Softening Systems
Softening Systems | Water Purification | Plumbing | Signal Mountain
From steep brow vistas to cozy valley homes, Signal Mountain families trust HEPâs master plumbers to tame hard minerals and hidden contaminants alike. Our advanced softening systems dissolve stubborn calcium and magnesium before they ever etch your faucets, while multi-stage filters strip away chlorine taste, sediment, and even microscopic impuritiesâleaving every sip crisp, every shower gentler on skin and hair. All equipment is sized for the unique flow demands of mountain living, installed cleanly, and backed by 24/7 local support.
Choose a single appliance upgrade or let us design a whole-home solution that blends seamlessly with your existing plumbing. Youâll notice brighter laundry, clearer ice cubes, and longer-lasting appliances within daysâplus the peace of mind that comes with true water purification done the HEP way. Call today and feel the difference straight from the tap.
FAQs
Why do homes in Signal Mountain need a water-softening system?
Municipal and well testing in the Signal Mountain and greater Hamilton County area typically shows hardness levels between 8â12 grains per gallon (gpg), which is considered âhard.â Hard water leaves scale on plumbing fixtures, shortens the life of water-using appliances, and makes soaps less effective. A properly sized softening system exchanges the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness for harmless sodium or potassium ions, protecting your plumbing and improving water quality throughout the house.
How does a water softener differ from a water purification or filtration system?
A water softener targets hardness minerals only, using an ion-exchange resin charged with sodium or potassium. A purification or filtration systemâsuch as carbon filtration, reverse osmosis (RO), or UVâremoves or neutralizes other contaminants like chlorine, chloramines, lead, pesticides, and microorganisms. Many Signal Mountain customers combine a whole-house softener with a dedicated RO drinking tap to achieve both soft water and high-purity drinking water.
What size and type of softener is best for my Signal Mountain household?
Sizing depends on three factors: your homeâs hardness level, the number of occupants, and daily water usage. Most single-family homes in the area do well with a 32,000- to 48,000-grain metered softener. Households using well water sometimes need larger capacities or specialized resin to handle iron and manganese. A site visit and a free water analysis let our plumbers recommend the precise unitâcabinet style, twin-tank, or high-efficiency upflowâto balance performance, salt use, and budget.
What maintenance is required for a water-softening system?
Routine care is minimal. 1) Keep the brine tank at least one-third full of solar or pellet salt, refilling every 4â8 weeks. 2) Annually, have our technicians check the resin bed, clean the venturi and brine line, and sanitize the system. 3) Every 5â7 years, the resin may need replacement if you have high iron or heavy chlorine. We offer economical maintenance plans for Signal Mountain residents that include salt delivery and yearly inspections.
Will a softener add too much sodium to my drinking water?
The ion-exchange process adds about 7.5 mg of sodium per quart for each grain of hardness removed. With Signal Mountainâs average of 10 gpg, that is roughly 75 mg per quartâless than the sodium in a slice of bread. If you are on a low-sodium diet or prefer zero added minerals, pair the softener with a reverse osmosis drinking system; the RO membrane strips out up to 97% of all dissolved solids, including the added sodium.
What is the installation process and cost for a softening system in Signal Mountain?
After a free on-site water test and plumbing evaluation, we provide a written quote that includes the system, bypass valves, plumbing labor, and a one-year workmanship warranty. Most standard installs take 3â4 hours and cost $1,400â$2,200 for a high-efficiency metered softener. Options such as well pretreatment, iron filters, or whole-home carbon add to the price. Our plumbers obtain any required Hamilton County permits, and financing with low monthly payments is available.