Should I Purchase A Water Softener From Lowe’s Or Home Depot?

A water softener system is a great addition to any home, as it can remove impurities such as calcium and magnesium from your hard water.

This then means you get water that tastes better and is much more effective for cleaning, bathing, and laundry purposes. 

If you have decided that you want a water softener, then your next decision is where to purchase one from.

In addition, if you are interested in DIY, then you may have already considered getting a water softener from Home Depot or Lowes.

In this article, we discuss whether you should purchase a water softener from Lowes or Home Depot. 

Purchasing A Water Softener System From Lowe’s

You may want to purchase a water softener from Lowe’s as they have a wide variety of models to choose from.

Yet, the main and most popular brand that they sell is A.O Smith. This brand offers 35,000 to 50,000-grain water softener systems. 

When we speak of the grain capacity, we are talking about how much water the system can treat every day.

If you like the sound of these water softener systems, then you can expect to spend between $357 to $797, which is a very good price, considering some brands are in the 1000s of dollars. 

Although, bear in mind that when you buy a water softener system from Lowe’s you need to think about who is going to install it.

It is known that Lowe’s employees aren’t experts in this area. As a result, they may struggle to point you to a water softener system that really fits your needs.

Hence, we’d recommend that you do your own research, before going to view the systems that Lowe’s has to offer.

Purchasing A Water Softener System From Home Depot

If Lowe’s isn’t the right choice, you may want to consider Home Depot instead. Like Lowe’s, Home Depot has plenty of water softener options. 

The most popular brand sold in Home Depot is GE, which is a very reliable manufacturer. The systems that are available range in size from 30,000 to 40,200 grains. The prices of these systems range from $397 to $799.

Installing Your Water Softener

There is no denying that both Lowe’s and Home Depot offer you water softeners at an affordable price. However, unless you have experience in DIY, you may struggle to install and set up the water softener system by yourself. 

In this case, you need to hire a professional to install your Lowe’s or Home Depot system.

You will likely have the option to hire an installer through Home Depot or Lowe’s, but you should be aware that these people are not company employees. The person you hire through Lowe’s or Home Depot is a contractor. 

You can hire someone yourself, but just make sure whoever is installing your water softener system knows what they are doing.

This system needs to be fitted properly, otherwise, you will have issues like leaking, which may cost you more money to fix. If you aren’t sure what to do, then it’s best to get a professional to install the unit for you. 

You Are Responsible For Maintenance Needs

As we have discussed already, both Lowe’s and Home Depot may be able to help you hire a contractor through them to install your water softener.

However, this is where all the support stops. Therefore, you are the one who is responsible for maintaining the system to prolong its life so that it stays effective. 

Maintenance of your water softener can be difficult and time-consuming, especially if you have no experience. Over the life of the system, there is a chance your water softener will break down at least once.

Then you will need to call the customer service number for your water system and troubleshoot your issues with the phone support team.

This can be a frustrating process, especially if you have no experience with water softeners. 

To prevent your system from breaking down, always read the instructions that come with the system. Provide maintenance as recommended and service your system as often as needed. 

Providing this care for your water softener system will keep it running efficiently and maximize it’s lifespan.

Can You Purchase The Salt For The System At Lowe’s Or Home Depot?

Be careful about the salt you buy from home improvement stores. They may not be the correct size.

Each water softener system requires a particular amount of salt to ensure that the unit works as well as it should. If you don’t use much water, then the salt from home improvement stores may be fine. 

However, we recommend that you use a trained dealer, water specialist, or plumber. They will be able to test the water in your home and suggest what kind of salt is best and how much you should use.

How hard your water is will determine how much salt is needed to soften it appropriately. 

Which Type Of Salt Does Your System Need?

When it comes to what type of salt that you use in your water softener system, there are two popular forms. You can use either pellets or crystals.

Crystals work quicker than pellets and have a wider surface area to absorb impurities faster. Pellets last longer, so you top up your brine tank less frequently. Consult with a professional to decide which will best satisfy your needs.

Final Thoughts

On the surface, purchasing a water softener system from Lowe’s or Home Depot sounds like a great idea, as they are both affordable.

However, installation can be difficulty if you aren’t a handy person. Installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance are important to maximizing the life of your water softener unit. 

Both Lowe’s and Home Depot offer various systems at reasonable prices. And they both will offer a contractor to install the system if you cannot.

However, sometimes it’s better to hire your own professional to install it so you can be confident that everything is installed properly and works as it should. 

We hope you enjoyed this article and better understand where to purchase your water softener system.