The Ultimate Guide For Buying The Best Water Softener For Well Water

If you use water supplied from your well, you may wonder whether your water supply really needs softening and what you can do to ensure your water supply is clean and safe for your family’s daily consumption.

Well water comes up from underground aquifers, which are naturally occurring underground sources of groundwater that provide fresh drinking water for people who live near them.

Well water can be hard or soft depending on what kind of minerals exist in the aquifer and how much they’ve been disturbed by human activity like drilling. Sometimes, wells can also be contaminated with chemicals or bacteria that come up from below ground through cracks in rock formations and other geological processes that cause contamination of the aquifer itself, like fracking.

As a homeowner, it is natural to want clean and safe water flowing throughout your household. The well water is prone to contamination and can severely damage your pipes, plumbing infrastructure, and appliances if left unchecked. In the worst case, harmful chemicals present in your well water can adversely affect your health. 

Luckily, there are several solutions that can decontaminate well water so you can provide clean and safe water throughout your household. A water softener can help turn hard water into soft water by removing hardness-causing minerals, as well as a wide variety of common contaminants that may be found in your well water.

This article discusses the best water softeners to use with well water and all of the factors to consider while purchasing your water softener.

Does well water need a water softener?

Well water across several areas in America is naturally hard, which means it has minerals like calcium and magnesium dissolved in it. When these minerals come into contact with metal pipes, they can form lime-scale, which is what’s happening when you see white build-up on your faucets or showerhead.

So how do you know if your well water needs a water softener? The best way is to have a water test done to determine the hardness of your well water. You can purchase a home testing kit and do the test yourself or get your water professionally tested in a lab for more detailed and accurate results.

If you have a lab or home test that shows that your well water is moderately hard or higher, then you will definitely want to install a softener.

Well water can get contaminated for many different reasons based on where you live. If your well gets water from a clean aquifer that is uncontaminated by human activity, then there is no need to install a water softener.

The only way to accurately know if your water is contaminated is to get it tested. The test results will also inform you if your well water is contaminated with harmful chemicals like mercury or toxic volatile organic compounds.

Once you know what you’re dealing with regarding contamination of your well water, you will be able to make the correct decisions for treating your well water in the most effective way.

What is the best water softener for well water? – Our Answer

After considerable research and comparisons, we have come to the conclusion that the SoftPro Elite water softener is the best water softener to use for well water. It features several advanced settings that offer many programming options and automatic adjustments to get the most out of your water softener.

The automated control system offers auto system refresh, adjustable backwash frequency, and vacation mode. This means that the SoftPro Elite can automatically regenerate only when it is needed. This makes maintenance a lot easier and also saves money on salt and water expenses.

You can simply install the SoftPro Elite, program it with custom settings and enjoy the benefits of soft water that is provided on-demand. 

SoftPro includes add-ons and extra filters that are designed to remove common contaminants found in well water, such as iron and chlorine. This allows you to not just have soft water but also remove a wider variety of contaminants that may be present in your water supply.

SoftPro also has excellent customer service and offers a six-month money-back policy along with a lifetime warranty. For all of these reasons, the SoftPro Elite is our top pick for the best water softener for well water.

Why should you trust us?

We take pride in our honest reviews that compare products based on their features alone. We break down individual elements to offer comparisons that discuss both positive and negative elements.

Every product we review is treated with the same amount of care and attention, so we may present the most relevant information to you. Our reviews are unbiased and offer a comprehensive picture of specific products, so you can be empowered to make the best decisions for yourself.

Our reviews are always up-to-date and offer pertinent information that is direct and authentic. You never have to worry about outdated information as we conduct extensive surveys of the water softener market. All of the reviews in this guide are relevant, informative, and to the point.

Our aim is to empower you as a customer so you are able to use our reviews to get the most out of your water softener experience. For these reasons, you can trust that our guides are honest and authentic and serve to empower you as a customer. List of 6 Best DIR Water Softener For Septic Systems

Reviewing Best Water Softeners for Well Water 2022

How does a well water softener system work?

Most water softeners use an ion exchange technology where magnesium and calcium ions are exchanged for sodium or potassium ions as water flows through your water softener. A brine solution is created with salt, which provides the necessary sodium to your water softener’s resin beads which then exchange these ions for the magnesium and calcium ions found in hard water.

Alternatively, you can use potassium pellets in your water softener, which enables you to have extra potassium in your water instead of sodium. This has several health benefits and is particularly useful for people who have to maintain low sodium diets for health reasons.

In addition to magnesium and calcium, well water often features additional contaminants. The most notable being iron and occasionally more harmful contaminants like toxic VOCs, lead, sulfur and chlorine if your well has not been cleaned in a long time.

Water softeners that are designed for use with well water often include additional filters that trap these contaminants and prevent them from entering your water source. The most common sign of iron contamination is rust stains on your pipes and appliances.

Ion exchange technology, in combination with fine mesh filters, prevents contaminants found in your well from reaching and damaging your household plumbing and appliances. 

Learn in this guide on how to install a water softener with a well:

You can learn how to install a water softener with a well by following our step-by-step instructions depending on the type of water softener you have. 

Salt-based water softener systems  

1. Switch off the water from the primary line and open the fixture at the lowest height in your home to empty out all the water.
2. Switch off the water heater.
3. Go to the region on the main plumbing line where you need to introduce the water softener.
4. Cut off the line with a pipe cutter.
5. Attach an elbow fitting in the cut-off line.
6. Use the measurements of the pipework leading to the bypass valve. Slice it to fit and fuse the fittings and nipples prior to joining the line to the valve.
7. With the compression fittings, secure the unit.
8. Secure the hose to the unit and connect it to the drainage area.
9. Change the valve to the bypass setting and flush water through to dispose of waste.
10. Connect the unit to a plug, turn the valve in reverse, and open the valve gradually to let water in. Consult your manual for the timetable for flushing and how much salt to add to your tank.

Salt-free water softener

1. Go to your favored area to set up the salt-free water softener unit and switch off the main water supply.
2. Empty out the water by opening the lowest faucet in your home.
3. Cut off the cold water pipe before it arrives at the pre-filter housing.
4. Connect the shut-off valve to the pipework either by soldering with copper or sticking PVC to it.
5. Affix the line to the shut-off valve with compression fittings.
6. Connect the second shut-off valve, expand the line and attach it with a compression fitting.
7. Attach the downflow outlet, close the two shut-off valves, and switch on the main water valve.
8. Check for spills or leakage after opening the valves, each in turn. In the event that you can’t find leaks, switch on all valves to start the unit.

Magnetic water softeners

1. Go to the area where you need to introduce the unit. It is relatively small, so you can put it anyplace along the pipeline.
2. Follow the manual to open the magnetic box and clamp it to the pipe.
3. Connect the box encompassing the pipe according to guidelines to allow the water to flow through in the correct direction.
4. Close the container encompassing the pipe and screw it in.

Features to look for before buying a water softener:

It is vital that your water softener can effectively provide sufficient soft water for your whole family’s consumption. Water conditioners come in various sizes, which are estimated in grain capacity. This demonstrates the number of grains of hardness your water softener can eliminate prior to regeneration.

How much water your family consumes is critical to gauge because your water softener ought to have the option to give the same amount of soft water consistently.

The hardness of your water and how much water you drink every day ought to assist you with deciding the right size of water softener you want for your family.

Water softeners come in various form factors and don’t take up a similar amount of space in your home. Magnetic water softeners are the most minimal sort of water softeners and basically attach to your pipelines.

Water conditioners are somewhat more massive as you will require adequate space lengthways to store them. Salt-based water conditioners are the greatest and will require a committed space made for them. When this space is made, the water softener will keep going for many years.

Regardless of whether you find the ideal water softener, you ought to have the option to bear the cost of it. Fortunately, water softeners come in various budget ranges, and you have the option to track down one that is reasonably affordable for you and takes care of your requirements as a whole.

For economical individuals who need on-demand cleaning capabilities, it might seem alright to lease a water softener briefly as opposed to buying one. It works out better assuming that you are often moving houses yet at the same time need soft water.

Leasing water conditioners will become costly long haul. These items can keep going for quite a long time, so assuming you have a long-lasting home and no designs for moving, it is more conservative to purchase a water conditioner, despite being a greater amount of an immediate expense. 

Water softeners have various degrees of sturdiness and upkeep. A salt-free water softener is generally maintenance-free. Conditioners that use chelating agents can endure as long as five years, and TAC water conditioners will require the TAC media to be replaced every 6 to 8 years.

Salt-based water conditioners need more upkeep because of topping off salt levels occasionally. However, they can keep going for a really long time and are entirely solid products.

Modern water softeners feature a few extra elements that make working them more straightforward. You can get water softeners with a Bluetooth network for clearer communication.

Some water softeners have a computerized valve that enables automatic regeneration. This saves a great deal of salt and water and is extremely valuable for busy individuals who might disregard their water softener’s regeneration cycles. 

With plenty of choices, you should ultimately pick a water softener that will work for your family and meet their water consumption needs regularly and consistently.

Know how to add water softener pellets to well system

Adding water softener pellets to your water softener becomes a familiar routine as you get familiarised with your system. When you start adding salt as part of your system’s maintenance, you can use the following tips to gauge the right way to add water softener pellets.

Assess The Brine Tank

Conduct standard checks of the water conditioner’s salt levels. It is just about as basic as opening the brine solution tank and checking if it is at least half full. If it’s not, top it off right away and lay out a timetable for doing this regularly.

Consider Your Softeners Age

The age of your water conditioner decides how much salt it uses. Much of the time, units older than a decade run on outdated water softener systems that use more salt than newer water softeners with advanced features.

With the more current systems, regeneration happens only when needed, which saves on salt. A portion of these cutting-edge systems will alert you when the salt level falls underneath satisfactory levels, making maintenance easier.

Adding salt to the water softener should normally be done after around two to six months. In any case, consistently look at the salt level to guarantee the water softener is working ideally.

Check For Salt Bridges Regularly

Salt bridges make it challenging to check how much salt to place in your water softener. Salt bridges have a layer of salt covering an air pocket. If you take a quick look at a salt bridge, you’ll think the salt tank is more full than it really is.

Assuming the salt level gives off an impression of being dubiously steady for longer than expected, take a small shovel and poke the highest layer. In the event that it’s a salt bridge, it will collapse and uncover your system’s actual levels.

How do you fix hard water from a well?

Hard water is what we call water that has a high concentration of dissolved materials, most notably magnesium and calcium.

While these hard minerals are not harmful to health on their own, they can result in the formation of lime-scale and mineral deposits within your pipes and appliances that can cause irreversible damage to them over extended periods. This leads to costly repairs and can be avoided by softening the hard water in your well.

Salt-based water softeners have been historically used for several decades and have proven to effectively fix hard water in a well. They soften water through an ion exchange process where hardness-causing ions such as magnesium and calcium are exchanged for neutral ions like sodium and potassium.

The sodium ions are supplied to your water softener’s brine tank, which is used by the resin beads to exchange ions as water flows through your water softener. The end result is water with sodium instead of magnesium or calcium. This water is called soft water and has several benefits, including working well with cleaning agents, preventing mineral deposits, and making your hair and skin feel cleaner and less dry. 

Other water softener systems such as reverse osmosis and UV purification can get rid of other contaminants found in your wells, such as iron, sulfur, chlorine, and other harmful chemicals.

When it comes to fixing hard water and removing hardness-causing minerals, however, salt-based water softeners are the most effective and long-lasting solution currently possible.

The Verdict

After much deliberation, we have concluded that the SoftPro Elite water softener is the best water softener to use for well water. It combines both form and function in a well-designed and reliable product. It features many programming options and automated settings that optimize your water softener to perform at peak efficiency.

The automated control system of the SoftPro Elite enables several advanced features such as adjustable backwash frequency, battery backup, and vacation mode. It makes the SoftPro Elite capable of automatically regenerating your system only when it is needed. This makes the SoftPro Elite cost-efficient in the long run as you save money on salt and water expenses.

You are also offered a more user-friendly experience as the maintenance of your system requires very little effort. You can enjoy a consistent supply of soft water simply by installing this product. When it comes to convenience and reliability, SoftPro is leading the market. They also offer add-ons and extra filters capable of removing a wider variety of contaminants that may be present in your well water supply, such as heavy metals or toxic chemicals.

SoftPro also provides great customer service and satisfaction with additional benefits like a six-month money-back policy and a lifetime warranty. For all of these reasons, the SoftPro Elite is our best water softener for well water.

Conclusion

Well water is often considered a safer alternative to city water, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to contamination. While it’s true that most contaminants are filtered out before they reach your faucet, many potential issues can cause your well water to become contaminated.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to what’s in your well water. You turn on the faucet, get a glass of water, and go about your day. Have you ever wondered what exactly is in your well water? Is it safe to drink? What can you do if your well becomes contaminated?

The quality of your well water and how contaminated it may be will depend on where you live. For example, if your area has been hit by heavy rain or flooding, or both, there’s a chance that the groundwater near your home has been contaminated with harmful chemicals and bacteria.

Those chemicals and bacteria could be making their way into your drinking water supply right now. If this is the case, then it is natural to wonder about the safety of your well water.

What’s more, some states require homeowners with private wells to test their water regularly for harmful contaminants like lead or arsenic. Not all states require testing as often as others, and even when they do, not all wells are tested regularly enough to ensure safety. One study revealed that only 5% of homes in North Carolina were tested at least once per year. 

If your well water is contaminated, it is natural to worry about the health and safety of your family members. Common contaminants like magnesium and calcium are not particularly harmful to human health but can damage your pipes and appliances.

Luckily, there are solutions available to ensure your water supply is clean and safe. A time-tested and reliable method is installing a trustworthy water softener that can remove magnesium, calcium, and other harmful contaminants to provide soft water.

Soft water has several benefits that can ensure your family’s health and happiness. This article covers several helpful tips about water softeners for well water that has hopefully empowered you to make the best decision for you and your family.