Salt-based · salt-free conditioners

Water softeners forhard East Bay water.

If you're on Zone 7 water in the Tri-Valley, hard water is shortening the life of your water heater and every fixture in the house. A softener fixes it.

How to tell if you have hard water

  • White scale on faucets, shower doors and kettles
  • Soap and shampoo that won't lather properly
  • Spots on glasses out of the dishwasher
  • Laundry that feels stiff
  • Water heaters that fail earlier than they should

Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, San Ramon and the rest of the Zone 7 service area have noticeably harder water than the EBMUD side of the hills. It's the single biggest reason water heaters and tankless units fail early out here.

Salt-based vs salt-free

Salt-based softeners

Actually remove the calcium and magnesium that cause hardness, through ion exchange. This is real softening and it's what solves the problem. Requires topping up salt periodically and produces a small amount of discharge during regeneration.

Salt-free conditioners

Don't remove hardness minerals; they change their form so they're less likely to stick as scale. No salt to buy and no discharge. Less effective than true softening, but a reasonable option if your main concern is scale in the water heater rather than how the water feels.

We'll tell you which one actually fits your situation. If your hardness is mild, we'll say that too rather than selling you a system you don't need.

What we install

Systems sized on household size and hardness level, installed at the point of entry with proper bypass valves so the unit can be serviced without shutting off the house.

Our installation promise

Every price covers a standard installation — equipment installed or replaced where the existing water, gas, electrical and venting are already in place and to code.

What we commit to

  • If your setup needs work beyond the standard install, we tell you before we start — the difference in writing, for you to approve
  • If you'd rather not proceed at that point, you cancel and we refund in full
  • Five-year warranty on our workmanship
  • Full manufacturer warranty on the equipment — we're an authorized dealer, and we handle the claims for you
  • Permit pulled and inspection met where the work requires it
  • Old equipment hauled away and the area left clean

What we ask from you

  • Accurate information about your setup when you order — fuel type, location, and anything unusual about access
  • Clear access to the work area, with pets secured, on the scheduled day
  • Someone 18 or over at the property to approve the work and accept the install
  • At least 24 hours' notice to reschedule, so the slot can go to someone else
  • Payment on completion, as agreed before we started

Special-order equipment is ordered specifically for you, so cancellations after it ships may carry the supplier's restocking fee. We'll tell you before ordering if that applies.

Short version: no surprises from us, no surprises from you.

Buy online

Water Softeners with installation

Online ordering opening shortly. For now, call (510) 626-9773 for a firm price — same pricing, we just take it over the phone. The estimate is free and there's no trip fee.

Water Softeners questions

Do I need a softener in Hayward or Oakland?

Usually not — EBMUD water is moderately hard at most. This is mainly a Tri-Valley issue.

How much salt does it use?

Depends on hardness and usage; most households top up every one to two months.

Will it help my water heater last longer?

Yes, meaningfully. Scale is a primary cause of early water heater and tankless failure in hard-water areas.

Can you install a softener and filtration together?

Yes, and in the Tri-Valley that's usually the right combination.

Other equipment we install

Questions first?

Not sure what you need?

Call and describe your setup. If you don't need to replace it yet, we'll tell you that.

Licensed Insured Bonded Authorized Dealer 5-Year Warranty CSLB #1156315