Softening water isn’t hard with a unit that’s in good condition
Replace a water softener if the repair cost is more than 50% of the cost of a new unit or if the unit is 10 to 15 years old or more.
Water softeners last around 10 to 25 years, and repairs cost $160 to $980.
Replacing a water softener costs $1,500 on average.
When it’s time for water softener repair, your faucets and appliances will give you signs. For instance, you’ll start noticing hard water stains on your clean dishes, or your laundry will feel stiffer than usual. But how can you tell the difference between when it’s time to simply repair the water softener versus when it’s time to install a newer unit?
Like with many appliances, you can use the 50% rule, meaning when repairs are costing more than half the cost of a replacement, it’s time to install a new model. But here are some other ways to tell when to repair or replace your water softener.
Whether or not it is worth it to repair a water softener depends on the age of the water softener, what’s wrong with it, and whether you have a current warranty. For instance, if the problem is that your water softener can’t keep up with the amount of water your family uses each day, replacing the unit with a larger-capacity model is a better option than repairing it. However, if your unit is under warranty or isn’t very old, making repairs could save you money.
Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to replace or repair a water softener:
"When it comes to appliances, you have to consider the extent of the issue. If it is minor problems or something that simply requires maintenance, then it might be more cost-effective to do a repair. If the failure is a major component of the appliance, then it will likely be easier and more affordable in the long run to just replace it and get peace of mind."
— Josh Rudin, Owner at ASAP Restoration LLC, Tempe, AZ
| Repair | Replace |
|---|---|
| Less than 10 years | Older than 10 years |
| Under warranty | No longer under warranty |
| Minor repairs, like salt bridges or overflow | Major repairs, like replacing a brine tank or fixing electrical issues |
| If repairs cost less than 50% of the cost of a new water softener | If repairs cost more than 50% of the cost of a new water softener |
| The existing unit capacity works for your household | The existing unit has too small of a capacity for your household |
The average water softener lasts 10 to 25 years, with most models making it to the 15-year mark before it’s time for water softener replacement. Wear and tear is natural, but there are some things that will shorten the life span of your water softener, like using a water softener with too small of a capacity for the amount of water you use or forgetting regular maintenance.
Water softener repair costs $160 to $980, depending on what needs to be repaired. Common repairs, like changing a filter or replacing the resin beads, range from $25 to $500. Installing a new water softener costs $1,500 on average, but costs may range from $200 to replace a smaller magnetic water softener to over $5,000 to replace a dual-tank ion-exchange water softener.
There are some options for offsetting the cost of replacing a water softener, such as renting a water softener instead of buying one or inquiring about local or state rebates or tax incentives for installing more efficient water softeners.
If you start noticing signs of hard water, it may be time to inspect your water softener for some of these common problems:
Salt bridges form in water softeners from time to time. In the brine tank, salt bridges may form when there’s too much salt, when the salt you add to the tank has more impurities, or when the air around the water softener is humid. Fortunately, you can easily repair a salt bridge by simply breaking it apart gently with a broom handle.
If you hear the unit running and wonder why the water softener is constantly draining, rest assured that there’s no need to start shopping for a new model just yet. There might be a stuck valve, or the water softener may have lost electrical connection while it was trying to start a regeneration cycle, causing it to get stuck in the draining mode. Consult with a pro to determine the cause and make a swift repair.
While you should address water softener leaks quickly to prevent any water damage to your home, this isn’t an automatic sign that the whole unit needs to be replaced. A leaky water softener could simply mean that the brine tank is too full or that you need to replace the seal or gasket. Let the pros inspect the water softener to find and repair the source of the leak.
Some water softener repairs, like breaking up a salt bridge or changing a filter, are easy for even the most novice DIYers to tackle. But if you need to replace a seal, brine tank, resin tank, valve, or another important part, keep in mind that trying to DIY could void your warranty. Instead, leave more involved repairs to a plumber or local water softener repair pro.
Even the most efficient, well-maintained water softener won’t last forever. You may get up to 25 years out of your model if you’re lucky, but here are some factors to consider if you’re thinking about replacing your water softener instead of repairing it:
The average water softener lasts around 15 years, so if your unit starts giving you troubles and it’s over 10 years old, it may be worth it to replace it entirely.
Constantly buying new water softener parts to replace worn-out valves and seals is less cost-effective than replacing your system. Keep the 50% rule in mind when considering whether to pay for water softener repair versus replacement.
Replacing a water softener is best left to the pros. Not only do you have to connect a new unit to your plumbing, but you also have to know how to remove a water softener properly. If you make a mistake, you could damage the new unit or even your home’s plumbing. Instead, hire a local water softener installer, who can get the new water softener up and running quickly. A pro will often help with disposing of the old water softener, too.
You will know if your water softener is failing if your water tastes or smells different than usual. The hard water may also leave stains on your dishes or cause limescale buildup around your faucets and other water-using appliances. Another sign of a failing water softener is if your skin and hair begin feeling dry.
Water softener resin lasts around 10 to 15 years, but you can tell if the water softener resin is bad if you experience signs of hard water, like a change in the taste or smell of your water. You may also notice that your water bill has increased despite usage staying the same, and this may be a sign that the resin is worn out and needs to be replaced.
There are several things that can shorten the life of a water softener. Homes with very hard water may have to replace the unit sooner because the water softener works harder to filter out the hard minerals. High water usage and infrequent maintenance can also put more strain on a water softener.
