Filtration And Softening
Filtration And Softening | Water Purification | Plumbing | Old Fort
Nestled between the rolling Blue Ridge foothills and the Catawba River, Old Fort enjoys an abundance of natural water—but iron, sulfur, sediment, and hard-water minerals can still sneak into your home’s supply. HEP’s Filtration & Softening team brings decades of plumbing expertise to safeguard your pipes, appliances, and family health with tailored water purification solutions. From whole-house carbon filters that capture chlorine taste and odor to ultra-efficient softeners that banish scale, we design systems that let every glass, shower, and load of laundry sparkle like mountain springwater.
Our local technicians handle everything—free water testing, swift installation, scheduled maintenance, and 24/7 emergency support—so you can enjoy consistently clean, gentle water without lifting a wrench. Investing in HEP means lower energy bills, longer-lasting fixtures, and the peace of mind that comes from drinking confidently straight from the tap. Let us show you how effortless pure water can be right here in Old Fort.
FAQs
Why do I need water filtration and softening in Old Fort?
Old Fort’s municipal and well-water sources can carry dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium (hardness), trace metals like iron, and occasional organic or microbial contaminants washed in from surface runoff. A combined filtration and softening system removes sediment, chlorine taste/odor, and microscopic impurities while preventing scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and appliances. The result is cleaner-tasting water, longer appliance life, fewer plumbing repairs, and lower energy costs due to improved heater efficiency.
What contaminants are common in the Old Fort area, and how does your system handle them?
Water tests in and around Old Fort often show: • Hardness minerals (calcium, magnesium) – removed through ion-exchange softening. • Iron and manganese – trapped by specialized media or a dedicated iron filter. • Sediment from aging distribution lines – captured by a 5-micron pre-filter. • Chlorine/chloramine used for disinfection – adsorbed by catalytic carbon. • Occasional agricultural nitrates or herbicide traces – reduced with reverse osmosis (RO) or selective media. Our technicians start with a free on-site test, then specify a multi-stage solution (sediment, carbon, softener, optional RO) that targets the exact profile of your water.
What is the difference between whole-house filtration and point-of-use systems?
Whole-house (point-of-entry) units treat every drop of water as it enters your plumbing, ensuring scale-free pipes, spotless fixtures, and improved laundry and bathing water. Point-of-use devices—such as an RO faucet under the kitchen sink—treat only the water used for cooking or drinking. Many homeowners in Old Fort pair a whole-house softener/carbon filter with a point-of-use RO system to achieve both broad protection and premium drinking water quality.
How much maintenance do filtration and softening systems require?
1. Sediment/carbon cartridges: Replace every 6–12 months, depending on water usage and sediment load. 2. Softener salt: Check the brine tank monthly; most households add 1–2 bags of salt pellets each month. 3. Softener resin bed: With proper salt levels, resin lasts 10–15 years before rebedding is needed. 4. RO membranes: Change every 2–3 years; pre-filters every 6–12 months. Our service plans include annual inspections, water re-testing, and all filter changes so you never miss a maintenance interval.
Will a softener add too much sodium to my drinking water, and is it safe?
During ion exchange, the softener replaces hardness minerals with sodium ions. The added sodium is minimal—about 18–30 mg per 8-oz glass for water at 10 grains/gal hardness, far below the FDA’s “very low sodium” threshold (35 mg). If you are on a strict sodium-restricted diet or prefer zero added sodium, we can install a potassium-chloride softener or a reverse osmosis tap that removes virtually all dissolved sodium for drinking and cooking.
What does professional installation cost and how long does the system last?
A typical whole-house softener plus carbon filter in Old Fort ranges from $1,800 to $3,200 installed, while an RO drinking system adds $350–$650. Exact pricing depends on flow rate needs, plumbing configuration, and selected features (Wi-Fi monitoring, upflow regeneration, etc.). The equipment is warrantied for 5–10 years, and most systems provide 15–20 years of reliable service with routine maintenance. Considering reduced soap use, lower energy bills, and extended appliance life, many homeowners see full payback within 3–5 years.