Water Softener Services
What is A Water Softener, and Why Would You Need One?
Why We Offer Water Softeners
Connect with our Water Softener Experts
We offer water softening systems to the Austin and Round Rock areas because we know that these systems are important for maintaining your home’s piping system as well as the health of your family.
If you are considering water softener replacement or installation, but are unsure of where to start, call an expert at Green Leaf HVAC and Plumbing. Your satisfaction is our main concern and we go as far as we must to make that happen. Our certifications extend beyond what the state of Texas requires because we want to be ready for anything. We pride ourselves on being able to work on any kind of water softener. If your system is irreparable, we go the extra distance to help you find the best replacement.
Edsel came out on Sunday, good communication and texted he'd be here. When he got here, he confirmed my suspicions that it was a capacitor which is a very simple repair/installation (for lack of a better analogy, it is loosely equivalent to replacing a fuse in a car...not too hard)...and he said it would be about $200, but he may be able to discount it for me somewhat. Having suspected it was the capacitor, I had already ordered one the previous night and it was to be delivered to my house via Amazon...it cost $17. So I told him I'd wait for it to arrive and install it myself instead of paying a $180 markup on a $17 part. He said OK, but since he didn't install it and did not have a "sample" or "working' capacator...he could not check the rest of the system...so that was the end of the service call...fair enough I guess, but it would have been nice to have the rest of the system checked. So he then said the service call was $209...so I tried to remember from my original phone call with the dispatcher...and the cost should be $179...so Edsel accepted that and I paid him in cash....but kinda felt like it had been a price negotiation...which I wasn't expecting.
The following day I get an e-mail from Green Leaf with invoice for $179...but it doesn't say paid...so I call them, and the lady who answered at first asked how I'd like to pay...I said I did...and she checked and verified it...and agreed and sent me a e-mail with a "paid" invoice. She also confirmed that the capacitor part is normally priced at between $150-$180...which is still about a 10x markup (remember, you've already paid for a labor/service call), but she did say that it is covered by 1 year parts and service warranty.
Final Analysis: EXCELLENT RESPONSE TIME and Edsel did seem very qualified at his job.
COST/PRICING: Seemed to be always a negotiation that I had to be aware of...and I get that they need to make money...but up to you whether you think the parts 10x markup is excessive or not...for me, I think it was since a service call had already been paid for.
Honest, trustworthy and get the job done right!
Highly recommend 😊
Edsel came out on Sunday, good communication and texted he'd be here. When he got here, he confirmed my suspicions that it was a capacitor which is a very simple repair/installation (for lack of a better analogy, it is loosely equivalent to replacing a fuse in a car...not too hard)...and he said it would be about $200, but he may be able to discount it for me somewhat. Having suspected it was the capacitor, I had already ordered one the previous night and it was to be delivered to my house via Amazon...it cost $17. So I told him I'd wait for it to arrive and install it myself instead of paying a $180 markup on a $17 part. He said OK, but since he didn't install it and did not have a "sample" or "working' capacator...he could not check the rest of the system...so that was the end of the service call...fair enough I guess, but it would have been nice to have the rest of the system checked. So he then said the service call was $209...so I tried to remember from my original phone call with the dispatcher...and the cost should be $179...so Edsel accepted that and I paid him in cash....but kinda felt like it had been a price negotiation...which I wasn't expecting.
The following day I get an e-mail from Green Leaf with invoice for $179...but it doesn't say paid...so I call them, and the lady who answered at first asked how I'd like to pay...I said I did...and she checked and verified it...and agreed and sent me a e-mail with a "paid" invoice. She also confirmed that the capacitor part is normally priced at between $150-$180...which is still about a 10x markup (remember, you've already paid for a labor/service call), but she did say that it is covered by 1 year parts and service warranty.
Final Analysis: EXCELLENT RESPONSE TIME and Edsel did seem very qualified at his job.
COST/PRICING: Seemed to be always a negotiation that I had to be aware of...and I get that they need to make money...but up to you whether you think the parts 10x markup is excessive or not...for me, I think it was since a service call had already been paid for.
Honest, trustworthy and get the job done right!
Highly recommend 😊
What is A Water Softener, and Why Would You Need One?
How This System Helps Remove Unwanted Chemicals From Your Water
A water softener system provides balance for your water system. It keeps things flowing longer, better, and more efficiently. Sometimes the local community takes responsibility for ensuring the quality of water coming from our taps. More commonly, however, it is on the homeowner to monitor their water quality and install the necessary equipment to ensure water safety.
One major threat to your water quality is hard water. Hard water can damage your pipes, your skin, and even your health if not properly monitored and treated.
First things first—you need to understand what hard water is before you can truly appreciate the benefits of having a water softener. Hard water is simply defined as any natural source of groundwater that contains dissolved minerals like magnesium, iron, and calcium. While these minerals do not necessarily pose any health risks, they do tend to leave behind deposits called limescale. You can physically see this buildup on your sink faucet or around the water dispenser on your refrigerator. It is also the reason why your clear glasses change color over time and appear to be dirty. These deposits will also build up in pipes and other surfaces that come into contact with the hard water over time. This can lead to clogged pipes and reduced efficiency in appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. Even your refrigerator could be at risk.
When it comes to water softeners, there are a lot of choices. Most of them do the same job but have slight differences in features. The main thing to know about water softeners is that they fall into two categories: Timed models and demand-control models. Timed models operate on a preset schedule and do not regenerate outside of that time. They do not take into account how much water remains. The danger of timed water softeners is having too much or not enough soft water. They work well in households that use water consistently but can be wasteful when water is left over. On the other hand, you are left stranded with hard water when you run out early.
Demand-control models, however, only regenerate when they reach capacity. They use sensors to track how much water is used and only restore when needed. These systems work better for homes that use water inconsistently. They are also the most cost-efficient water-softening system. Timed models clean your water when it is not dirty. This wastes water, salt, and electricity. Demand control systems save you money because they only soften the water when it reaches a certain capacity.
Having a water softener installed in your home offers numerous benefits. For one thing, it will make cleaning your house easier. You won’t have to worry about the accumulation of limescale in your sinks and showers. It can be very difficult and time-consuming to remove this buildup. The softened water will also simplify cleaning since the soap will have an easier time lathering up without the minerals. Additionally, you will use less soap because the softened water doesn’t require as much detergent or cleaning products to get things clean.
Softened water is also gentler on your hair, skin, and clothes—so you may end up saving money on personal care products as well as laundry detergent! In addition, having softened water can help extend the life of your appliances like dishwashers and washing machines since they won’t be exposed to hard minerals that could corrode their mechanics over time. If you still do not believe that all of this is reason enough to invest in a water softener system for your Round Rock or North Austin area home, consider that softened water helps reduce energy costs. Water softeners can do this by decreasing the energy lost in hot-water pipes. So not only will you enjoy many practical benefits from having softened water but you might even see a reduction in energy bills too!
Water Softener Installation FAQ
Are Water Softeners Safe For Your Home?
Water softeners are completely safe for your home. They reduce the amount of chlorine in your water which can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. They also reduce the amount of soap you need to use when cleaning dishes or laundry because the soap lathers more effectively with softer water. Additionally, a well-maintained device requires minimal maintenance and won’t have any negative impacts on other systems in your house.
Installing a water softener has many benefits for homeowners in Round Rock and North Austin. Not only will it make dishes easier to clean and skin softer to touch but it will also extend the life of fixtures and appliances by preventing mineral buildup over time. Softened water also tastes better than hard water which may encourage everyone in your household to drink more water throughout the day. Staying hydrated has its list of countless health benefits, so there’s no good reason NOT to get a water softener installed in your home.
Water softener systems are a common sight in many homes, but how do they work? At their most basic, water softeners work by exchanging the minerals in hard water for sodium ions. They do this to prevent the build-up of limescale in water pipes and appliances. A process called ion exchange is used to remove minerals from your incoming water supply. As the hard water enters the system, it passes through a bed of negatively charged plastic beads, which attract the positively charged minerals in the water like iron and calcium. When this happens, sodium ions replace them on the bead surface. The softened water then passes through to your home and all those pesky minerals are removed from the equation—giving you cleaner drinking water, softer clothes after washing, and more efficient cleaning appliances.
There are many benefits to installing a water softener system in your home. For starters, the performance of your appliances will improve because there won’t be any mineral buildup. You will use less soap when washing dishes or clothes because soap lathers better with soft water. You will experience better-tasting tap water without the strange metallic flavor! The damage to plumbing fixtures will be reduced. That is because less mineral buildup means less chance of corrosion or clogs. There are too many benefits of installing a water softener system in your home for us to list them all here. The important thing to remember is, investing in a quality system is an investment in your future. You will save money in the long run from the reduction of energy costs due to the increase in efficiency from clean appliances and pipes.
Over time, water softeners will need to be replaced as the sodium ions become depleted. However, water softeners are an effective way to improve the quality of your water, and they can help to prolong the life of your plumbing.
Do Water Softeners Need To Be Replaced?
Signs You Need a Water Softener Replacement
In many places, water softener systems are necessary to increase the quality of your water. A well-cared-for system can last for 10 to 15 years, but to avoid premature water softener replacement you will have to maintain it. Many factors affect the lifespan of your water softener but on average it will lose 1% to 2% efficiency per year from use. The noticeable scaly buildup that is hard to clean on the surface or faucets of your tub is a clear indicator that you have hard water. However, we are going to dive into some of the less clear signs that you need to replace your water softener.
The Water Is Difficult to Lather
Noticing the bubbles your soap and water produces is an easy way to tell if your water softener is losing efficiency. Soft water has a much easier time creating bubbles as opposed to hard water. As a result, you will not need as much soap when you are washing your hair in the shower or cleaning dishes. On the other hand, if you find you need to use more soap than usual to get the water to lather, you may have a hard water problem.
Laundry Becomes A Chore
Washing machines can be sensitive to hard water. They exhibit several signs that your water softener is not working as it should and may need to be replaced. First, as previously stated, hard water does not lather well. You may notice there are fewer bubbles produced to clean your clothes. You can check to see if it is lathering by stopping a load mid-cycle and assessing the bubbles. It would also be helpful to keep an eye out for stiff yellow-tinted clothes as well as an increased difficulty in removing stains. Eventually, you may notice that your washing machine needs constant repairs and maintenance. This is a clear sign that the hard water buildup is damaging it.
Be quick to call an expert at Green Leaf HVAC and Plumbing because any hard water issues can build up to needing entire system replacements.
Limescale Buildup In Pipes
A lot of people have water softeners in areas where there is hard water present. Limescale will build up around your pipes and faucets if you do not. Most people do not notice or think that it is normal. We are here to tell you that it is not, and you do not have to live with it anymore. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium, which is why it builds up. It would be beneficial to check these places for buildup while you are cleaning. This ensures that hard water cannot damage your water pipes. Encountering the chalky off-white substance means you may need a Green Leaf plumbing specialist to come out and inspect your pipes.
Bad Tasting Water
If you have experienced hard water in the past, then you know it tastes different than soft water. This change in taste happens because the hard minerals are removed and replaced with sodium ions. While the water doesn’t become salty, there is a distinctly different taste to it. The most significant indicator that it is time for a water softener replacement is a drink of water from the kitchen that doesn’t taste right. This is because an old or poorly managed water softener stops being able to trade hard minerals for sodium. At this point, it may need to be serviced by a plumbing technician, but more likely than not, it needs a replacement.
As you can see, several different factors mean it is time for a water softener replacement. The thing to remember, however, is that they all focus on watching for scaly buildup in various places. So, if you think you are having issues with your water softener, take action. There is always a Green Leaf plumbing expert waiting to answer your questions.
