Water Softener Installation

Hard water is common in the North Bay, especially in areas that draw groundwater through limestone or mineral-rich soils.

If your home is affected by hard water, you’re probably already familiar with the signs, spotty dishes, dry skin, soap that doesn’t lather well, and mineral buildup on fixtures and appliances. Hard water isn’t just a nuisance; over time, it can cause real damage to your plumbing system and shorten the lifespan of water-using appliances.

Thankfully, there is an easy fix for hard water: water softeners. They eliminate the minerals found in hard water.

We offer professional water softener services throughout the North Bay. Our team is here to help you enjoy the benefits of softened water with expert installation, repair, and maintenance services tailored to your home’s needs.

What Is Hard Water, and Why It’s a Problem

Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, minerals that can accumulate on plumbing fixtures, clog pipes, and reduce the efficiency of appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters.

Left untreated, hard water can lead to:

• Scale buildup in pipes and fixtures
• Reduced efficiency of water heaters and appliances
• Dry, itchy skin and dull hair
• Stiff, scratchy laundry
• Increased use of soap and detergent

How Does a Water Softener Work?

Water softeners rely on basic chemistry, positive and negative ions attract and bond, to remove hard minerals from your water. Here’s how the process works in 5 simple steps:

Water from your main supply enters the softener’s main tank, which is filled with resin beads coated with sodium ions. These beads carry a negative charge and are designed to attract positively charged mineral ions.

As the hard water flows through the tank, positively charged calcium and magnesium ions, the main culprits of hard water, are drawn to the negatively charged resin. The resin traps these minerals, allowing softened water to pass through and flow into your home.

Over time, the resin becomes saturated with calcium and magnesium and must be cleaned. The system enters a regeneration cycle, typically every few days, where salty water from a secondary tank flushes the resin and replaces the trapped minerals with sodium.

The salt water used for cleaning comes from a separate brine tank that stores salt pellets (or potassium, in some systems). This brine solution is essential for recharging the resin beads so the softening process can continue effectively.

A control valve regulates the amount of brine used and manages the cleaning schedule. Once the resin is recharged, the system is ready to begin softening water again, automatically repeating the cycle to keep your home supplied with mineral-free water.

All work is performed under active California contractors license #215233.

At Ongaro & Sons, we provide complete water softening solutions to ensure your home benefits from clean, soft, mineral-free water. Our services include:

Water Softener Installation

We offer top-of-the-line water softeners from trusted manufacturers, available in a range of capacities to match your household’s water usage. Our team will assess your home’s water hardness, plumbing layout, and usage patterns to recommend the best system for your needs.

Water Softener Repair

If your existing softener isn’t working like it should, whether it’s leaking, not softening properly, or regenerating at the wrong times, we can help. Our technicians can diagnose and repair all major brands and models quickly and accurately.

Water Softener Maintenance

We offer professional inspections, resin bed cleanings, salt level checks, and system testing to ensure your unit is working at its best. Regular maintenance also helps prevent problems before they start, extending the life of your system.