Discover everything you need to know about water softener installation by clicking on the following linked sections.
Water Softener Installation
Learn everything you need to know about a water softener installation
1. How Much Do Water Softeners Cost?
On average, a water softener can cost anywhere from $600 to $3,000 or more depending on the quality and size of softener.
Choosing the cheapest water softener isn't always your best deal. You will want to choose a water softener that is going to be able to do the job of softening your water and will also last a long time.
When deciding on the right type of water softener for you needs, you should take into consideration the following factors: your water hardness level and the amount of water you use.
Your water hardness level and amount of water you use should determine the size of water softener you get
Water Hardness Level
Different areas have different water hardness levels. The Waterloo Region, for example, has some of the hardest water in Canada.
Therefore in you live in this area or another area with very hard water, you will need a softener that is able to handle the high amounts of minerals found in your water.
A cheap, basic water softener will have trouble removing all of the minerals that you need it to and will probably end up wearing out faster than it should.
Water hardness level refers to how much dissolved calcium and magnesium there is in your water.
It is measured in grains per gallon, where 1 grain per gallon equals 17.1 milligrams per litre. If you want to see what your water hardness level is, you can check out the water hardness maps for the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
The following chart will also give you a rough idea of the water hardness level in your area. If you are using a private well, you should get your water hardness and iron tested separately in order to get an accurate hardness rating.
Source: Softener Buyers Guide
Amount of Water You Use
The number of people in your household and the amount of water you use ever day, should also be a factor that you consider when getting a water softener installation.
The more water you use, the larger the capacity of water softener you will need. To help you determine what size of water softener you would need for your home, check out our post "What Size Water Softener?”
2. How Much Does a Water Softener Installation Cost?
Water softener installation cost is another factor that you should consider when choosing a water softener.
You might think that you are getting a great deal on a softener that you purchase online or in at a big box store. However, if your water softener installation is additional, then you may end up paying more than you budgeted for.
Basic installation is FREE when you purchase your softener from WaterSmart
If you have to hire a plumber to install your water softener, you can expect to pay on average anywhere from $58 to $260 per hour. They may also add a trip or service fee to their call or charge a larger flat rate for the first hour (from $130 to $456) and then have a lower rate for any additional hours.
The cost to do your water softener installation will vary depending on the type of water softener you choose and how it connects to your water supply, because this will affect the amount of the labour required.
If you purchase your water softener from a company like WaterSmart, your basic installation is free and is done by our factory trained technicians.
3. Water Softener Installation: Professional vs DIY
The following chart summarizes the main advantages of getting a professional water softener installation and doing it yourself. Continue reading to learn more.
Advantages of Getting a Professional Water Softener Installation:
A) You Get the Benefit of a Professional's Specialized Knowledge
Professional water softener installers have the right education, training, experience, and knowledge to give you specialized service.
Even before the installation, they can help you choose the right water softener for your particular situation and needs.
They can test the hardness of your water and calculate the size and type of softener you will need by looking at how much water your family uses each day.
Professionals are usually on the cutting edge of innovations and new techniques so you can feel confident that you are getting the most up-to-date softener available.
A professional has the expertise to do the installation correctly
B) A Professional Will Know Exactly How to Do the Installation
Installing a water softener is not as simple of a task as it might sound. You don't just plug it in and you are good to go, especially if this is a new installation.
You may find that you need to cut pipes in order to align your water softener and water supply lines.
If you are not experienced doing this, or if you don't have the proper tools, then it is probably better that you get a professional water softener installation.
C) You Get Ongoing Assistance and Maintenance
If you purchase your water softener from a professional water softener dealer, you will have the advantage of ongoing support and maintenance. Over time, your water softener may need a replacement part or a repair.
Purchasing a softener from a water softener company means that you will have access to replacement parts and professionals who can diagnose any issues you may have and repair them for you.
If, however, you have purchased your water softener from a big box store, you may have difficulty finding replacement parts and may end up needing to buy another softener instead of simply repairing it.
If you purchase your softener from a water softener company, you will get ongoing support and replacement parts if you need them
D) A Professional Can Test Your Water for You
Not only will a professional water softener company test your water for its water hardness level, but they can also test for other minerals and metals, bacteria, nitrates, iron concentration, pH, total dissolved solids, etc.
This is especially important if you are on a well. A professional can let you know exactly what is in your water and how you should treat it. If you bring a sample of your water to WaterSmart, we’ll test it for free.
E) A Professional Will Know the Right Place for Your Water Softener Installation
A master plumber or professional installer will know the right place to put your new water softener. There are many factors to consider when deciding on the correct location of your water softener installation. These include:
Having power outlets nearby to plug your unit in
Deciding where the drain will go
Ensuring that the current drain will be adequate for your new softener
Checking that you have an approved drain/air gap and drain assembly
Deciding how high the drain can be
Making sure that the drain line is long enough to reach the drain
Making sure that location is level, dry and has at least 10 feet of piping between your softener and water heater
A professional will know the best location for your water softener installation
F) A Professional Can Guarantee Your Installation
A master plumber or certified installer is usually licensed, bonded, and insured. This can give you peace of mind that you won't have any surprises later.
If you do the installation yourself, you won't have the same guarantees that come with a professional installation.
If you make a mistake and do the installation incorrectly, then you will have to cover the cost of fixing the mistake.
G) You Won't Have to Spend the Time Required
A great advantage of having a professional do your water softener installation for you is that it will save you having to do it yourself.
Installing a water softener will take anywhere from a half day to full day depending on whether it is a new installation or just replacing an old unit. It will also depend on your skill level.
When you work with installers, you can use the time that it would take to install to do something else that is more pressing.
Relax and let a professional do the installation for you
H) A Professional Can Program Your Water Softener Properly
Water softeners can be a bit tricky to program correctly. If you want to make sure that you have the right settings for your water hardness levels and amount of water you use, then it is better to get a professional to do this for you.
A professional will know how to properly set up your unit so that it works as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Advantages of DIY Water Softener Installation
A) You Will Save Money
The biggest advantage of doing your own water softener installation is the cost savings. You will save on any installation charges by doing it yourself.
However, make sure that you have the skill to do the installation properly. If you make a mistake, you may find yourself having to pay more than the original installation would have cost you to fix your mistake.
On the other hand, some water softener companies will include free installation with the purchase of a water softener.
B) You Will Have the Satisfaction of Doing It Yourself
If you like to be able to do things yourself around your home and you have the time to tackle it, then installing your own water softener could be a good project for you.
You will need to know about plumbing to install your water softener yourself
4. Water Softener Installation: How It's Done
The professionals at WaterSmart know water softeners and the specific hard water challenges of the Waterloo Region, so we can quickly and easily install your water softener for you. Here’s how our water softener installation is done:
Step 1: We will deliver your new water softener to your home.
Step 2: We will Install the new water softener tank and hook it up to any necessary plumbing or we will replace an existing residential water softener in the same location within your home.
Step 3: We will set-up and program the softener unit so that it can handle the amount of water that your household uses and the hard water level of your area.
Step 4: We will remove and haul away the old water softener free of charge - unless it is a rental unit.
Step 5: We will test your new water softener to ensure that it is working properly.
Step 6: We will show you how the new unit works and how much salt to add on a regular basis
Step 7: We will thoroughly clean up our job site.
Looking for the best water softener installation near me? Contact WaterSmart.
Watersmart will professionally install your softener for you
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For Professional Water Softener Installations in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region - Trust WaterSmart
If you need water softener installation in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, you can trust WaterSmart.
We'd be happy to help you with any installation, water softener repair or water softener service on any type of water softener you have, at a reasonable rate.
Our expert, experienced plumbers will install your new water softener efficiently and at a price you can afford. If you purchase a water softener from us, your installation is free! Contact WaterSmart today for a free quote.
"I purchased a water softener through Watersmart and I was very pleased with the whole process. I did not know much about water softeners but the salesman helped inform me how they work and which unit would work best for me. The install went great without any surprises and the unit works great. Would recommend to anyone"
- Steve
