Water Softener Installation & Repair
Set up a softener for scale, or revive one that has quit working.
Homeowner guide
Hard Water in Commerce City, CO: Do You Need a Softener?
Hard water is water with dissolved calcium and magnesium. It leaves scale on faucets and inside water heaters. Whether you need a softener depends on your tap, your appliances and how much you notice the effects.
By the Mile High Express Plumbing team · published
What hard water is
As water travels through soil and rock it picks up calcium and magnesium. They are harmless to drink, but they leave a chalky film as water dries and a crust when it is heated. Hardness is stated in grains per gallon or milligrams per liter, and one grain per gallon works out to roughly 17.1 milligrams per liter.
Water softer than about 3.5 grains per gallon is considered soft. Moderately hard water runs from roughly 3.5 to 7. Hard water is above that. Very hard water often leaves visible scale on a showerhead within weeks.
What the local utilities report
According to the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, central softening began in 2021 and brings average hardness down to 7 grains per gallon, about 115 milligrams per liter. The district's about page names shallow alluvial wells as its main source, with treated water purchased from Denver Water.
Denver Water reports that its supply is soft to moderately hard and tends to be harder in winter. Which water reaches your tap depends on where you live and the time of year, so check the most recent water quality report for your address.
Hardness scale in grains per gallon
A handy key for reading a water quality report.
| Category | Grains per gallon | What shows up |
|---|---|---|
| Soft | Below roughly 3.5 | Barely any scale |
| Moderately hard | About 3.5 to 7 | Spotting and mild scale |
| Hard | Over 7 | Thick scale on fixtures and heaters |
Signs you may have a scale problem
Spots on glasses and shower doors, a crust at the base of faucets, a showerhead that sprays sideways and a kettle that scales up fast are the usual signs. Soap may lather less and skin may feel dry after a shower.
The hidden damage happens in the water heater. Scale collects on the floor of a tank and on a tankless unit's heat exchanger. It blankets the element or burner, so the heater works harder and wastes energy.
What a water softener does
A salt-based softener exchanges calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium on a bed of resin, then rinses the resin with brine on a schedule. Softened water reaches the entire house, which cuts scale and can prolong appliance life. Plan on salt, a drain connection and occasional upkeep.
A salt-free conditioner changes how the minerals behave without removing them. It can reduce scale buildup but does not give the slick feel of fully softened water. A softener installation or repair visit explains the options for your house.
Softeners and low pressure
The district's FAQ lists a malfunctioning water softener as a common cause of low pressure inside a home. A clogged resin bed, a stuck valve head or a fouled injector can restrict flow. If your pressure fell after a regeneration cycle, the softener is the first suspect.
A softener installed on a house already supplied with centrally softened water may be unnecessary. Ask a plumber to test your actual hardness before you buy one.
Filters are not softeners
A carbon filter improves taste and smell. A sediment filter catches grit. Neither removes hardness. If you want better drinking water as well as softer water, a point-of-use filter under the sink pairs well with a softener. A water filtration visit can match the filter to what you want removed.
Read the water quality report before you buy equipment. It lists what the utility tests for, and it can steer you away from a filter that does not target your concern.
Care for your water heater
Flush a tank water heater once a year to clear sediment, and check the anode rod every few years. A tankless descaling service clears scale from the heat exchanger. These steps matter most where the water is on the harder side.
A lower water heater temperature also reduces scale formation, since mineral deposits increase as water gets hotter.
Is a softener worth it?
If scale is minor and your appliances are healthy, a softener may not be worth the cost. If you see heavy buildup, replace fixtures often or want to protect a new tankless heater, it can pay for itself. Weigh the salt, the water used in regeneration and the maintenance too.
A plumber can run a hardness test in a few minutes. Test the tap you actually use, not a sample from the utility's report.
Testing your own water
Hardness test strips cost a few dollars and give a quick reading. Fill a clear bottle halfway with tap water, add a few drops of liquid soap and shake it. Lots of suds means soft water. A cloudy bottle with few suds means hard water.
For a precise number, ask a plumber for a titration test or send a sample to a lab. Test water from a tap that has not passed through a softener, and test again in winter, since the Denver Water supply tends to be harder in that season.
Hard water and appliances
Dishwashers, washing machines and coffee makers collect scale on heating elements and in valves. Run a descaling cycle with vinegar or a store product at the interval the manual suggests. Use less detergent than the box suggests, since hard water needs a smaller amount to work in many modern machines.
A scaled showerhead can be soaked in vinegar overnight. Aerators screw off in seconds and soak the same way. These small steps keep fixtures working between professional visits.
Common questions
Hard water questions
Yes. The minerals are not a health concern for most people. The effects are on fixtures, appliances and skin feel.
The South Adams County district reports an average of 7 grains per gallon since central softening began in 2021. Check the latest report for your address.
Slightly. Softened water has a small amount of sodium or potassium added. A separate drinking water filter can polish the taste.
Scale can build up on the heat exchanger and reduce efficiency. Regular descaling prevents it.
Services that help
Water Filtration Installation
Put in whole-house or under-sink filters to improve taste, odor and clarity.
Tankless Water Heater Service
Descale, flush, troubleshoot or replace an on-demand water heater.
Keep reading
Water heater flush and maintenance
A yearly flush and a quick check of the anode rod and relief valve can add years to a tank water heater.
Low water pressure causes
Weak flow at one tap and weak flow everywhere have different causes. A few checks narrow it down fast.
Running toilet fix
A running toilet wastes a lot of water. Most are fixed by a flapper, a chain or a fill valve in minutes.
Scale on everything?
Phone in and tell us what you are noticing. A local contractor will be arranged.