Replacing a water softener is an investment, and you’re certainly not the first person to experience sticker shock. After all, like most appliances, water softener cost varies dramatically, as does water softener quality. You could simply purchase the cheapest unit available, but will that really save you money in the long run? And will it do everything you need? Before you make your final decision, it’s important to consider all the factors that influence water softener cost. Those same factors also affect water softener performance and longevity.

Seeing standing water in your brine tank can be a little disconcerting. Isn’t it supposed to just be salt? Well, that depends. For some households that don’t go through much water, this can be a common occurrence. Although you may need to add a bag of salt in the near future, it’s nothing to cause alarm. However, standing water can also be a sign of a problem. The components that regulate water intake might be allowing the tank to overfill, or water is not being drawn down after regeneration. How can you tell? Let’s troubleshoot.

Here in Minnesota, our water is naturally hard and we deal with a lot of iced-over sidewalks in the winter. To solve both problems, we need salt. But, is there a difference between the salt you put in your water softener and the salt you sprinkle on your driveway and walkway to melt the ice? Can you use one product for both purposes?

Any major appliance in your home can break or stop working at any time, including your water softener. If you’re experiencing an issue with your system, here’s a water softener troubleshooting guide to help you identify the problem and either fix it yourself or call a pro.

If you live anywhere in Minnesota, you probably have a water softener in your utility closet. At least, we hope you do. With our naturally hard water, it’s an essential piece of equipment if you hope to avoid the ugly, expensive problems hard water can cause. Most of us know that a water softener contains salt, but why? How does a water softener work to improve the quality of our water?

Pellets, crystals, and block salt, oh my! Rock, solar and evaporated salt, oh dear! There are so many varieties of salt sold for water softeners, it can be difficult to know what makes them different and which one is best for your water system. Don’t worry, we’ll dissolve those issues for you.

You love your modern home appliances because they make your life easier and better in so many ways. But one thing you can count on — eventually there comes a time when you have to decide whether repairs will keep your appliance on the front lines or if replacement is the smarter choice. So, when your water softener doesn’t seem to be functioning at peak efficiency, how do you decide? Let’s take a look at the typical longevity of a water softener. We’ll cover the signs your system may have a problem, what it could be, and when you should

If your water softener is running but isn’t softening your water, there are a few problem-solving tactics you can try that may fix the issue before having to call in the experts. In this video, Haferman Water Service Manager, Mike Nielsen walks you through a few areas to check if you are experiencing hard water in your home.