Need help solving your water quality issues? Click here to connect with a Pentair True Blue PRO.
Premier softening for your home
(Reviews are an average of all water softening products)
Treat water confidently with reliable and industry proven Pentair solutions. Simple installation, service, and a wide range of applications makes Pentair your go-to choice for water softening.
- Professional-grade products from a trusted and reliable brand at a great price point
- High-performance industry-proven design
- Easy and quick installation
Protection
Get softer water throughout the home to protect hair, skin, dishes, laundry, and water-using appliances
Efficient
We offer efficient solutions that optimize performance for better water.
Advanced Technology
Newly redesigned and industry-proven technology delivers high performance and simple operation.
Easy
Installation is straightforward and efficient by our network of water experts.
How it works
Signs you need a water softener
As you use hard water during your day in your sink, in your tub, and throughout your home, minerals like calcium and magnesium can remain long after the water evaporates. This process leads to telltale stains and residue that will leave you reaching for the vinegar.
As the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) notes, you may also notice film on your glasses and dishware, even after a fresh cycle in the washing machine. Leave these stains and spots behind when you equip your home with a water softener.
Have you noticed that your laundry seems to have faded fresh out of the dryer? Maybe it’s scratchy to the touch, and doesn’t smell as good as it once did.
Soaps and detergents bind to the minerals in hard water and make them less effective. This effect is noticeable when you wash your hands and experience fewer suds, but one of the clearest signs that your softener isn’t properly treating hard water is faded and stiff laundry.
Some people find hard water dries out skin and hair, leading to itchy skin, dull hair, and difficulty styling. Your body naturally produces an oil called “sebum” that coats your skin and hair in a thin protective layer, but showering can remove part of this protective layer and potentially leave your skin irritated and your hair brittle.
If you sometimes feel like your hair feels dry, brittle, or frizzy, the answer might be a water softener.
Are you not sure how often to change a water filter or softener? The most obvious clue that you need a replacement is right on the packaging or user manual. When you notice signs of water quality issues or your water tastes “off,” track down your water filter or softener’s manual and locate the expiration date.
An important note: you might replace some filter or softener systems faster depending on the concentration of chemicals or minerals in your water profile. When a system reduces a higher quantity of contaminants than average, the filter media can fill up and expire in less time.
One of the greatest hazards of hard water is the damage it can wreak on your plumbing and water-based appliances. As the USGS reports, the mineral scale that hard water leaves behind can slowly clog your pipes and appliances like your dishwasher or hot water heater over time, making them less effective. Hard water can cost you a small fortune in early appliance replacement.
Unfortunately, you can’t climb into your plumbing to check for scale buildup. Something may be amiss if you notice consistent low water pressure in your shower or faucets.
We are water Experts
At Pentair, we take water quality seriously. That's why we've invested in state-of-the-art water quality labs staffed by a team of highly trained specialists. Our labs are equipped with the latest technologies, allowing us to conduct a wide range of tests for all kinds of applications.
Reviews
Great Product
This system has made a big difference in our house. The water tastes better, the clothes come out cleaner, then shampoo/conditioner washes out faster and leaves a cleaner feeling, and no spotting from the dishwasher.
by anonymous
Great Addition to our Home!
Bought about 2 months ago....have already complimented myself for this decision! Water taste is excellent, and the cup of coffee has never tasted better. Hard water stains around the sink are a thing of the past. Fully satisfied.
by Raji
Water is Wonderful!
Have wanted soft water since moving here 18 years ago. Why did I wait so long? The system is magic -- my hair has never been so soft, no more lime residue everywhere and the water tastes like a mountain stream.
by Heather
What's in your water?
start here
Worried about what may be in your water? Get our water test kit and send it in to us! We do extensive testing and will recommend products based on the makeup of your water. Get a test today!
Stuck on something?
Ask our technical support team a question. They're here to help!
Softening Frequently Asked Questions
-
What kind of salt should I use in my water softener?
-
Pentair recommends 99% salt crystals. You can find this salt at your local grocery store, hardware store or gas station.
-
Why does my water softener fail to regenerate?
-
The following is a list of common reasons as to why this may be happening:
- The unit is unplugged or no power is going to the unit.
- The unit is in bypass.
- The meter is counting gallons remaining off of the timer.
-
Why doesn’t my water feel slippery when washing dishes anymore?
-
Your water may not feel slippery because your water softener may not be re-generating. Another reason may be that there is no salt in your brine tank.
-
Is my water softener using too much salt?
-
You can tell if your water softener is using too much salt by verifying that your capacity, hardness, meter setting and salt dosage are set correctly for the size of your system. Next, check if your brine tank is full of water.
- If it is, push the float down and see if the brine tank starts to fill.
- If it is not, check if your brine valve refill amount is correct.
-
Why is the water pressure in my home low?
-
To determine the potential cause, put your water softener in bypass and see if the pressure increases.
- If the pressure does not increase, then the restriction is in your plumbing. Check all shut off valves.
- If the pressure increases, the pressure drop is within the water softener system. You may need to replace your resin.
- If the issue persists, contact your installer, dealer or Pentair technical support for further assistance.
-
Why are my drains plugged with resin?
-
Check that the inlet and outlet plumbing on your softener is not reversed. If your inlet and outlet are plumbed correctly, your distributor assembly is likely cracked and needs to be replaced. Contact your installer or dealer for further assistance.
-
Why do I still have reddish staining on my fixtures if I have a water softener?
-
Check your programming to confirm that the correct iron amount is set for your hardness level. If that is correct, check the following:
- Does the unit regenerate? If not, please reference FAQ 2.
- Do you have low pressure? If yes, please reference FAQ 5.
- Have you tried using resin cleaner? If yes, you may need to rebed your system.
-
Will installing a softening system restrict the water flow or pressure in the house?
-
Yes, the water has to flow through the unit and the resin. These cavities will create a pressure drop. The size of the system and flow rate will determine how much pressure drop there will be.
-
How much maintenance is required?
-
Little maintenance is needed to keep your water softeners functioning smoothly. Salt does need to be refilled as it is depleted and filters and media should be replaced as indicated in your owner’s manual.
-
If I’m on a sodium-restricted diet or suffer from hypertension, is there a substitute for salt that I can add to water softeners?
-
Yes, you can use potassium chloride instead of salt. Potassium chloride is a more expensive alternative, but it is worth the cost when you consider the benefits.
Most public water supplies contain less than 20 mg/L of sodium, according to the World Health Organization. Using salt-based softeners can raise the sodium concentration above this level. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that the sodium in your drinking water not exceed 20 mg/L if you’re on a restricted sodium intake diet, as defined by the EPA. Individuals on a very low-sodium diet and concerned about the amount of sodium in softened water should consider using potassium chloride instead of salt.
-
Where does the mineral content in my water go?
-
The exchanged ions are flushed down your drain. Our minimal backwashing wastes less water.
Water 101
Unleash the secrets of your H2O! Explore where water originates and discover the various treatment methods that transform it into safer, drinkable water.
Soft water doesn’t have to be hard. Learn about what causes hard water and identify solutions to help reduce the related water woes.
Keeping your water softener in good shape is the best way to keep levels of these minerals low and mitigate the issues associated with hard water listed above.
Hard water shouldn't be the bane of your existence. That's where water softeners come in.
Product Support
We're here to help, contact us to get assistance with your product. Need info on warranty? Please click below.
More Articles
- Upflow Vs Downflow Water Softeners
- Cleaner, Softer Clothing With Soft Water
- How is Hard Water Affecting Your Appliances?
- Simple Hard Water Treatments for Your Home
- How Hard Water Affects Hair & Skin: Dryness, Damage & More
- Measuring Water Hardness
- Hard Water and Cleaning Your Water Heater
- What Salt Softener Companies Aren’t Telling You About Chlorine in Water
- Skin Conditions - How Filtration & Water Softeners Can Help
- 7 Signs You Need a New Water Softener or Filter
- Why You Should Use Soft Water When Cooking
Are you a water professional or installer?
Visit our water treatment components section.