Do You Need a Water Softener?
Hardness is measured in grains per gallon, or GPG. Water above about 7 GPG is generally hard enough that softening is worth considering. Hardness varies across the area. Some utilities, like Calleguas Municipal Water District, deliver moderately hard water. Others, like Las Virgenes, run softer.
The only way to know your number is to test your tap. A free water analysis gives you the reading before you spend anything.
Signs You Need a Water Softener for Hard Water
- White scale on faucets, showerheads and glass shower doors
- Spots on dishes and glasses after the dishwasher
- Soap and shampoo that don't lather well
- A water heater that rumbles or pops
- A tankless water heater that needs descaling often
Water Softener Types and Costs
Salt-based ion exchange softener, $800 to $2,500 installed. Swaps calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium, so the water no longer leaves scale. It's the most effective option for hard water. You add salt every 1 to 3 months, depending on household size and water use.
Salt-free water conditioner, $500 to $1,800 installed. Changes the minerals so they're less likely to stick to surfaces, but doesn't remove them. It needs less upkeep, though it's less effective in demanding spots like tankless heat exchangers.
Softener plus filter, $1,500 to $4,000 installed. One system that deals with scale and chloramine together, for homes that have both problems.
All costs are confirmed in writing before work begins.
What a Softener Protects
- Tank water heaters: less sediment at the bottom of the tank and less scale on heating elements
- Tankless water heaters: less scale in the heat exchanger, which means fewer error codes and less frequent descaling
- Faucets and fixtures: less mineral buildup on valve seats and cartridges
- Dishwashers and washing machines: better cleaning and less scale on heating parts
Planning to switch to tankless? Pairing it with a softener helps it last. See our tankless installation page.
Water Softener Repair
When a softener stops working, it's usually one of three things. Salt bridging is a hard crust across the salt that stops the system from recharging. Resin failure happens after 10 to 15 years. A control valve failure stops the regeneration cycle. Most repairs run $150 to $600, depending on the problem and the system's age.
Quick check: run cold water for 30 seconds and test it with a hardness strip. If the reading is high while the softener is running, it isn't regenerating properly.
Softener or Filter?
A softener removes hardness, but it doesn't remove chloramine, sediment or odors. A whole house water filter handles those. Many homes use both.
