What is the difference between a water filter and a water softener?
They do different jobs. A filter takes out things that affect taste, smell and clarity, such as chlorine taste and sediment. A softener removes hardness minerals, the calcium and magnesium that leave white scale on fixtures, glass and inside water heaters. Some homes want one, some want both.
What systems do you install?
- Whole-house filtration. Fitted where the water line enters the home, so every tap and shower gets filtered water.
- Under-sink filters and reverse osmosis. For drinking and cooking water at the kitchen sink.
- Water softeners. Sized to the household and the hardness of the water.
- Combined systems. A softener and a filter together.
- Replacement and service. Old systems swapped out and leaking ones repaired.
Installed prices for common setups are on our water filtration and water softener shop pages.
How do I know which one I need?
- Water that tastes or smells of chlorine: a carbon filter.
- White crust on faucets and shower glass, or scale in the water heater: a softener.
- Grit or cloudiness: a sediment filter, and a check of the old pipe.
- Filtered drinking and cooking water at one tap: an under-sink filter or reverse osmosis.
If the water is brown or rusty, the cause is usually old galvanized pipe, and a filter is not the fix.
How is a whole-house system installed?
We cut into the main water line after the shutoff, fit the system with a bypass so it can be serviced without turning off the house, and connect a drain line if the system needs one. A softener also needs a power outlet nearby. Where the main line enters in a tight spot, we work out the location with you first. Most systems go in on one visit.
Do these systems need upkeep?
Yes. Filter cartridges and media are changed on a schedule, and a softener needs salt. We tell you the schedule for your system when it goes in, and we can do the service.
Does a softener help my water heater and fixtures?
Scale is hard on water heaters, especially tankless units, and on faucets and valves. Softened water slows that build-up.
Where do you install?
We are based in Hayward and install across the East Bay, including Castro Valley, San Leandro, Fremont, Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore.
Who is Friendly Services?
A family-owned plumbing company with over 20 years in Hayward. License CSLB #1156315 (C-36 plumbing), $1M general liability cover and workers' comp. Our own work has a five-year workmanship warranty, and we have 100+ five-star reviews online.