How To Replace a Water Softener

Choosing the right type of high-quality, durable water softener for your home should help ensure you can enjoy soft water for many years to come. However, regardless of the system you have, at some point the time will come to replace it.

Here’s a quick overview of the process: To replace a water softener, you must remove your existing system, select and position the appropriately sized replacement, make plumbing system and drain line changes if required, perform any additional setup functions, and then troubleshoot as necessary.

However, many of these steps involve potentially costly risks if you’re trying to do this on your own — and, if done improperly, some could potentially damage your home or cause injury. For this reason, water softener replacement is best left to the professionals.

Here’s a closer look at how to replace a water softener.

The Basics of Water Softener Replacement

Numerous factors impact the water softener replacement process, including the source of your water supply, the setup of your existing softener and plumbing system, the water hardness level in your home, your water usage and more. When you choose Culligan, you’ll work with a local water expert who can tailor the process to your needs so you don’t have to lift a finger.

The basic elements of installing a new water softener system include:

#1: Site Visit and Water Testing

According to Culligan Problem Water Specialist Gary Falkengren, the replacement process may begin with an expert visiting your home. “Sometimes a site visit is appropriate to evaluate where the system is now, if you want to keep it there and whether other plumbing changes need to be made.”

Falkengren also explains that you might need to have a water test depending on the source of your water. “If it’s a municipality, your Culligan expert will likely already have a good idea of the water quality range,” he says. “If it’s well water, they would do some preliminary water testing.”

#2: Personalized Water Softener Recommendations

The results of your professional water test will clarify your home’s water hardness level. Hardness levels and daily water consumption are two main factors in determining what size water softener you need.

Your Culligan expert can explain these numbers and provide personalized water softener system recommendations. If the test also identified water quality issues like nitrates or hydrogen sulfide, your expert can also recommend water filtration systems that work with your softener.* Some softeners even have additional functions to address iron and chlorine.

Browse filter solutions that complement soft water.

#3: Replacement Water Softener Installation

When you’ve chosen your new water softener, the best approach is to schedule a professional installation. This includes transporting, placing, hooking up and programming the system.

“In most cases, there’s going to be some repiping and replumbing involved,” says Falkengren. “[If you already have a Culligan softener], your Culligan team would already be aware of your home’s plumbing, so it could be a pretty smooth transition to a new system.”

#4: System Removal

When you work with Culligan, your local experts can haul away your existing softener, even if it’s not a Culligan system. That means you won’t need to worry about disconnecting, maneuvering or disposing of your old water softener.

#5: Troubleshooting and Maintenance Review

The final step of the water softener replacement process is testing and learning about your new system. Your installers will explain how to change settings, reprogram the system and check for basic issues, but you can also review your owner’s manual for instructions on maintenance requirements like salt replacement or cleaning the salt storage tank.

Keep in mind that regular maintenance can extend your softener’s lifetime. You can rely on high-quality systems for between 10 and 15 years, sometimes more, before you need to think about replacement again.

The Value of Professional Support

Water softener replacement and installation require electrical and plumbing expertise, professional tools and heavy lifting. This means the process is not only difficult but potentially costly for untrained DIY users.

According to Falkengren, top challenges include:

• Getting the right softener
• Preventing damage during transport and placement
• Having the system installed, set up and serviced correctly

“If you’re a DIY installer, you’re on your own,” he explains. “You don’t have the local support you likely need.”

However, the value of professional support goes beyond preventing issues. Your local Culligan experts and installers can also provide insight, advice and personalized recommendations that will help you get more out of your new system. They’re also available for troubleshooting or repairs — and smart water softeners can even send notifications to your phone when service is necessary.

When To Replace Your Water Softener

To maintain a steady supply of softened water throughout your home, Falkengren says water softeners generally need replacement after about 10 years on average. “Some Culligan systems are in place for 20 or 30 years,” he says. “But it’s like any major appliance: 10 years from now, there’s probably going to be better technology and efficiency.”

However, there are some cases where you may need to replace your water softener sooner. In these cases, it’s best to work with your local Culligan expert to identify underlying problems and select a replacement system.

Can You Repair a Water Softener?

If you want to repair instead of replace your old water softener, it’s good to know that you can fix certain problems yourself. For example, if you notice reduced efficiency or performance, you may have brine tank issues like salt bridges. Read your owner’s manual for support in fixing and preventing such problems by using the correct salt and cleaning the tanks as necessary.

Other issues are more difficult to identify and address. “The water chemistry portion is abstract and you might not fully understand the system. So without the proper training, it’s difficult to get the right diagnosis and parts,” says Falkengren. “There could be a lot of contributing issues, and the average consumer can’t test the water and diagnose a system without that underlying familiarity that comes from doing this every day.”

On top of that, attempting a repair can cause additional problems. “One of the biggest risks of working on a water softener is getting it back together right so it doesn’t leak. Given the potential for costly damage from a flood, that risk generally doesn’t offset the cost of professional service.”

The Benefits of Water Softener Replacement

If your system is reaching the end of its lifespan or causing issues, a water softener replacement is often a good choice for your home, budget and water usage. For example, newer systems are designed to use salt more efficiently and track your water consumption to help you set conservation goals. These systems may also come with advanced smart features like:

• Smartphone apps: Monitor and manage your water softener from anywhere with Wi-Fi connectivity.
• Remote bypass options: Decide where and when to use softened water so you’re not wasting it watering the lawn — all right from your phone.
• Softness level controls: Decide how soft you’d like your water to be and dial up or down as desired.
• Automated notifications: Get alerts when your softener needs salt replacement or expert service.
• Leak detection: Your softener can detect possible leaks around your tank and in nearby water-using appliances.

One of the biggest signs of a water softener problem is the return of hard water symptoms. Replacing an old system will protect your home from these issues, including:

Cleaning Challenges

Hard water can cause mineral buildup called limescale, which is difficult to remove from fixtures, sinks, showers and more. You may also notice that cleaning supplies don’t work as well overall and that your laundry comes out of the wash faded or stuff.

Reduced Water Pressure

The calcium and magnesium responsible for water hardness can build up inside your pipes and reduce water pressure in your whole home.

Appliance Problems

Calcium and magnesium can also build up inside your water-using appliances. This reduces lifespan and impacts performance and efficiency.

Personal Care Issues

Hard water might make it harder to get your soap to lather. The calcium and magnesium can also impact hair, skin and nail health, leading to dryness and discomfort.

Learn More About Water Softening

Water softener replacement is best left to professionals. Attempting this process yourself can be costly and may damage your home or lead to injury. The same is true for most repairs; although you can troubleshoot some issues at home, others require a call to your local water expert.

With Culligan, replacing a water softener can be quick and easy — even if your current system isn’t a Culligan product. Schedule your free, in-home water test and consultation today to get started.

*Contaminants may not be present in your water.