Murrieta and Temecula homeowners deal with some of the hardest water in Southern California. Colorado River water supplied by EMWD and RCWD runs 300-500+ ppm total dissolved solids — causing scale on shower doors, spots on dishes, rough hair and skin after showering, and premature failure of water heaters and appliances. A properly sized and installed water softener solves all of these problems. Davis Plumbing and Heating Inc. installs water softeners throughout Southwest Riverside County.
How Water Softeners Work
A conventional salt-based water softener uses ion exchange to replace calcium and magnesium ions (hardness minerals) with sodium ions. Water flows through a tank filled with resin beads that attract and hold the calcium and magnesium. Periodically, the system regenerates — flushing the accumulated minerals down the drain and refreshing the resin with salt solution (brine) from the salt tank. The result is “soft” water throughout your entire home.
Benefits of Soft Water in Murrieta & Temecula
- No more scale buildup — Shower doors, faucets, tile, and dishes stay cleaner longer
- Softer skin and hair — Mineral deposits stripped from skin and hair are eliminated
- Protected appliances — Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines last significantly longer
- Reduced soap and detergent usage — Soft water lathers better; you use 50-75% less soap, shampoo, and detergent
- Pipe and fixture protection — Scale buildup inside pipes, faucets, and valves is dramatically reduced
- Cleaner laundry — Soft water cleans clothes more thoroughly and keeps colors brighter longer
Sizing Your Water Softener Correctly
Proper sizing is critical — an undersized softener won’t keep up with demand; an oversized one wastes salt and water on unnecessary regeneration. Davis Plumbing calculates the correct softener size based on:
- Number of people in the household
- Water hardness from your water district’s data
- Iron content of your water (iron removal capacity varies by unit)
- Available space for installation
Salt-Based vs. Salt-Free Water Conditioners
Salt-based softeners (ion exchange) are the gold standard for removing hardness. Salt-free systems (Template Assisted Crystallization or electronic descalers) change the structure of minerals so they don’t stick to surfaces — they don’t remove hardness but can reduce scale formation. For Murrieta/Temecula’s very hard water, we generally recommend true salt-based softeners for the most significant benefit.
Get a Free Water Softener Consultation
Davis Plumbing installs water softeners throughout Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, and all of Riverside County. Call (951) 657-0393 or contact us online for a free consultation and estimate.