Water Softener: Key Takeaways

Hard water can drop your water heater’s operational efficiency by up to 24 percent and cut the total operating lifespan of your dishwasher and washing machine in half.
To continuously soften your water, the resin beads inside the tank must regularly flush out captured calcium and magnesium ions using a concentrated brine solution. This self-cleaning cycle is a completely normal part of automatic system maintenance, meaning your softener will steadily consume salt and water over time.
If your water suddenly feels hard but the salt tank appears completely full, you likely have a “salt bridge.” This hard, crusty layer forms across the top of the water level, leaving a hollow, empty space underneath that blocks the brine solution. Gently breaking up the crust with a broom handle restores normal salt absorption instantly.
A water softener must be properly calibrated based on your household's daily water usage and exact mineral grain count. Our licensed PDM technicians analyze your water quality to set optimal regeneration intervals, maximizing system efficiency while saving you money on monthly salt costs.

“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.”

— W.H. Auden

Professional Water Softener Installation and Hard Water Solutions with PDM

Hard water can be tough on your Shorewood, IL, area plumbing system, laundry, and even your hair.

Thankfully there is an easy fix for hard water, and our expert plumbers at PDM can assist you with it.

Water Softener Installation

We install and maintain water softener systems throughout Will County, and surrounding areas that eliminate magnesium and calcium, the minerals found in hard water.

We are a full-service plumbing company that maintains, repairs, and installs plumbing fixtures, pipes, drains, sewer lines, and water softening and filtering systems. Our team of expert plumbers at PDM is available for emergency repairs, clog removal, and drain cleaning, including hydro jetting.

Problems With Hard Water

High levels of calcium and magnesium in your water can build up and leave limescale deposits on your plumbing fixtures, pipes, and appliances, shortening their life span and interfering with water pressure, and causing blockages.

Soap does not lather well in hard water and leaves scum on fixtures, shower doors, and sinks. Hard water may leave stains on glassware and dishes and leave laundry looking dingy and feeling stiff.

That hard water soap scum can irritate sensitive skin, making it feel dry and itchy.

Benefits of Installing a Whole-House Water Softener System

At PDM, we always aim to recommend products and services that benefit your household. Here are a few advantages of using a water softener:

Appliances, such as your water heater, will be less prone to limescale buildup and last longer.
Glassware and dishes will look cleaner without hard water stains, and laundry will be brighter.
Soap scum on bathroom and kitchen surfaces will be a thing of the past.
Blocked pipes from limescale buildup will be less likely.
Your skin may feel and look better after bathing with softened water.

You can count on our team to correctly install your water softening system so that you enjoy the most value from it. At PDM, we offer convenient financing options (subject to approved credit) to help you purchase your plumbing system.

How Does a Water Softener Work?

The typical water softener replaces calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. As water enters the water softener's main tank, it passes through resin beads that have absorbed sodium.

The calcium and magnesium in the water are positively charged and attracted to the negatively charged resin. They cling to the beads while the softened water leaves the tank for distribution through your Illinois home's plumbing system.

The system must be cleaned every few days with salt water to recharge the resin beads and remove the mineral deposits. A separate tank holds salty water for the cleaning and recharging process, and connects to the main softening tank. A valve controls the amount of water used during cleaning and recharging.

The sodium tank typically can be refilled with salt pellets. Some softening systems use potassium rather than salt.

Water Softeners Versus Water Conditioners

You may have heard about salt-free alternatives to water softeners called water conditioners. Water conditioners make the minerals less abrasive but do not remove them all.

Although water conditioners can significantly improve your water, scaling still is possible.

If you want to eliminate calcium and magnesium from your water, we recommend installing a water softener.

Some homeowners are interested in water conditioners because they require less maintenance than water softeners. If maintenance is your concern, let our qualified pros at PDM handle the work for you. We can install and maintain your system while you enjoy softened water in your home.

Take Steps to Improve Your Water Quality Today

Enjoy cleaner water and fewer plumbing problems at your Shorewood, IL, area home with a whole-house water softener. Contact PDM to schedule an in-home assessment. Call us today at (815) 390-7095 or request service online.