What kind of unit should I get to soften my water?
If you live in Houston, you’ve probably already noticed the signs of hard water: dry skin, cloudy dishes, stiff laundry, and white mineral buildup around faucets. The fix is simple: you need a water softener.
But with so many systems available, how do you know which one is right for your home?
Let’s take the guesswork out of it.
Understanding How a Water Softener Works
A water softener removes hardness minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium, through a process called ion exchange.
Water passes through a tank filled with resin beads charged with sodium or potassium. As the hard water flows through, the minerals “swap places” with the softer ions, leaving your water smooth, balanced, and scale-free.
The Way to Remove Hardness:
Salt-Based (Ion Exchange) Softeners
This is the most effective system for treating Houston’s high-hardness water.
Benefits:
Eliminates scale buildup in pipes and appliances
Keeps skin and hair soft
Prevents cloudy glassware and spots
Protects water heaters and dishwashers
Best For: Homes with noticeable scale or high water hardness levels (8–15+ gpg).
Because we get asked this often, I want to go ahead and speak about Salt-Free Conditioners. These can be the right system for some homes, but not if you are looking to remove hardness. Although Salt-Free Conditioners have their benefits and we do offer them, they are not the system we recommend for removing hardness. These systems don’t actually “soften” water. Instead, they crystallize minerals so they can’t stick to surfaces.
Features to Look For in a Quality System
When choosing your softener, look for:
Proper Sizing: Based on household size and water usage
High-Capacity Resin: For longer lifespan and less frequent regeneration
Metered Control Valve: Adjusts cycles automatically for efficiency
Bypass Valve: Makes maintenance simple and quick
Professional Installation: Ensures consistent pressure and optimal performance
Why Environmental ProTech
At Environmental ProTech, we’ve installed and serviced water softeners across Houston for over 30 years. We don’t just sell systems, we design them for your home’s exact water chemistry, flow rate, and usage.
When you schedule your free water test, we’ll measure your hardness levels, explain your results, and recommend the best unit for your family.
Call now to schedule your water test and find out which water softener is right for your Houston home.
What customers are saying…
PS. We have over 30 years experience in bringing clean water to the Houston Homeowners. Our reviews speak for themselves! If you want clean drinking water from your faucet, contact us at 281-495-4420 to schedule your free water test today.
Sources & Further Reading
Water Quality Association – Water Softening Systems
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – Home Water Treatment