Is It Time For a New Install?
Whether you're replacing an aging unit or installing your first softener, these are the situations that usually bring homeowners to us.
When you schedule an installation, we'll ask whether you're replacing an existing softener or installing one for the first time, plus where your main line and any drain access are located. That way we bring the right fittings and hardware.
We confirm the install location, connect the new unit to your main line and drain, and remove the old system if there was one. We test the full setup before considering the job finished.
We run the new softener through its first regeneration cycle, show you how to check and refill salt, and walk through anything specific to your model. The work area is cleaned up before we head out.
Full-Service Installation Specialists
PlumbSmart handles both swap-outs and first-time installs, including the plumbing tie-in, drain line routing, and any permitted work your install requires. We size the unit to your household before anything gets connected.
We confirm your new softener completes a full regeneration cycle and test your water before considering the job done. If something isn't right after we leave, call us and we'll come back and fix it.
You'll get an itemized quote before installation starts, and we keep you posted if the scope changes. What's on the quote is what shows up on the invoice.
Replacing a softener that's already plumbed in is usually the simpler job. The connections, bypass valve, and drain line are already in place, so most of the work is disconnecting the old unit, setting the new one, and reconnecting cleanly.
Installing a softener where one has never existed is a different project. We need to tie into your main water line, figure out where the drain line will run, and confirm there's enough space and access near the connection point. We walk the location with you before quoting so there are no surprises once we start.
Getting the sizing and placement right up front avoids problems down the line. Here's what we look at on every installation, new or replacement:
Did you know that approximately 9-13% of our service calls are to come out to fix other companies' mistakes?
From Downtown to the Suburbs
We've installed softeners in tight utility closets downtown and in larger mechanical rooms in newer suburban builds. Every home is laid out differently, and we plan the install around yours.
Diane Mcelroy
Recent Google review
I am having a weird issue with intermittent dampness in my garage. Roger spent about 1.5 hours trying to locate the problem. He assured me it was not a plumbing problem and told me not to worry about the service call.
Andrew Schaffrinna
Recent Google review
Joey was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Excellent service, excellent advice, went above and beyond by providing me with recommendations on how to prevent future issues. Highly recommend.
Kristi Lopez
Recent Google review
So happy with our new system! The team was absolutely fantastic! Thank you!
Svetla McPhie
Recent Google review
PlumbSmart was the only plumbing company that responded the same day to fix a leak. Excellent work and coordination. All over great team.
Plumbing disasters don't wait for business hours. Our expert team is ready to roll at any moment's notice, day or night, to handle your emergencies.
Swapping an existing softener for a new one usually takes two to four hours. Installing a softener where one has never existed can take longer, since we may need to run a drain line and tie into the main water line in a new spot. We'll give you a specific timeline after seeing your setup.
Most straightforward softener installations don't require a separate permit, but it can depend on whether new plumbing lines or a drain connection need to be added. If your install requires permitted work, PlumbSmart handles that as part of the job.
Softeners need a drain line for the regeneration cycle, typically routed to a floor drain, a standpipe, or a laundry drain nearby. If your install location doesn't have one of these close by, we'll talk through the best way to route it during the estimate.
In most cases, yes. We look at available space, access to your main line, and drain options before recommending a location. Some high-efficiency units also have a smaller footprint if space is tight.
We disconnect and remove the old unit as part of the installation, so you're not left figuring out how to haul it away yourself. We'll also cap or reroute any old fittings that are no longer needed.
Did you know that approximately 9-13% of our service calls are to come out to fix other companies' mistakes?
From the Blog
Practical tips and local insights from the PlumbSmart team.
1233 Safari St, San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 810-0810Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Installation calls fall into two groups. Some homeowners already have a softener and just need it swapped for a new one once the old unit stops being worth repairing. Others are installing for the first time, often after moving into a home or finally getting tired of scale everywhere.
The swap is the quicker job because the plumbing tie-in and drain line already exist. A first-time install takes more planning: where the unit sits, where the main line runs, and where the drain line for regeneration will go. We walk that through with you on-site before we quote anything.
Either way, the unit gets sized to your household, connected cleanly, and tested through a full cycle before we consider the job finished. You shouldn't have to wonder whether it's actually working.