How to Get Started with a Water Softener in Austin, TX 78752

From hard water spots on dishes to harsh smells coming from water appliances, home owners living in Austin, TX 78752 area often experience water quality issues. Poor water quality can lead to buildup on sinks and showerheads, making them look discolored and dingy. Clogged pipes can also irritate noses with an off-putting smell and require expensive maintenance or repairs to clean. The best way to prevent these problems is to invest in a water softener.

A water softener is a device used to soften hard water, which is water that contains dissolved minerals such as magnesium and calcium. As these minerals vary from area to area, it is important to contact a local water softener provider for a consultation and analysis of your water quality. Installing a water softener in Austin can help reduce buildup in appliances and pipes and can also help save money in appliance repairs and replacements.

Choosing the right water softener for commuting Austin home owners can be a rather difficult task. Water softeners come in a variety of types, sizes, and levels of efficacy, and hiring a professional to install them can be even more expensive. This article will provide a guide to getting started with a water softener in the Austin area, from understanding water hardness to types of water softeners to professional recommendations and labor costs.

Understanding Water Quality and Hardness

Water hardness varies from area to area, so it's important to understand the type of water flowing in your Austin area home. To understand water hardness, you need to measure how much dissolved minerals is in the water.

For this task, you will need a TDS meter, which is a device that measures the Total Dissolved Solids content of incoming water. You can purchase a TDS meter online or rent one from a local hardware store. When taking readings, try to consider the geographic area of your home and the season of the year.

Readings higher than 250 ppm signify hard water. The following values are used to describe the levels of water hardness:

0-60 ppm: Soft

61-120 ppm: Moderately Soft

121-180 ppm: Moderately Hard

181-240 ppm: Hard

241-300 ppm: Very Hard

301+ ppm: Exceptionally Hard

Types of Water Softeners

Depending on the level of hardness in your water, you may need a certain type of water softener. The most basic models will filter out sediment and hardness to a degree; however, for very hard water with high levels of hardness, a more sophisticated water softener is needed. Below are the three common types of water softeners available:

Salt-Based Water Softener: The most common type of water softener, it works by exchanging hard ions with soft ions, thus removing the hardness. This type of water softener is most effective for those with very hard water.

Whole-House Water Softener: A whole-house water softener is the best option for those looking for overall improved water quality. This type of softener will remove hard water ions from the entire plumbing system, thus ensuring all appliances in your house receive clean, soft water.

Bypass Water Softener: A bypass water softener works by introducing soft water into the pipes, rather than hard water. The water is then circulated throughout the house. This type of water softener is effective for preventing buildup in your pipes and is a cost-effective option.

Professional Recommendations and Labor Costs

When choosing a water softener for your home, it is important to seek out professional advice to ensure you select the right model for your needs. The cost of installing a water softener varies depending on the type of softener, the size of the house, and the complexity of the installation process. Many times, a licensed plumber is necessary for water softener installation, as these devices involve specialized equipment. Plumbers may charge anywhere from $60-$100 per hour for work.

To find an experienced professional for water softening and installation in the Austin area, consider Abacus residential and commercial plumbers. With over 25 years of experience, their expert technicians can help you choose the right water softener for your Austin home, as well as perform efficient and reliable installation.

Water Softener

Austin TX

Plumbing Service