osmosis system can help keep your family safe.
It’s most convenient to use a company offering these other solutions. Whether you need a water filtration system now or in the future, using the same company you use for your water softener is helpful.
Other Possible Products and Services Available
A few other products and services you may want your potential water softener company to offer include:
- Salt for your softener system
- Water testing (read more on this below)
- Chlorine injection systems (often needed for well water)
- Professional installation by state-licensed plumbers (It’s the law in Illinois!)
- Ongoing maintenance (and repair, when necessary) for your water softener
3. NSF-Certification
Water softeners certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) are guaranteed to be the best possible options on the market. Why? To be NSF-certified, a product’s claims must hold up to hours of rigorous testing and prove true.
What’s Required for Certification
The NSF categorizes and independently tests every product claim, including efficiency ratings and reducing hardness, barium and radium. Once each model’s claims and flow rate are verified (or not), they’re publicly accessible in the NSF Products and Services Listings online.
Of course, NSF-certified water softeners are often more expensive than alternatives. So, some people may be tempted to save a few bucks by choosing something else. Unfortunately, that’s not always a great idea.
Purchasing Products that Aren’t Certified
Uncertified products offer zero guarantees about whether their claims are true or how well the system works. This isn’t to say that all uncertified water softeners won’t work. But this does mean you have no way to know for sure. With such a significant investment, the guarantee of efficiency is well worth the extra money.
4. Certified Plumbers
Your water softener is supposed to protect your home’s appliances and pipes by reducing the risk of buildup. It also protects your family’s health and well-being by eradicating issues like brittle hair and dry skin.
Would you trust that task to any random person? No, of course not! That’s why you should always choose water softener companies near me that only use certified plumbers to install and maintain your equipment.
However, the reasoning behind using certified plumbers goes much deeper than that.
Did you know that things can get bad fast if the person installing or maintaining your water softener doesn’t know what they’re doing? They could introduce bacteria, viruses and other illnesses into your plumbing system – which feeds straight into your family’s drinking water!
Thankfully, Angel Water only hires licensed plumbers to perform installations. We don’t want to risk your family getting sick!
5. Abundant Resources
Knowledge is power. Before you buy your water softener, it’s crucial to understand things like:
- What water hardness is
- Why you want to soften your water
- What you should look for in a water softener
- How you can determine the best water softener companies near me
- What maintenance looks like
- How you can determine your water’s hardness and overall quality
- And more
A water softener company that provides customers with an abundance of resources shows three things:
- They’re knowledgeable on the topic of water softeners and filtration systems
- You can trust them because they’re providing you with transparent sources
- They actually care about you, your family and your home
Since you found your way here, you already know that Angel Water provides abundant resources for our customers. In addition to our extensive blog library, we also have a YouTube channel and a dedicated water resources page on our website. We encourage you to browse these educational resources to learn more!
6. Offers Comprehensive Water Testing
Do you know what’s lurking in your home’s water supply? If you haven’t had comprehensive water testing done inside your home, then you don’t know for sure.
Why You Need a Water Test
Whether you have city or well water, you need a test. This is the only way to determine how hard your water is, which is one of several considerations when selecting the right system for your home. But, more importantly, a water test can alert you to other potential toxins.
Toxins like:
- Radium 226/228 and barium, which are known carcinogens
- Bacteria, which can make your family sick
- Debris, which could be a health hazard
- Chemicals, which can be lethal in large doses
These contaminants can come from industrial waste, agricultural seepage, environmental products (like pest sprays) or natural elements like rocks.
How the Process Works
Getting your water tested with Angel Water is simple. Schedule an appointment online, and one of our water experts will come to your home. They’ll conduct a thorough water test and inform you of their findings. Then, they can recommend which water filtration products are best for your home’s unique water. Plus, they can recommend the best water softener based on your home’s hardness levels.
You Can Stop Searching For “Water Softener Companies Near Me”!
When making a significant investment in your health and home, you want to find the best option. Thankfully, if your search for “water softener companies near me” leads you to a company that checks all six boxes discussed above, you can feel confident you’ve made the best choice!
At Angel Water, we proudly offer all six key things you want! Take the next step towards improving your water quality by scheduling an appointment with Angel Water in Barrington, IL, or West Palm Beach, FL.
Want Softer Water? Schedule an Appointment Now!
Find out how a water softener can help protect your home from hard water damage. Schedule an appointment with our water specialists today to explore the best solutions for your home.
