What does water softener installation involve?
Water softener installation involves connecting a softener unit to your incoming mains water supply, usually close to where the supply enters the house, such as under the kitchen sink, in a utility room or in a garage. We fit isolation valves and a bypass so the softener can be serviced or bypassed without shutting off your whole house. We connect a drain for the waste water the softener produces when it regenerates, and an overflow where required. Finally, we set the unit up, check for leaks, and show you how to top up the salt and use the bypass.
Do I need a water softener?
You may benefit from a water softener if you live in a hard water area and you're dealing with limescale. Common signs include white crust on taps and shower screens, kettles that fur up quickly, shower heads that clog, soap and shampoo that don't lather well, and spotty marks on glasses and dishes. Hard water can also leave scale inside appliances, hot water cylinders and heating systems over time. Your water supplier publishes the hardness of your water by postcode, so you can check how hard your supply is before deciding.
Why does hard water cause limescale?
Hard water contains dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium, picked up as water passes through chalk and limestone. When hard water is heated, or left to evaporate on a surface, those minerals come out of the water and form limescale. That's why scale builds up fastest in kettles, showers, hot water cylinders and anywhere water dries on a surface. A water softener removes these minerals before the water reaches your taps and appliances, so less scale forms.
Should I keep a drinking water tap on unsoftened water?
Keeping one tap on unsoftened mains water for drinking and cooking is standard practice when a softener is installed. Water Regs UK guidance recommends that drinking water taps are supplied direct from the mains where possible, and any water used for domestic purposes after treatment must still meet water quality requirements. We fit the softener so that your kitchen drinking tap stays on the mains supply, and the rest of the house receives softened water.
What affects the cost of water softener installation?
The cost of a water softener installation depends on the softener you choose, where it's going, and how easy it is to connect to your mains supply and a drain. A straightforward installation next to the incoming supply under a kitchen sink is quicker than one that needs pipework rerouting to a garage or utility room. Adding a separate drinking water tap, if you don't have one already, adds to the job. If you've already bought a softener, we can quote to fit it for you instead.
Our standard hourly call-out rates, excluding parts, materials and VAT, are:
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm£100 / hour
Monday to Friday, after 5pm£150 / hour
Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 5pm£150 / hour
Saturday and Sunday, after 5pm£180 / hour
Emergency callouts may vary, so ask us for details. There are no hidden charges, and we always confirm a fixed price for your job before we start.
Water softener vs. scale reducer: which is right for me?
A water softener and a scale reducer are different products. A water softener removes hardness minerals from the water using a resin that's regenerated with salt, so it needs salt topping up and a drain connection. A scale reducer or conditioner doesn't remove the minerals; it aims to change how they behave so less scale sticks to surfaces. A softener gives you softened water throughout the house, while a scale reducer is usually simpler to fit and needs less upkeep. We can talk through which suits your home before you buy.
Water softener installation FAQs
Where is a water softener installed?
A water softener is installed on the incoming mains supply, usually close to where the water enters the house. Common spots are under the kitchen sink, in a utility room or in a garage. It needs space for the unit and salt, access for topping up, and a nearby drain for waste water when it regenerates.
How often do I need to add salt to a water softener?
How often you add salt to a water softener depends on the model, how hard your water is and how much water your household uses. Most people check the salt level regularly and top it up when it runs low. The manufacturer's instructions for your unit will give you the best guide.
Can you install a softener I've already bought?
Yes, we can install a water softener you've bought yourself, as long as it's suitable for your mains supply and there's a sensible location for it. Let us know the make and model when you book, so we can check what's needed for the installation and confirm a fixed price.