Many whole-home filters make your water look cleaner, smell fresher, and taste better. But that doesn’t necessarily mean your water is soft. Without a water softener, hard water can still be a problem in your home. So, what exactly is the difference between a water filter and a water softener?

Below, this Pentair water softening contractor in Hoffman Estates, Illinois is going to explain what each one does, and why using both might be the ideal choice for your home.

Most homeowners install a water softener and then forget it’s even there. That is usually a good sign, because it means that the water softener is doing its job correctly. But just like any other appliance in your home, it still needs some attention now and then — and you might not get as much use out of the system if it doesn’t get that.

So, what causes a water softener to break down early? Below, this Pentair water softening company in Westmont, Illinois is going to explain some of the main issues that can wear out your system faster than expected.

When buying a water softener, most people focus on grain capacity or how frequently a softener regenerates. Those are certainly useful numbers, but there is another one that usually gets missed, and it is just as important, if not more.

We are talking about flow rate. That number tells you how well your softener will keep up when more than one thing is running at once. Below, this Pentair water softening company in Burr Ridge, Illinois is going to explain why flow rate deserves your attention when you are shopping for a new water softener.

Replacing an appliance is both expensive and a hassle. Many people don’t realize that hard water is usually one of the reasons appliances wear out faster than expected. Below, this Pentair water softening company in Bolingbrook, Illinois is going to explain exactly how hard water affects your appliances over time.

Most people don’t think twice about the water they use every day. But if you live in an area with hard water, it might be quietly working against your skin. Even if you do everything else right (like drinking plenty of water and using quality skincare), your skin can still feel uncomfortable. Hard water could be part of the problem.

The challenging part is that the effects of hard water build up slowly, so you might not notice them at first. But the change can be surprisingly noticeable once you switch to soft water. You don’t always realize how much hard water was affecting your skin until it is no longer there. Below, this Pentair water softening company in Plainfield, Illinois is going to explain how soft water helps your skin feel and look better.

If you are comfortable with plumbing tools and have watched a few YouTube tutorials, installing your own water softener might seem like a doable job. It can be a good way to save some money, which is why most people even consider it in the first place. However, the reality is that installing a water softener is more complicated than it looks.

To do it properly, you’ll need to clearly know your home’s plumbing layout and get the right system size for your home. You’ll also need to make sure things like drainage and regeneration cycles are working exactly as they should. A mistake here could mean that your softener does not run efficiently, or worse, damages your plumbing infrastructure.

Below, this Pentair water softening company in Algonquin, Illinois is going to highlight some of the most common risks associated with DIY water softener installations.

Are you thinking about installing a water softener? Before you can enjoy the benefits of softer water in your home, you’ll have to make sure that your home can support a water softener. That’s where we can help. Below, this Pentair water softening company in Aurora, Illinois is going to share some of the key things you should know about the process below.

Are you thinking about buying a water softener, but are worried that it might impact your water pressure — especially in the shower or when you are doing your dishes? If so, you are not alone. This is one of the most common worries people have before installing a softener, and understandably so. Nobody wants weak water pressure slowing down their daily routines.

If your system is properly sized and installed, a water softener should not affect your water pressure at all. In fact, in many cases, it can even improve the overall efficiency of your plumbing system. Below, this Pentair water softening company in Batavia, Illinois is going to explain how that works.

It is easy to forget about the water softener you have in your home. But like any other home appliance, your water softener has a limited service life. And if you live in a place like Lake Zurich, Illinois, where the water hardness is very high (about 245 Parts Per Million or PPM), your system is under extra pressure every day and could wear out sooner than it should.

So, how can you tell whether it’s time to replace your water softener, or if repairs will be enough to get you through? Below, this Pentair water softening company in Lake Zurich, Illinois is going to share some insights that will help you make that determination.

Many people already know that a water softener can improve the water quality in their homes. But did you know that it can also keep your water heater running efficiently for longer?

Hard water causes mineral buildup inside your heater, which makes it use more energy to deliver consistently hot water. A good water softener can prevent this mineral buildup and save you money on utility bills and system repairs. Below, this Pentair water softening company in Schaumburg, Illinois is going to explain exactly how a water softener can make your water heater work more efficiently.