Water softener replacement
A replacement is a chance to fix the sizing and plumbing mistakes the old unit came with. Here's what to think about.
Softeners last for years, but control valves, resin and tanks all wear out, and hard, mineral-heavy water speeds that along. When a unit needs repeated repairs, parts are no longer made, or it never kept up with your water, replacing it is usually the cleaner fix. A common case around Las Cruces is a house bought with a softener already in the garage: nobody knows how old it is, how it was set, or whether it's still doing anything.
When does replacement make sense?
- The unit is old and needs a major valve or resin repair
- Parts for the brand or model are hard to find
- Your household or water use has changed a lot
- You moved from a well to a water system, or the other way
- The resin tank or brine tank is cracked or leaking
What should change with the new unit?
Start with a fresh water test, not the settings on the old control head. Then size the new softener to your hardness and usage. A replacement is also the time to fix old installation problems: no bypass, a drain line without an air gap, a unit baking in direct sun or exposed to freezing, or outdoor lines that never needed softened water.
Salt or salt-free?
A traditional ion-exchange softener removes hardness minerals, and it's what most people mean by a softener. You'll also see salt-free "conditioners" sold to reduce scale without removing the minerals. They work differently and don't produce soft water in the usual sense. Ask exactly what a product does, and what independent certification it carries, before you choose.
Potassium instead of sodium?
NDSU Extension notes potassium chloride can stand in for salt if you want to limit sodium, but it costs more and the softener needs roughly 10 percent more of it per regeneration. Ask whether the new unit can be set up for it.
What happens to the old unit?
Ask whether hauling away the old tanks is included in the quote.
The water treatment company prices the job once it knows your water, your plumbing and what equipment fits. We don't quote prices, and any number you hear over the phone before someone has tested the water and seen the install spot is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How can I tell how old my softener is?
Look for a sticker or serial number on the control head or tank. The maker or a technician can often date it from that.
Can a new softener use the existing plumbing?
Often, if the loop is in good shape and in a sensible spot. The installer may suggest changes to the bypass, drain or location.
Related services
- Water softener installation
- Water softener repair
- Whole-house filtration
- Reverse osmosis drinking water
More background: Las Cruces hard water guide.
Crusty faucets, cloudy glasses or a softener that gave up?
Call the number above and a local water treatment company will help you sort out what your water needs.