How to Find The Right Water Softener System
Brad Berdon • June 11, 2018

What type of water softener do I need for my home or business?

You have visited the right place to get the best advice for making this choice. Florida Water Technologies wants to ensure we are the right company to provide what you need and not deliver an over sell that some other companies may deliver. We believe that trust in our price and service is important to you and work hard to deliver.
What we hear from our customers:

Best Water Softeners? Fair Price, Quality Equipment, Prompt Customer Support

The internet offers a lot of opinions and information about hard water softeners here in Jacksonville, Florida and throughout the nation. You probably have questions about water softeners, hence the reason you are reading this article today. If you are unfamiliar with water softeners, then you may find conflicting data or analysis regarding what kind or what type of water softener is right for your needs. This is because water chemistry and plumbing codes differ from area to area, state to state. Using a well established highly reputable LOCAL water company is your best option for both product application and customer support and here is why.

Premium National Brands offer High Quality Products and Above average Customer Support (most of the time)

Doing business with a local water retailer, who has the backing of a national reputable brand, can be a great asset to you. Costing a small amount more than segment two below, One Person Businesses, the quality and customer support will more than out weigh the cost of purchasing from Florida Water Technologies.

Proper Insurance and Ongoing Training

Most national brands audit their certified and approved dealers annually for customer service reviews and insurances. The audit process is done before a national brand will distribute their water softeners in Jacksonville fl to provide protection for themselves and to assure protection for you the end user. For example, Florida Water Technologies carries max limits on general liability, workers compensation and commercial auto as a requirement of doing business with the national brands.

What product does Florida Water Technologies consider for installation in a residential or commercial property?

Our Premium Platinum Series product line exceeds the quality of wholesale brands in terms of efficiency, longevity and features. On average Clack water softeners are 50% more efficient than standard wholesale brands, and last 4 times as long than cheap water softeners in Jacksonville FL. Some whole sale brands like Fleck and Autotrol only last 3-5 years on hard Jacksonville FL water, while our Platinum Series can last up to 20 years or longer. I can’t think of one national premium brand that will allow their products to be distributed through a One Person Business that has a PO BOX for an address.

What is the price of a water softener system?

This is the most important question from our customers. How do I know I’m getting the right price for a water softener? Let’s break down three options available and the price range one may expect.

Professionally Installed – Florida Water Technologies

Premium Water Softeners with Fair Prices: $1900-$2190

There are a handful of  water softener companies in Jacksonville FL that offer a quality water softener at fair prices. The Dealer Benchmark Survey Prices revealed that $1983 including installation is the national average. Every year a third party company conducts a benchmark survey to the water treatment business. This survey consistently shows that most homeowners pay this price for the installation of a water softener system across America. As you can see these systems only cost $300-$500 more than one person business and offer a considerable increase in quality of product and customer support.

After the initial conversation with our prospects, they re-consider and want to understand more about the options available. They feel the price range is enough to consider an alternative, lower cost solution out there? You may be right, but here is what you may expect during that research process.

Florida Water Technologies Competitor Consideration

Premium Water Softeners – Over Priced: $3500-$6500+
Companies like Culligan Water, Pelican Water Systems, GE Avanta Pure, Rainsoft, and UDI have premium water systems at unfriendly prices.

Am I getting more by paying more? No.

But don’t take my word for it. All of the mentioned companies in this price point struggle to maintain a 3-star customer experience. Which means some people like the products and services but just as many strongly dislike the decision to purchase with one of them. Read the Google reviews you will learn the raw hard truth. People are upset because the customer service experience did not match what the salesman described. Sometimes you get more when you pay more and then sometimes you just pay more.

We have a full suite of analysis available for your review. Here is a comparison between the Culligan water softener system and our Platinum Series

One Person Managed Business Range: $1300-$1600

Very limited with product quality they are able to offer you and customer support is questionable, after all it’s only one person. The water softener systems they sell typically last roughly three to five years on hard Jacksonville water before major repairs or replacement is needed. The State of Florida has a low entry point of doing business for the sale and installation of water softeners. Therefore, some people try to run businesses from their garages. Often times, these companies offer suspect quality water softeners, and most to all do not carry any insurance. Let the buyer beware.

Do it Yourself : $400-$1200 (lowest price)

Price looks great until you ask your self a few questions:

How can these retailers offer a quality product at the cheapest price point?
They can’t. Cheap things are rarely good and good things are rarely cheap.

Am I Really going to Install  a Water Softener Myself?
Most homeowners in Jacksonville FL are not comfortable with installing a water softener themselves. Things like cutting the main water supply pipe can be intimidating and equally as intimidating is turning the water back on. Did i hook it all up correctly or will i flood my house when the water gets turned back on? Because of this some would elect then to hire a plumber to install these lower priced water softener systems.

How Much is a Plumber Going to Charge to Install a Store bought Unit? $300-$1500
A plumber will charge $300-$400 if you already have the water softener loop inside your garage. If you do not have the water softener loop then the Plumber will likely charge between $500 and $1500. It’s amazing how the price goes up if a plumber has to pickup a shovel. And after all this you have to ask yourself if you are actually saving money?

I hope this has helped you with your research. Water softeners in Jacksonville FL are a great benefit because our water is tremendously hard. These water softeners help protect your homes plumbing system and appliances and more. If you have a question for us please don’t hesitate to submit a comment or question and we will follow up with you promptly. Also, the prices above may vary depending on the quote includes the addition of a filtration system in addition to a water softener.

Why Don't Water Softeners Last Longer?

By Brad Berdon • May 9, 2024
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Is a Water Softener usually Installed next to the Water Heater?

By Brad Berdon • April 2, 2024
Although there are water pipes near the water heater, they may not be the right pipe to connect a water softener system. You see, the right pipe to connect a water softener to is the main supply pipe or service pipe. Connecting a water softener to the service pipe assures 100% soft water on both the cold and hot side of the plumbing system. Can the service pipe be located next to the water heater? Sometimes yes, but more often no. If your home has a water softener loop this means the service pipe is pre plumbed to a convenient location in the garage, often times near the water heater. If your home does not have the loop then you will have to located your main supply pipe to determine placement. Where is the Main Supply, or Service Pipe, at my house? To locate your service pipe the first thing you need to determine is where your water meter (out by the street) is located. Is it on the garage side or the non garage side of your home? In Jacksonville the water meter is a concrete box with the letters JEA on it. In St Johns/ St Augustine it's usually a plastic meter box with a bright blue lid. Standing out at the meter near the street, look up at your home. The plumber had to connect water to your home from this meter location. Usually, the path of least resistance is used to make this connection. 90% of the time the water enters the home on the same side of the home that the water meter is located. The point that the supply pipe enters your home (POE Point Of Entry) should be marked by a green plastic circle shaped lid. However, sometimes it gets buried under years of landscaping and mulch and sometimes it's not marked at all. Once the POE is located you can now determine where the water softener will be installed.

How to avoid a Salt Bridge in a Water softener System

By Brad Berdon • September 13, 2023
If a water softener system stops using salt you will not get soft water. The most common reason a water softener stops using salt is due to the formation of a "Salt Bridge". A Salt Bridge is a clump of salt that has been fused together due to moisture that's spans entire diameter of the salt tank. This clumped salt resembles concrete and is very hard to break up. Consequently, the salt bridge prevents the salt on top from coming in contact with the water beneath it. That is why we call it a Salt Bridge. How is a Salt Bridge formed? A salt bridge is formed when the dry salt is exposed to moisture. Moisture causes the once granular salt crystal or pellet to merge into one giant clump of salt. By chance if it makes it from one side of the tank to the other side a bridge is formed. Once the bridge of salt is formed the salt level will no longer go down. At this point the salt bridge needs to be broken up. How to remove a salt bridge. I hope you ate your Wheaties because removing a salt bridge can be intense. Once the salt has fused together the consistency resembles concrete. So, breaking it up will take some effort. Method 1. The Rubber Mallet First. Use a rubber mallet and gently tap/hit the side of the salt tank all around it. Next, grab the rim of the salt tank and give it a good shake. Note, the salt tank is hundreds of pounds so shaking it may be difficult for some people. Method 2. The Broom Stick If Method 1 did not work it's time to move onto method 2. Brut force and a firm tool. By using a broom stick, a shovel, or an iron rod, you will attack the salt bridge until you succeed. Start by removing all the loose salt from the salt tank into a bucket or onto a drop cloth. Once you see the bridge start pounding trying to locate a weak area of the bridge. Keep working the weak area until you make it all the way through the bridge. It might be a few inches to a foot thick. Then keep working the salt bridge until the entire bridge breaks up and falls down inside the salt tank. Remember, the greater the obstacle the greater the glory when you overcome it. Method 3. The Water Method If you cannot physically break through the salt bridge then you may have to add water. To do this, use a hose to spray water into one dedicated spot while continuing to work the area with a broom stick. The salt bridge will quickly give way however your salt tank will have a lot of water left in it. Stop spraying water and thoroughly break up the remaining clumps of salt. From here, place the system into regeneration either immediate (right now) or delayed (tonight at 2am). Different models of water softeners will have different configured buttons and programming. You may have to consult your owners manual. Note, adding water is an effective way at breaking up a salt bridge but all the salt gets wet during the process. Wet salt will have the potential to bridge again. If you have to use the water method, break up the salt daily to avoid another salt bridge. How to Avoid a Salt Bridge Preventing a salt bridge in a water softener system in Jacksonville FL is easy. Either before you refill a low/empty salt tank, or if you are filing the tank for the first time simply place two pieces of scrap pipe in the shape of an X. As the salt level lowers it falls around the pipes and avoids bridging. This is our standard practice when installing our water softener systems in Jacksonville FL.

Installing a Water Softener System Part 1

By Brad Berdon • April 30, 2022
The Drain As part of the water softener system regeneration process, it will produce discharge water that needs a place to drain. The water softener will need access to an effective drain that will discharge the water. The most common places to drain the water system discharge to is the washing machine drain, utility sink, […] The post Installing a Water Softener System Part 1 appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

Installing a Water Softener System Part 2

By Brad Berdon • April 29, 2022
The Water Supply Pipe Installing a water softener system is a great idea especially if you have hard water. Where will the water softener be installed? Will it go in the garage, if so where in the garage, or will it be installed outside on the side of the house. These are common issues we […] The post Installing a Water Softener System Part 2 appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

What a Water Softener System Does

By Brad Berdon • April 12, 2022
When a homeowner finds they have hard water a water softener system may help. This post answers the question, What Does These Systems actually do. You see, 85% of US homes have some level of hard water. Hard water forms white scale formations that can damage appliances and fixtures. Also, hard water makes cleaning harder […] The post What a Water Softener System Does appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

Why A Water Softener.

By Brad Berdon • February 3, 2022
When water is hard, it can clog pipes and soap will dissolve in it less easily. Water softening can prevent these negative effects.Hard water causes a higher risk of lime scale deposits in household water systems. Due to this lime scale build-up, pipes are blocked and the efficiency of hot boilers and tanks is reduced. […] The post Why A Water Softener. appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

3 Types of Water Filtration Systems

By Brad Berdon • November 3, 2021
The three types of water filtration systems are water softener systems,  a whole home filtration system, and drinking water systems. Here are the three water filtration systems that may be a fit for your home or business. Water Softener System Application: Hard water removal system The primary water concern in Jacksonville FL is excessive hard […] The post 3 Types of Water Filtration Systems appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

Water Softeners and Water Filtration Systems

By Brad Berdon • July 28, 2021
What they are and how they differ. A common question that we get every day is, “what’s the difference between a water softener and a water filtration system?” It’s a great question. Water softeners focuses only on the removal of hard water minerals (Calcium Carbonate CaCo3) to produce soft water. While a water filtration system […] The post Water Softeners and Water Filtration Systems appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.

How To Set the Hardness Level on a Water Softener in Jacksonville FL

By Brad Berdon • June 3, 2021
Setting the hardness level on a water softener in Jacksonville FL is simple. First, you have to know your water’s hardness. Secondly, you’ll have to know how to access the water softener hardness program screen. Once you have these two items you’re ready to go. Let’s take a closer look. Hardness Level Relevance Setting the […] The post How To Set the Hardness Level on a Water Softener in Jacksonville FL appeared first on Florida Water Technologies.
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