Water Filtration, Conditioning & Softener Installation

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Frisco Water Softeners & Filtration Systems

You do a lot to make sure your family is safe and healthy, from planning healthy meals to scrutinizing product labels for harmful substances. But the natural water that enters your home —either from the city or a well—isn’t always up to your standards. Whether you’ve noticed an unpleasant smell or taste, lingering spots on your dishes or laundry, or even effects on your skin and hair, a Frisco water softener or water filtration system can do wonders.

It’s easy to take our easy access to safe and clean drinking water at the simple turn of a tap for granted. At Earl’s Plumbing, our team can help you take control of what’s in your home’s drinking water.

No one expects to have to spend the money they were saving up on a sudden plumbing problem. We understand that, and that’s why at Earl’s Plumbing, our goal is to provide you with the best option available at the best price. In fact, unlike many sales commission-type plumbing companies, we will always try to make a repair rather than a replacement when it makes long-term economical sense. If you suspect you have a meter leak, give our Frisco plumbers a call today!

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Got Questions?… We Have Your Answers…

These are the most common questions that we get asked from our customers.

What is the Difference Between a Frisco Water Softener and Water Filter/Conditioning System?

When it comes to Frisco water quality, there are actually 4 different products that you can install in your home. Because of the space required to discuss each of those, we will need to refer you to our “Water Quality BLOG Page.” For the condensed abbreviated version, continue reading. The systems that will improve your water quality are:

1) Whole House Water Softener System

Most systems are pretty standard and similar. All use salt tablets as the primary softening agent. Some can reduce the hardness a little more than others. Technically the water in North Texas is only considered “moderately hard” at 8.6 grains of hardness but this is all a personal preference. There are several negative consequences that one must consider when adding a salt tablet water softener.

2) Whole House Water Filtration System

There are significant differences in the multitude of various brands and models. The most significant and meaningful differences that must be considered are: 1) levels of filtration and what is removed; 2) frequency of maintenance to include filters or media change out and this ranges from “Every 6 Months” TO “None for 10 years”; 3) life expectancy and warranty; 4) flow rates in gallons per minute (GPM’s) to ensure that the overall water pressure is not decreased; etc.

3) Water Conditioning System

An alternative to “Salt Tablet” based water softener systems. There are multiple conditioning systems / processes. One of the most popular techniques is called “template assisted crystallization” or “TAC.” There is also a proprietary product from HALO Water Systems that is called the “HALO Ion.”

4) Reverse Osmosis System (aka “RO System”)

An RO system is a “point of use” water filtration system. Typically, these are installed at / under the kitchen sink but could be installed anywhere that you want or need filtered water. If you have a traditional salt tablet water softener then you will also need an RO system to filter the sodium and contaminants out of your drinking & cooking water. RO systems are NOT needed and would be redundant if your house has just a Whole House Water Filtration system. RO systems require ongoing period filter changes (varies), and the water pressure will be minimal.

What is the Best Water Filtration System for DFW Homes?

Our opinion is based on firsthand experience with installing various brands of “customer supplied” systems as well as hundreds of service calls & repairs. There are two systems that stand out above all others. The first is HALO Water Systems or more specifically the HALO 5 Whole House Water Filtration System. HALO offers a full line of different water quality products to include water softeners and RO systems. HALO Water Systems is considered the industry leader in water quality. Based on our experiences, a few things that separates the HALO 5 (and most of their other products as well) from the other systems in the industry is:

  • Extreme Water Filtration – the HALO 5 removes more chemicals & contaminants than any other filtration system on the market
  • Warranty – the HALO 5 has a 10 year warranty that is NOT pro-rated
  • Gallon Capacity – HALO 5 has different levels based on size of home and water line size and has a capacity of up to 2M gallons
  • Minimal Water Pressure Reduction – unlike other systems, when properly sized you will experience minimal to zero pressure reduction
  • Water Conditioning – HALO has a proprietary water conditioning system known as the “HALO Ion”
  • Zero Maintenance – The HALO 5 does not have any expensive filters to periodically change… Pretty much install it and forget it

A distant second in our rankings would be the full “a la carte” system from AquaSana. Their product is probably the second best in overall “level of filtration” and has a water conditioning feature that works via a process known as “Template Assisted Crystallization” or “TAC.” It sounds complicated, but the water passes through a proprietary media that is like thousands of tiny golf balls. This media crystallizes the lime, calcium and other minerals in the water that makes it hard. The crystallization does not soften the water, but it does prevent it from becoming sticky and will prevent scale build up in your pipes, water heaters, plumbing fixtures and shower glass. The AquaSana is a “distant second” in our rankings because we do see some slight but obvious water pressure reductions and because the life expectancy of 10 years is significantly overstated.

In summary, the HALO 5 and its sister products and the “runner up” AquaSana system are both FAR superior to any other Frisco water treatment system that we have seen, installed or worked on in the North Texas area.

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Frisco Water Softener OR Water Filtration System?

The installation price for any system varies considerably from one house to the next and from brand to brand. The biggest impact on the installation cost is finding a suitable location in proximity to the main water line and a sanitary sewer line to dump the waste water discharge. Unless you paid to have a “softener loop” installed at the time of construction then this could be a complicated and significant project when done properly. The use of the word “properly” cannot be emphasized enough! It is rare – like less than 40% of the time – that we see a softener or water filter system “properly” installed.

The cost of the system(s) also plays a significant part in the overall cost. Most water softener systems are all relatively in the same ballpark. However, brands are better than others, and some models have the ability to adjust the softness more than others. Softeners pretty much all operate and function the same and are all within a couple hundred dollars of each other.

Now when talking about whole house water filtration systems in Frisco the gaps and differences are night and day between brands, models, and capabilities. From levels of filtration TO water conditioning features TO limited reduction in water pressure…not all brands are the same and some brands and models are significantly different than others. Then there are brands and models available online that require you to replace the filters every 6 months versus models like the HALO 5 that can go 10 years or 1 million plus gallons without any maintenance. If you do the math, filter replacement alone could exceed $5000 over the life of those types of units. The adage of “you get what you pay for” definitely applies to whole house water filtration systems.

PLEASE NOTE…it is NEVER acceptable to drill a hole through the side of your house to bring the water lines from the ground and through the brick exterior / siding. AND almost every city in DFW requires a backflow prevention device known as an RPZ to be installed on all water softener and filtration systems. AND all systems (except RO Systems) are required to be permitted and inspected by the city in which you live.

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How Much Does it Cost to Install a Water Filtration OR Water Softener System in North Texas?

The installation price for any Frisco water treatment system varies considerably from one home to the next. One of the main factors regarding installation cost is where the main water line comes into the home relative to where the softener / filtration system will need to be installed. An example of this variable would be a home that has a driveway / garage in the front versus an alley driveway / garage in the rear. Most homes in North Texas have both the water line and sewer line that enter or extend from the home at the front, not the rear. For the purposes of this comparison, let us assume that the only suitable location for a softener / filtration system is the garage (very common) and that your garage is in the rear of an alley / garage home. Obviously, we have to get the main water line rerouted from the front of the home to the rear, go through the system of your choice and then brought back to its origin so that the entire house is protected / covered. The rerouting of the water lines (and possible drain line) requires an excavated trench and sometimes this trench may have to navigate a sidewalk or driveway. Excavation, if required, will vary by job and scope of work but it is one of the more expensive & time consuming items that a plumber will do. In summary, a large portion of the cost has to do with the way the home was designed & built at the time of construction. UNLESS you have a “softener loop” pre-installed at the time of construction.

Because of the differing variables from one home to another, we cannot provide a price, a high / low range or even an average for a typical system. But in an attempt to be as transparent as possible, we will try to provide a high / low range for the various components or “scopes of work” of a system installation. For clarification, the only difference in a water softener installation VS a water filtration system install is the system or equipment itself. The labor and materials to plumb the water lines & drains are the same regardless of the system and BOTH systems will require an RPZ backflow protection device of appropriate size.

Below are itemized ranges for the various aspects of a typical system install. Some of these tasks may OR may not apply to your individual home and installation scope of work.

System Cost Range CUSTOMER PURCHASED PROVIDED – $800 to $3000

  • Varies by brand & overall quality. Factor in ongoing maintenance & filter replacements every 6 months over 10 years and expect that the current price will almost assuredly increase over the 10 year period of time. Systems that require periodic filter changes will easily exceed $5000 in lifetime replacements with far less filtering quality and decreased water pressure!

System Cost Range EARL’S PLUMBING PROVIDED “HALO WATER SYSTEMS” – $1600 to $3500

  • Varies based on size & model. NO maintenance or filter replacements on most HALO systems along with ‘best in industry’ warranty.

Installation Cost Range – $1000 to $1700

  • Basic Labor & Materials varies based existing “softener loop” VS if water line & drain are readily accessible at install location.

RPZ Backflow Preventer Device Installation Range – $1400 to $2500

  • Varies based on water line size & sanitary drain options.

Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) Replacement & Relocation – $300 to $650

  • Varies based on water line size, current age & condition, if present in the wall VS in flowerbed at junction site.

Basic Excavation & Slab Coring – $1400 to $1800

  • May not be applicable. Only required when the line and/or drain are not readily accessible inside at the planned install location.

Water Line & Drain Line Discharge Trenching – $500 to $4500

  • May not be applicable for every job and lengths of trenching vary based on location of incoming main line relative to install location.

Misc Other Charges – Permit & Inspection Fees, 3rd Party Testing,

Electrical, etc. – $350 to $800

  • An electrical outlet is required to be in the general vicinity of the planned install location for MOST whole house systems.

In summary, an Earl’s Plumbing provided whole house HALO Water Softener AND/OR Water Filtration system in Frisco ranges between $5,200 to $10,900. If you really want to be protected from impurities & contaminants AND have soft water, you will need BOTH a Softener and a Filtration system installed. The basic install price to have BOTH systems installed would likely start at around $8,500 and go up from there based on home specific requirements & location.

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Do I Need a Water Softener in North Texas?

Technically speaking, with only a handful of exceptions the water in both Collin and Denton counties is only considered “Moderately Hard” by most standards. The average annual water hardness throughout the area is around 8.6 GPG (grains per gallon). Compare that with a city like Lubbock which is 15.0 GPG or one of the worst in the state, Midland which is 30.0 and you would agree that North Texas is considerably lower in comparison.

Therefore, the need for a water softener in North Texas is just a personal preference. If you grew up with soft water and like that soft water (slick) feeling, then that might be the way to go. The only way to make water soft is with a salt tablet softener system, and that comes with some monthly expense and a few potential negative drawbacks. Additionally, you would also need a Reverse Osmosis System (RO System) for your drinking water.

Because the water is only considered moderately hard, a water softener alternative to consider would be a “Whole House Water Filtration System.” More specifically, one that has a “Water Conditioning” feature. Not only will this remove all of the chemicals and contaminants from the water (certain brands are better than others), but some brands offer a “water conditioning” feature with their systems. The technologies to achieve this vary by brand and process used, but it does not “soften the water.” However, the “conditioning process” does make a difference in the feel, taste and appearance, especially in regards to the residuals that are left behind on your fixtures (scale build up) and shower glass.

Is a Frisco Water Softener Safe for My Pipes?

Water softeners in Frisco and the surrounding areas remove the minerals that cause scale buildup. This makes the water feel “soft” and will also prevent scale buildup in the copper water lines, brass fittings (PEX houses), faucets, fixtures, and shower glass. Water softeners also have a significant positive impact on scale build up or the “calcification” of tankless water heaters.

Although water softeners have positive impacts on most of your plumbing throughout your house, softened water does have a negative effect on the longevity of a traditional storage tank type water heater. The softened water which now has trace elements of sodium from the salt tablets used in the softening process, will significantly reduce the life of the anode rod(s) inside the water heater. By “significant effect” we mean that a typical anode rod will last approximately 4 years, and when exposed to “salt tablet softened water,” the anode rod could last as little as 6 months. For those not aware, the “self-sacrificing anode rod” is the primary component that protects the water heater from premature leaks and allows the manufacturer to offer an extended warranty period. The better the quality of anode rod, the longer the warranty. For more information on tank water heaters (common questions about function and operation), please see that web page.

There are some considerations if you have a tank water heater and a softener. The first and easiest is just being very proactive in replacing them as they age. Especially if the heaters are located in your attic or above a living area. You can also replace the anode rod with an electronic anode rod that will last the life of your Frisco water heater.

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Does a Water Softener OR Water Filtration System Installation Require a City Permit?

Absolutely it does! In fact, we see more water softeners and water filtration systems installed incorrectly or improperly than we do see done right. Easily 60% of the systems that we see on service calls & repairs for Collin & Denton are NOT properly installed. It is often apparent that most of these systems were not done by a licensed plumber. BUT it is important to note that even if the system is/was inspected by the city, that does NOT mean that it is installed “properly.” That just means that no codes were violated. Using inexpensive or improper fittings that are commonly prone to failure is not a code violation.

One of the biggest issues that we see is the improper routing of the water lines. Instead of keeping the water lines below the ground where they are protected from freezing weather, UV ray degradation, and rodent damage; we often see where unlicensed 3rd party installers drill holes through the brick and wall and bring the water lines through these penetrations. Not only is it improper but it is also unsightly and ripe for all sorts of mishaps. Prime example, every time there is a freeze event affecting DFW the vast majority of the calls in the early stages are from homes with no water pressure. This is a result of frozen water lines! And in almost every single instance (98%+), they have a water softener and/or filtration system where the water lines were installed by penetrating the brick exterior. And once they freeze there is nothing we can do! And when this happens the homeowner cannot run water through the protected lines in their home to prevent them from also freezing. This eposes your entire home to potential catastrophic damage.

Also, most cities in DFW & North Texas require water softeners AND/OR water filtration systems to have a properly sized backflow protection device. This is commonly called an “RPZ.” This required device is not inexpensive and is often one of the reasons that a 3rd party unlicensed installer is “cheaper” than a licensed plumber! If an RPZ is not present & properly installed, then this is not only is it “improper,” but it is also a code violation. Incidentally, an RPZ must be 3rd party tested & registered and then requires subsequent annual testing & certification.

Is Softened Water Safe to Drink OR Safe for my Lawn and Plants?

This is a debatable question, and it depends on who you ask and the overall quality of the system / brand you are installing.

A true water softener uses sodium chloride (salt) to create the soft water. The discharge or waste water of the softener system is filled with concentrated mineral contaminants, and this will damage your lawn and other surfaces. Therefore, it must be properly disposed of into your sanitary sewer system. This is specified by plumbing code and has many requirements.

In regards to the water that is produced from the softener system itself, there are trace elements of sodium (salt) left in the water. So, is it drinkable and/or useable on your lawn and plants?… As mentioned earlier, this varies based on the quality of the system being installed. However, virtually everyone with a water softener also installs a Reverse Osmosis Filter System for their drinking water. Or they drink bottled water only. The water is safe to consume in small quantities unless you happen to be on a strict sodium diet. As far as your lawn, plants, swimming pool and/or gardening goes; it is probably best to NOT use the softened water from the system. In an ideal world the water hose spigots would be separated from the softener system at the time of construction and “softener loop” would be installed. However, this would need to be specified prior to building the home and it is rarely the case in older homes that a system is being added to. Rest assured, if the system is installed properly, you can bypass the softener system temporarily with a few shutoff valves.

What is a “Softener Loop” and Why is it Important?

A “softener loop” is a term used by Frisco plumbers speaking specifically to the expectation that a water softener OR water filtration system will be installed in that designated area. This work typically must be completed at the time of construction and therefore will likely be a request from the builder. Typically, this work will have a cost associated with it, but this additional cost for the “loop” during the time of construction will significantly reduce the cost of the installation of the system upon move in. The savings when a pre-installed softener loop is present is usually thousands.

A softener loop will generally consist of the main water line purposely protruding from the wall and then back into the wall. This is “the loop.” In this same area the line will have a main water shutoff and possibly a pressure reducing valve (PRV) if your city requires one. Usually, the system will require a PRV, and this can always be added during system installation. The designated “loop” area will also have an accessible sewer line very close so that the weekly waste water that is generated can be properly discharged. The designated area should also have an electrical outlet within 3-5 feet and when done properly, the lines for the water hose spigots will typically be run separately or before the loop line is created. This ensures that softened water (with sodium) is not used to water the grass, plants, garden, or for filling the pool.

How Our Frisco Plumbers Can Improve Your Water Quality in the DFW Area

The North Texas Municipal Water District treats water from a number of local lakes, rivers, and other water sources to direct into Frisco neighborhoods. Due to the high levels of minerals like calcium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, iron, and lime in that water, municipal water is considered to be “moderately hard.” On top of that, your water can include thousands of potentially harmful particles, elements, and debris that are invisible to the naked eye.

Our team can test your water and recommend a system, or install any type of water treatment system you’ve already purchased, including:

  • Whole-house water filtration systems
  • Whole-house water softeners
  • Point-of-use filtration systems

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Give Your Family the Gift of Pure Water in Frisco

When it comes to your family’s health and safety, you deserve a plumbing company that puts your best interests at heart. We have experience installing a number of leading water filtration and water softener brands, and we’re happy to make recommendations based on your home’s water quality, your budget, and your concerns. Give us a call to ask questions or schedule a service today!

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