Water softeners that stop hard water at the door

Hard water carries high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium, which water picks up as it moves through limestone — and the Hill Country is limestone country. Marble Falls city water, drawn from Lake Marble Falls, tests around 185 mg/L (about 10.8 grains per gallon), and private wells in Burnet County typically run about twice that, with a county median near 21.6 grains per gallon. North Austin cities on Lake Travis water, like Cedar Park and Leander, run about 11 grains per gallon. It's safe to drink, but it leaves the scale that damages water heaters, fixtures, and appliances.

The most effective solution is a whole-home water softener. A softener uses a process called ion exchange to physically remove the hardness minerals from your water. This protects your entire plumbing system, extends the life of water-using appliances, reduces soap and detergent usage, and leaves your skin, hair, and dishes feeling cleaner.

Common signs include white or chalky buildup on faucets and showerheads, spots on dishes and glassware, soap that doesn't lather well, dry or itchy skin after showering, dull or stiff laundry, and reduced water pressure. You may also notice your water heater and appliances failing prematurely due to scale buildup.

A water softener uses a process called ion exchange. Water flows through a tank filled with resin beads charged with sodium ions. As hard water passes through, the calcium and magnesium minerals stick to the beads while sodium ions are released into the water. Periodically, the system regenerates by flushing the beads with salt water to remove the minerals and recharge the resin.

Water softeners remove hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) to prevent scale buildup and improve water feel. Water filters remove things like chlorine, chloramine and sediment to improve taste and odor. Many homes benefit from both systems working together—a softener for the whole house and additional filtration for drinking water.

It depends on your water quality and concerns. If your municipal water has chlorine taste/odor or you have sediment issues, a whole-house filter improves water throughout your home for bathing and laundry. For better drinking water, an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system provides the highest level of filtration. We can test your water and recommend the right solution.

Water softeners need salt refilled regularly (monthly to quarterly, depending on usage) and professional servicing annually. Reverse osmosis systems need filter changes every 6-12 months and membrane replacement every 2-3 years. Whole-house filters vary by type but typically need filter changes every 3-6 months. We offer maintenance plans to keep your systems running optimally.

No. While water softeners use salt for regeneration, the amount of sodium added to softened water is minimal and typically unnoticeable. If you're on a strict low-sodium diet, you can install a reverse osmosis system at your kitchen sink for drinking and cooking water, or opt for a potassium-based softener instead of sodium.

It depends on the system — replacing an existing water softener, installing a new whole-home softener, adding an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking water, or whole-house filtration. We provide free water testing and quote the exact price upfront, before any work begins.