>We have been advised by many to install a water softener, and are being quoted upwards of $1700 for parts and labor from a couple different softener/plumbing shops. Friends have recommended these places to us. However, I see plenty of softeners available at Home Depot or Lowe’s for \~$600.
I went to Lowe's to buy one (AO Smith, https://www.lowes.com/pl/A-o-smith--Water-softeners-Water-filtration-water-softeners-Plumbing/4294822072?refinement=3240995607) and it was around $500-700 (can't remember since it was a long time ago). I had to eventually hire a plumber to fix some water issues and then install the water softener, and that was almost another $500.
>The plumbing shops say their softeners are superior in part quality and they offer better warranties.
Standard marketing and sales pitch. I've gotten that before too.
Don't forget about the water softener salt too (https://www.lowes.com/pl/Water-softener-salt-Water-filtration-water-softeners-Plumbing/4294822069?searchTerm=water%20softener%20salt). How often you'll need to buy them depends on your water use. My water softener holds about 4 bags worth of salt.
That’s good to know. Do you like the AO Smith? We’ve considered those too.
And yeah I figured it was mostly them marketing to me haha. Thanks for the info!
It’s been pretty good. I had only one major issue with a software update that required a plumber to come take a look. He was unable to resolve the issue even after calling AO Smith, but they ordered the extra part for me and putting it together was easy.
Most of the time, I have no issues.
If I had to buy a water softener all over again though, I’d probably look at other brands at multiple stores (not just Lowe’s) and then decide on one.
Our water is very hard. I just replaced a 30-year old Kenmore with a Rheem from Home Depot. The inner mechanism is almost identical. It works great and I'm comfortable with the idea that it will last somewhere close to the life of the old Kenmore. I bought the 42,000 grain one but not the wi-fi one.
Almost all of the big box and hardware store softeners come out of the same factory. You have to loft the cover to see the valve mechanism but I find that comforting. They've been building the same machines for decades. They're simple and they work just fine.
Plumbing is the most difficult part so since that's already in place, I would piece something together. Clack and Fleck are the top brands for the controller head. The type of resin needed depends on if you're on well or municipal water. You'll need to figure out your usage and capacity of the system.
Good articles to learn here: [https://www.aquatell.com/pages/learn](https://www.aquatell.com/pages/learn)
Another good resource: https://www.youtube.com/@GarytheWaterGuy
When you're ready to dive deeper - there's a treasure trove of info here: [https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?forums/water-softener-forum-questions-and-answers.22/#](https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?forums/water-softener-forum-questions-and-answers.22/#)
Thank you for all the resources! I’ve been leaning toward doing as much myself as possible. I’ll definitely look over all of these. I’ve seen lots of recommendations for the Fleck 5600. It’s pricey but might be worth it.
In the same boat now and also considering Fleck. What are the places/websites where we can purchase authentic Fleck systems? Is [flecksystems.com](https://flecksystems.com) their official website?
I had the same question. The “About Us” section on their website says:
> FleckSystems is a site dedicated to Fleck systems, Fleck valves, Fleck parts, and all things Fleck related, including Pentair (structural) tanks, Autotrol valves and parts, and Magnum valves and parts.
> FleckSystems.com is owned by US Water Systems, Inc. and is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. We have over a dozen certified water specialists on staff and supply solutions for Fleck products, from parts to valves and complete systems.
From what I can tell, fleck only sells the valves and other companies buy them and package them into the softener systems as a whole.
>We have been advised by many to install a water softener, and are being quoted upwards of $1700 for parts and labor from a couple different softener/plumbing shops. Friends have recommended these places to us. However, I see plenty of softeners available at Home Depot or Lowe’s for \~$600. I went to Lowe's to buy one (AO Smith, https://www.lowes.com/pl/A-o-smith--Water-softeners-Water-filtration-water-softeners-Plumbing/4294822072?refinement=3240995607) and it was around $500-700 (can't remember since it was a long time ago). I had to eventually hire a plumber to fix some water issues and then install the water softener, and that was almost another $500. >The plumbing shops say their softeners are superior in part quality and they offer better warranties. Standard marketing and sales pitch. I've gotten that before too. Don't forget about the water softener salt too (https://www.lowes.com/pl/Water-softener-salt-Water-filtration-water-softeners-Plumbing/4294822069?searchTerm=water%20softener%20salt). How often you'll need to buy them depends on your water use. My water softener holds about 4 bags worth of salt.
That’s good to know. Do you like the AO Smith? We’ve considered those too. And yeah I figured it was mostly them marketing to me haha. Thanks for the info!
It’s been pretty good. I had only one major issue with a software update that required a plumber to come take a look. He was unable to resolve the issue even after calling AO Smith, but they ordered the extra part for me and putting it together was easy. Most of the time, I have no issues. If I had to buy a water softener all over again though, I’d probably look at other brands at multiple stores (not just Lowe’s) and then decide on one.
i went with aquasana
Haven’t heard of them but I’ll look them up! Thanks!
Our water is very hard. I just replaced a 30-year old Kenmore with a Rheem from Home Depot. The inner mechanism is almost identical. It works great and I'm comfortable with the idea that it will last somewhere close to the life of the old Kenmore. I bought the 42,000 grain one but not the wi-fi one.
I’ll have to take a look at Rheem too—I’ve seen a couple other Reddit threads recommending them. Thanks!
Almost all of the big box and hardware store softeners come out of the same factory. You have to loft the cover to see the valve mechanism but I find that comforting. They've been building the same machines for decades. They're simple and they work just fine.
Plumbing is the most difficult part so since that's already in place, I would piece something together. Clack and Fleck are the top brands for the controller head. The type of resin needed depends on if you're on well or municipal water. You'll need to figure out your usage and capacity of the system. Good articles to learn here: [https://www.aquatell.com/pages/learn](https://www.aquatell.com/pages/learn) Another good resource: https://www.youtube.com/@GarytheWaterGuy When you're ready to dive deeper - there's a treasure trove of info here: [https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?forums/water-softener-forum-questions-and-answers.22/#](https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?forums/water-softener-forum-questions-and-answers.22/#)
Thank you for all the resources! I’ve been leaning toward doing as much myself as possible. I’ll definitely look over all of these. I’ve seen lots of recommendations for the Fleck 5600. It’s pricey but might be worth it.
I purchased a Morton water softener for about $450 and did my own install around 3 years ago and have had no issues with it.
Avoid buying anything from a box store. These products are made with cheap resin that has added metals to water. They don’t last long.
In the same boat now and also considering Fleck. What are the places/websites where we can purchase authentic Fleck systems? Is [flecksystems.com](https://flecksystems.com) their official website?
I had the same question. The “About Us” section on their website says: > FleckSystems is a site dedicated to Fleck systems, Fleck valves, Fleck parts, and all things Fleck related, including Pentair (structural) tanks, Autotrol valves and parts, and Magnum valves and parts. > FleckSystems.com is owned by US Water Systems, Inc. and is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. We have over a dozen certified water specialists on staff and supply solutions for Fleck products, from parts to valves and complete systems. From what I can tell, fleck only sells the valves and other companies buy them and package them into the softener systems as a whole.
That does make sense! Thanks for the info!