Water Softener in Sun City, AZ

What happens when you call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Sun City. They'll ask whether you're replacing a unit, repairing one or adding a softener for the first time, and whether you're in residence year-round. Many Sun City homes have softeners that have been in place a long time, so expect the plumber to check the control valve, the bypass, the brine tank and the drain line before quoting a new system.

What affects cost

• Repair versus replacement; a valve rebuild is a smaller job
• Whether the existing loop and bypass are reusable
• Unit size, which can be modest at 7 to 11 grains
• A potassium option or drinking water tap for low-sodium diets
• Removing the old tanks

Local conditions in Sun City

EPCOR Water Arizona runs one system serving nearly 24,000 connections in Sun City and Youngtown, pumping groundwater from the West Salt River Valley sub-basin and disinfecting with chlorine. Its report puts hardness at 7 to 11 grains per gallon. That's lower than many cities' figures elsewhere in the metro, so a smaller softener, or a lower hardness setting, may be enough. Some owners decide a kitchen filter and regular aerator cleaning are all they need. Either choice is reasonable.

EPCOR also provides wastewater service and inspects sewer mains and manholes in the Sun City area, so brine from a softener goes to a normal household drain. Sun City is unincorporated, which means Maricopa County Planning and Development, not a city, handles any plumbing permits.

Many residents are seasonal. A metered valve that regenerates only after water has been used is a better fit than a timer for a house that sits empty part of the year.

Checklist before the plumber arrives

• Locate the softener bypass and main shutoff
• Note whether anyone in the house limits sodium
• Write down the model of the current unit, if there is one
• Note how long you're away each year
• Clear a path to the garage or utility area

If you decide a softener isn't worth it at Sun City's hardness, the plumber can still descale showerheads, flush the water heater and replace scaled faucet cartridges, which handles most of what moderate hardness does to a home.