If you’re battling with the problems caused by hard water in your home, then installing a water treatment system is an inexpensive and effective method to combat the issues caused by hard water.
Typically, hard water contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, etc. that can completely clog and damage the pipes in your home due to scale build-up.
Hard water can also ruin all your home appliances and reduce their lifespans and so, it is very important to find a solution for the hard water problem in your home. A water softener is a very easy and cost-effective method to combat the hard water issues in your home.
So, can a plumber install a water softener in your home? Installing a water softening system is a complex process and is not a job to be tackled as a DIY project or by an unlicensed plumber just to save money.
Hiring an unlicensed plumber or installing the water softener system yourself can result in improper installation, which in turn, can result in the contamination of your drinking water and cause serious illnesses and long-term health problems.
Further, improper installation of the water treatment system can result in a health inspector not allowing you to move into your home.
So, it is recommended that you hire a professional licensed plumber to install the water softener system in your home.
What Is a Water Softener?
A water softener is essentially a water filtration system and the most common type is the ion exchange water softener, which works on the principle of ion exchange and helps to treat hard water effectively.
Water softeners work on a 3-phase system that switches the hard water ions like calcium and magnesium ions in the water with desirable ions that help to soften the water.
Selecting and installing a water softener for your home is a complex process and you need a water softener according to the size of your home, as well as other factors such as the number of people, bathrooms and fixtures in your home.
Typically, most homes require a water softener of a range between 40,000 and 90,000-grain capacity. And, to install the water softener, it is best to get a licensed plumber to do it.
Why Get a Plumber to Install Your Water Softener System?
Often, homeowners prefer to use their DIY skills to handle various jobs around the home, including plumbing jobs. However, homeowners may not have the experience, skills or tools to handle certain types of plumbing jobs, such as installing a water softener.
You may end up damaging the plumbing pipes or fixtures in your home, be injured physically or install the water softener system wrongly causing long-term problems.
So, it is always a good idea to hire a professional, licensed plumber who has the experience, skills and track record with all types of plumbing jobs. Here are some reasons as to why it is a good idea to get a professional plumber to install the water softener system in your home.
They Have the Expertise and Know-How
A professional plumber has the expertise and knowledge of the correct plumbing techniques that they must use to ensure the best result. Certified plumbers have the skills and know what can go wrong when they’re working with the plumbing systems and are best suited to install a water softener system.
They Have Proper Tools and Equipment
Professional, licensed plumbers have the proper materials, equipment and tools that ensure that the plumbing is done correctly and the water softener is installed properly, giving you the best results.
As a layperson, you may not have the tools and equipment required to complete the installation. And, without the proper understanding and know-how, you may simply end up purchasing stuff that is unnecessary, wasting your effort, time and money.
They Can Help to Avoid Home and Health Damage
If you install the water softener yourself or let an unlicensed plumber do it, there is a great risk of improper fittings and leaky pipes, which can cause significant damage to your home.
Also, a faulty installation of the water softener can cause your drinking water to get contaminated, which can result in serious illnesses or health problems.
They Can Prevent Incurring Additional Cost to Fix Problems
While an unlicensed plumber or installing the water softener as a DIY job can be cheaper, it does not mean that it is better.
The home plumbing system is extremely delicate and an unlicensed plumber may not have the training, skills and experience required to install a water softener and may damage your plumbing system, which may expose you to serious risks.
These plumbing damages could mean that you end up spending extra money for repairs and fixing the mistakes.
They Can Identify and Solve Problems
Licensed plumbers are more experienced, competent and reliable and can handle plumbing issues of varying levels of complexity.
They are efficient, can identify and troubleshoot plumbing problems and they know what they must do to avoid these problems in the future while being able to resolve any issues very quickly.
They Offer Insurance Protection
Hiring an unlicensed plumber may mean that you’re not protected by insurance—workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Both these help to protect homeowners from paying for any damages caused by a plumber.
Hiring an unlicensed plumber means that you are not protected in case the plumber makes a mistake and you will have to undertake the cost of repairs.
In addition, a homeowner’s insurance will not cover the damages caused by unlicensed workers and this can increase your insurance cost.
They Can Get Proper Permits
Older water softening systems were exempt from specific requirements, as the exchange tank was not directly connected to water or sewage lines. However, the newer and more modern water softeners have designs that include filtration, as well as the softening systems connected to the sewage line.
If you decide to install the water softener or get an unlicensed plumber to do it, you may not be able to get the proper permits required to install the water softener correctly as per the code, which means that there is an increased risk of health problems because the water softener is not installed properly.
Parting Thoughts
In conclusion, while it is possible to install the water softener system in your home on your own; however, it is a complex process and if wrongly installed, there can be long-term health and other problems.
A plumber is the best person who has the understanding, know-how, skills and expertise to handle these systems and so, it is best to get a professional, licensed plumber to install the water softener system for you.