Water Softener Installation, Repair and Service in Whittier, CA
White crust on your faucets. Spots on every glass. A softener that stopped working, or one sitting in the box waiting to be installed. We get your water soft again. We install, repair and service water softeners, fix softeners that won't regenerate or are leaking, repair broken valves and drain lines, and install reverse osmosis drinking water systems.
Whittier Water Quality
How Hard Is Whittier's Water?
A past City of Whittier water quality report put average hardness at about 270 mg/L, which works out to roughly 16 grains per gallon. The U.S. Geological Survey calls anything over 180 mg/L very hard. Much of Whittier's water comes from groundwater, which picks up calcium and magnesium on the way.
That hard water shows up as:
- White crust on faucets and showerheads
- Spots on dishes and glass shower doors
- Stiff laundry and dry skin
- Scale inside water heaters, tankless units and pipes
Hardness depends on your water provider, since parts of Whittier are served by the city and parts by Suburban Water Systems. We test your water before recommending a system.
System Comparison
Salt Based Softener vs Salt Free Conditioner
| System | Best For | Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|
| Salt based softener | Truly soft water | Needs salt and a drain line |
| Potassium softener | Lower sodium | Potassium costs more than salt |
| Dual tank softener | Large families, nonstop soft water | Costs more up front |
| Salt free conditioner | Scale reduction only | Doesn't remove hardness |
Some parts of LA County restrict salt based softeners that drain to the sewer. We make sure your system fits local rules.
Softener Repair
Water Softener Repair in Whittier
"There's something definitely wrong with the water softener."
Water Softener Not Regenerating or Not Softening
If spots and crust are back, the softener may not be regenerating. Common causes are a failed control valve, a clogged injector, a stuck motor, worn resin or a timer that lost its settings after a power outage.
Salt Bridge in the Brine Tank
A hard crust of salt can form across the brine tank, leaving an empty space below. The tank looks full, but no brine is being made. We break up the bridge and clean the tank.
Water Softener Leaking or Overflowing
Leaks usually come from the bypass valve, the control head, cracked fittings or a brine tank float that sticks and lets the tank overfill. We find the source and repair it.
Broken Control Valve, Cracked Head or Damaged Tank
Movers drop tanks. Construction crews cut lines. If the control valve or head cracked, we replace the valve or the parts that broke.
Regeneration Drain Line Cut or Clogged
The softener can't flush itself without its drain line. If the line was cut during a remodel or is clogged, we replace it and set it up with the air gap the plumbing code calls for.
Softener Not Working After a Power Surge
Storms and lightning can knock out the control board or wipe the settings. We check the electronics, reset the system and replace the control board if needed.
Before You Call
Quick Water Softener Checks
Bypass Valve
Make sure it's set to service, not bypass.
Salt Level
Keep the brine tank at least a quarter full, and push on the salt to check for a bridge.
Power and Clock
Confirm the unit is plugged in and the time is right, since regeneration usually runs at night.
Water in the Brine Tank
A tank full of water above the salt can mean a clogged injector or drain line.
Still not working? We'll take it from there.
High Water Bill?
Your Softener May Be Stuck in Regeneration
"My water bill was like $507 all of a sudden last month."
A softener stuck in its regeneration cycle can send water down the drain nonstop. If your bill jumped and you hear water running near the softener, turn it to bypass and call us.
If the softener isn't the cause, the leak may be somewhere else. Whittier's plumbing experts at leak detection can track it down.
Service & Maintenance
Water Softener Service and Maintenance
"I want to know if you service water conditioning units." Whether you call it a softener, a water conditioner or a soft water system, we service it.
What a Tune-Up Includes
- Checking the control valve settings and regeneration schedule
- Cleaning the brine tank and checking the float
- Inspecting the resin tank, bypass valve and drain line
- Testing your water before and after to confirm it's soft
We work on most major brands, including systems with Fleck 5600 series control valves.
Softener Not Working or Need a New One Installed?
We repair, service and install water softeners and RO systems across Whittier.
Installation
Water Softener Installation in Whittier
"I already bought the tanks and everything, so I need to have it installed."
New Water Softener Installation
We install single tank and dual tank softeners, connect the bypass valve, run the drain line and set the system for your water hardness.
Installing a Softener You Already Bought
Bought a system online or from a store? We install it, including popular 48,000 grain models.
Softener Loops and Garage Installs
Most Whittier homes don't have basements, so softeners usually go in the garage or outside near the main water line. Many homes have a softener loop already plumbed in. If yours doesn't, we add one. Outdoor hose bibs can often stay on hard water for the yard.
Replacing an Old Water Softener
If your softener is very old, has a cracked tank or needs a new valve and resin, a new system may make more sense. We compare both prices with you.
Water Softener Permits in Whittier
The City of Whittier lists water treating equipment in its plumbing permit fees, so a new softener install may need a permit. We let you know what your job needs.
Softeners for Tankless Water Heaters
Hard water builds scale fast inside tankless heat exchangers. A softener cuts that scale and can stretch the time between descaling visits. See water heater installation.
Choosing the Right Softener Size for Whittier Water
Softeners are sized in grains. The EPA says the average American uses about 82 gallons of water a day at home. At about 16 grains per gallon, a family of four uses around 5,200 grains of hardness a day, or about 36,000 a week. That's why 48,000 grain systems are a common fit for Whittier homes. We size yours based on your water test and household.
Drinking Water
Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Systems
"We wanted to get a reverse osmosis system just on the main sink in the kitchen."
Under Sink RO Installation at the Kitchen Sink
Softened water has a small amount of added sodium. Many Whittier homeowners add an under sink reverse osmosis system for drinking and cooking. We install RO systems at the kitchen sink and can connect them to your fridge water line.
RO Filter and Membrane Replacement
RO filters need changing about every six months to two years, and the membrane every three to five years. We replace filters and membranes on systems we install and most others.
Rentals & Property Sales
Water Softeners for Rentals, Duplexes and Home Sales
Landlords and property managers call us when tenants report hard water or a softener that quit. We repair or replace units in rentals and duplexes. Selling a home? A softener that works and has been serviced is one less item on a buyer's inspection list.
Cost Guide
Water Softener and RO Cost in Whittier
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Water softener repair | $160 – $975 |
| Salt based softener system | $400 – $1,200 |
| Dual tank softener system | $1,000 – $2,200 |
| Whole house softener, installed (avg) | About $1,500 |
| Under sink RO system, installed | $150 – $1,300 |
| RO membrane replacement | $50 – $100 every 3–5 years |
Salt runs about $10 a month for most homes. Cost depends on the system, whether a softener loop is already in place and how much plumbing is needed. Upfront pricing before any work starts.
Full Plumbing Cost Guide →Why Choose Us
Why Whittier Calls Whittier Plumbing Pros for Water Softeners
Real Plumbers, Not Just Equipment Sellers
We fix and install the plumbing around your softener, from loops and bypass valves to drain lines.
Upfront Pricing on Every Softener Job
You know the price before we start, whether it's a repair or a new system.
We Protect Your Water Heater Too
Soft water helps cut scale in water heaters. See water heater repair and water heater installation. Hablamos español.
Where We Work
Water Softener Service Near You in Whittier and Nearby Cities
We install and repair water softeners across Whittier, including Uptown, Friendly Hills, Whittier Hills, Whittwood, Los Nietos and East, South and West Whittier, in ZIP codes 90601 to 90606, plus Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera and La Mirada.
Common Questions
Water Softener FAQs for Whittier Homeowners
Need Water Softener Repair or Installation in Whittier?
Hard water back or a softener waiting to be installed? Call Whittier Plumbing Pros today.
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