Water Softener Repair

To repair your water softener, contact a licensed plumber or a professional technician who specializes in repairing water softeners.

Repairing a water softening system can be an uncertain cost. It could be anything from $150 to $500, depending on what exactly is wrong, which model you have, and where you live. Of course, if you're in the middle of a major repair (and some folks have reported costs exceeding $1,000), you don't have the luxury of shopping around for service. But if you're not in a crisis, it's a good idea to call a few different places and ask for estimates. You might also check with friends who have similar systems to see if your problem is anything they experienced (and hopefully overcame at a reasonable price).

Whether or not it's worth fixing a water softener hinges on the unit's age, the nature and cost of the repairs, and the system's overall condition. If the water softener is fairly new and reasonable repair costs don't exceed the costs of a replacement, then the repairs should be made. But if the water softener is on its last legs and repair costs are exorbitant, it might be more cost-effective to just replace the system with a new model, especially since many water softeners today are much more energy-efficient than models from even a decade ago. And this brings up the point of considering your actual water quality and how vital a water softener is to the performance of your home when making this decision. Consulting with a pro will help you in deciding which way to go here.

Getting a water softener serviced can set you back a varying amount, contingent upon who you hire to do the job and how much maintenance the water softener actually requires. Most of the time, homeowners can expect to pay somewhere between 100 and 300 USD. If your water softener just needs some basic cleaning and inspecting, you might pay closer to the bottom end of that range. If the softener needs more extensive repairs, you're definitely looking at the higher end of that cost spectrum.

Certainly, a plumber can mend a water softener, particularly one with experience in such systems. Plumbers are generally well-versed in the sorts of problems that can arise with our water supply and the myriad plumbing fixtures that it serves. These problems often involve water softeners, which are not much different in principle from the badwater filters installed in many homes today. However, if the water softener in question requires anything more than a simple fix, an experienced handyman may be a better candidate for a complex, demanding task.

How long do water softeners last? The average life expectancy for water softeners is between 10 to 15 years. However, some high-end models can very well last two decades or longer and with good reason—servicing and caring for them like you would any other appliance can ensure that they keep working year after year.

Water softeners can be serviced by either licensed plumbers or certified water treatment specialists. Because a softener is a type of water system, it is crucial to select a pro with experience in both water systems and water softeners specifically, in order to achieve the best diagnostic and repair outcomes.

Usually, it takes 2 to 4 hours to replace a water softener. This can vary of course with the nature of the installation—if it is complex, if there is poor accessibility to the old unit, or if the plumber just is not that experienced yet.

Check for indications that the water softener is malfunctioning. Some of these indications resemble the symptoms of hard water. For example, does soap seem to have a hard time lathering? If it's not doing so, that's a sign that your water heater could be on the fritz. Another sign is unusual or loud noises coming from the unit while it's operating. Also, the salt in the brine tank should be less than a month old and in a fairly dry state. If your brine tank salt appears excessively damp, or if you can't remember when the last time was that your salt was topped off, those are two more signs that you're looking at a potentially faulty unit.

If you possess the right tools and knowledge, you can indeed perform water softener maintenance on your own. Even so, it’s best to leave some tasks to the experts. Since continuous use of your water softener can lead to calcium carbonate buildup, it performs two maintenance tasks that are a bit beyond the ken of an average homeowner. Each year, or even more often if your water softener is working at peak capacity, it's best to have the water softener professionally serviced.