If you ever answered a spam call, chances are it was a prerecorded message asking if you would like to extend your car’s warranty. It’s best to ignore that call and mark it as spam, but one warranty you shouldn’t neglect is your water softeners. You probably won’t receive spam calls on water softener warranties, but you can still prepare to deal with any water softener issues by understanding its warranty terms.
At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’ve installed and serviced water softeners across Los Angeles. Since 2007, we’ve worked with various water softener brands and helped homeowners submit warranty claims on their behalf.
Although different brands offer water softeners, the warranty terms and parts covered are about the same. In this article, we’ll break down the common warranty terms associated with water softeners so that you can prepare yourself if you ever need to submit a warranty claim.
Let’s get started!
What Are the Warranty Terms for a Water Softener?
The most common manufacturer warranty for an entire water softener system is six or 12 months. It is standard for water softeners to come with a limited or lifetime warranty. Warranties, in general, are intended to protect consumers from any defects they may encounter with their water softener.
Defects are a major deciding factor in determining if a water softener can be repaired under warranty. Water softener brands have guidelines that create parameters to decide what issues are acceptable under warranty, such as defective parts.
For a water softener warranty to be valid, it must meet the following terms.
- The water softener must be properly installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If a water softener is experiencing problems due to improper installation, the required repairs will not be covered under warranty.
- The manufacturer’s warranty does not cover any water softener failures caused by the following circumstances.
- Acts of nature
- Neglect
- Alteration
- Abuse
- Fire and or freezing
- Water softeners require monthly salt refills, and any breakdowns caused by neglecting maintenance will not be covered by warranty.
- Water softener companies usually request proof of purchase or product registration that ties the homeowner to their water softener.
Many homeowners may not be able to identify an issue with their water softener without the help of a technician. A water softener technician can help pinpoint the cause of a water softener problem and determine which part of the system is not working. Water softener systems are made up of different parts, each with its specific warranty.
What Is Covered in a Water Softener Warranty?
A water softener is made up of a brine tank, a resin tank, and a control valve. Each part of the unit has its warranty that varies in length depending on the brand of water softener.
Another key component of water softeners is rock salt which is used to help turn hard water into soft water. Rock salt refills are not usually covered under a water softener warranty, and the homeowner’s responsible for replacing the salt.
Depending on the manufacturer, the labor required to perform the warranty repair may or may not be covered under the warranty. Reviewing or requesting a copy of the water softener warranty is recommended for a more thorough breakdown of what parts are covered.
In the following sections, we’ll examine the general warranty for the major parts of a water softener.
Resin and Brine Tank Warranty Coverage
The warranty coverage for a water softener’s resin and brine tanks varies between 5 to 10 years or includes lifetime coverage. Any workmanship or manufacturing defects affecting the resin or brine tank are covered under warranty.
Some examples of resin and brine tank issues that may be covered under warranty include.
- Defective resin beads: The resin tank has resin beads that help facilitate the process of removing hard water minerals to produce soft water. Defective resin beads are not able to efficiently convert hard water into soft.
- Faulty float assembly: The float-controlled valve is the device that helps regulate the flow of salinated water in the brine tank. If the valve is defective, it cannot adequately supply the resin tank with brine water.
The average lifespan of a water softener is around eight to 12 years. Even as a water softener approaches the end of its use, it’s still possible to have parts or tanks replaced under warranty.
To verify a warranty claim, homeowners will have to contact the brand. The water softener company will request photos and or videos of the issue for review. If you call a technician, they may help capture this information and send it to the manufacturer on your behalf.
The resin and brine tanks aren’t the only major components of a water softener with a warranty. The control valve, the head unit that monitors the water softener, can have its own warranty coverage.
Water Softener Control Valve Warranty Coverage
The warranty for the water softener control has more variance than some of the other parts of the unit. Some manufacturers offer a one to five-year warranty, whereas others can provide lifetime or limited coverage for seven or 10 years.
The control valve is the head unit usually mounted on top of the resin tank that controls and operates the following functions of a water softener.
- Set a timer for regeneration: The system periodically regenerates to remove any hard water minerals trapped inside the tank. The brine discharge is one of the reasons why not every area in Los Angeles allows water softener installations.
- Backwash: The unit must be able to initiate a backwash to help clean out minerals in the tank.
- Regulate water flow: Water constantly flows in and out of the softener. The control valve helps maintain a regulated flow of water.
- Draw brine water and refill the resin tank: When the resin tank regenerates, it requires salted water from the brine tank. The head unit helps pull the right amount of saline water from the brine tank.
If there are any issues with the functions above, then it could be a sign that the control unit is defective. Once a warranty request is submitted, most manufacturers respond in a timely manner to approve or deny a claim.
Do Water Softeners Come With Extended Warranties?
Some water softeners may come with extended warranties. The extended warranty can be offered by the manufacturer, technicians who install water softeners, or third-party companies.
These extended warranties may cost extra money but can provide peace of mind knowing there’s additional protection for your water softener in case of a breakdown. The warranty coverage can be extended by a few years or offered as lifetime protection.
Understanding Your Water Softener’s Warranty
Most purchased products come with a warranty, and water softeners aren’t any different. A water softener’s warranty coverage and conditions may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the terms are mostly the same. Now that you understand what a warranty for a water softener looks like, you can feel confident in deciding whether or not this system is a reasonable choice for your home.
At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’ve taken note of the general terms and conditions for water softeners across several brands. For over 15 years, we’ve seen hundreds of warranty claims for water softeners and helped resolve any water softener issues.
If you live in the Los Angeles area and need help with a water softener problem that may fall under warranty, contact us with one of the buttons below. You can also schedule an appointment through our water softener scheduler.
