Top Questions To Ask When Renting a Water Softener

If you’ve noticed the signs of hard water in your home, you may be wondering what your options are. From buildup in pipes and plumbing to difficulty working up a lather and rinsing off while showering, bathing or washing your hands, water hardness leaves its mark – literally. Soap scum and hard water stains can be unsightly and challenging to remove.

So what can you do about it?

Most likely, you’ll need a water softener. In this case, you have a few options. You can purchase a water softening system outright or finance it, but one choice you may not be aware of is renting a water softener.

Here, we’ll explore the top 6 questions to ask yourself as you pick out the best kind of softener, decide if renting is truly the best option for your home and select a suitable provider.

Deciding on the Right Type of Water Softener

Taking stock of your water softening needs will help you determine which model is right for you. This information can also provide insight into your decision to rent a water softener or purchase it directly. If you’ve noticed any signs of hard water, you should have your water tested and consult with a professional.

Everybody’s needs are different, and your requirements can change over time based on water quality factors and the makeup of your household. One thing is certain, though: You don’t have to put up with water hardness problems, no matter what your situation is.

How Hard Is Your Water?

If you suspect that you have hard water, it’s important to schedule a test to find out what’s causing your water quality issues and to determine how hard your water is. A quick, free in-home test is all it takes to discover the presence of hardness minerals, like calcium or magnesium, in your household water supply.

Moreover, it’s important to find out how hard your water is. Anything less than 1 grain per gallon (gpg) is considered soft, and any result higher than 10.5 gpg is classified as very hard. Determining the hardness level of your water will impact your water softener system choices. If you find that your water is only moderately hard, you may be inclined to rent first before you decide to purchase. This way, you can see for yourself how much you’ll actually benefit from having soft water before you commit to a larger investment.

How Much Water Does Your Family Use?

Household water consumption can also impact your choice of water softener while further influencing whether you decide to rent a system or purchase one.

Properly sizing a water softener requires you to work with a professional to determine how much water your family uses. By combining this information with your water hardness level, you’ll be able to select a system with the appropriate capacity for your needs. In addition, flow rate, which is affected by the number of taps in your home, can impact what size water softener you need.

Ultimately, whether you’re renting or buying, you’ll need to know how much water you use to select a suitable model. If you suspect that your household needs will change substantially in the future – for example, if you anticipate that your family will grow or that you’ll soon become an empty nester – you may want to rent a system for the interim and later purchase a unit that’s more reflective of your long-term usage needs.

Renting a Water Softener or Purchasing Your System

You may be initially inclined toward renting a water softener system, as opposed to buying it, for several reasons. Maybe you want to try it out before you commit, or you could be waiting to see how much benefit you’ll actually get from owning the unit outright.

Before you make a decision either way, take a moment to carefully weigh the pros and cons of buying versus renting a water softener. The following questions can help you think through this decision more deliberately.

Do You Own or Rent Your Home?

If you rent your home, the question of whether you should lease or buy a water softener may be fairly straightforward. Renters won’t benefit from the additional equity that comes from purchasing the system, and you likely won’t be able to take it with you to your next home. The property owner may also limit your ability to make permanent alterations to the house or apartment.

Renting a water softener provides you with a suitable, affordable alternative to buying the device. You’ll enjoy a more pleasant experience while bathing, washing dishes and more. In addition, if you rent the property but you’ve purchased your own water-using appliances, like a washing machine or dishwasher, water softener rentals will help you get the most out of these devices and extend their lifespan by preventing damaging buildup.

How Long Do You Plan To Stay in Your Current Home?

If you rent a house or apartment, you may not plan on being a long-time tenant, which means that renting a water softener will still likely be the more cost-effective solution.

Even homeowners may be considering moving before too long. This can sometimes provide added incentive to rent a water softener. However, it still might make more sense to go the extra mile and purchase a new system for the household. Why? Water softeners may increase the value of your home. First of all, softeners help improve the appearance of your fixtures, sinks, shower doors and tubs while avoiding potentially costly buildup in your plumbing. Secondly, new homeowners and potential buyers may find that an up-to-date water softening system is a huge plus for the property.

Nevertheless, renting is still a viable alternative if you’re moving soon and if you think it’s more important to save on your immediate expenses.

Choosing the Right Provider for Your Water Softener Rental

Once you’ve decided that renting a water softener is the best option for your household, it’s important to make sure that you select a high-quality service provider in your area. The company you choose will have a sizable impact on your overall experience as well as your financing options, should you choose to purchase a unit later.

These points will help you narrow the pool of potential partners and point you toward the best water softener rental provider for your needs. If you make the right choice, your company can help you get the most out of your water softener.

Does Your Rental Agreement Include Regular Service and Repairs?

When you rent an apartment, your landlord is responsible for handling maintenance and repairs for the unit and the building. Your water softener rental provider should offer you the same benefit.

Look for companies that include routine service and repairs bundled into your low monthly rate. Basic servicing shouldn’t come with surprise fees that raise the cost of your water softener rental bill. After all, renting is supposed to provide quick cost savings compared to buying a unit and handling all of the maintenance yourself.

Attempt to find out how responsive your water company is, too. A quick turnaround from your rental provider means uninterrupted soft water for you and your family. After all, isn’t that the whole point?

Is There a Rent-to-Own Option?

This is especially important for homeowners who have opted to rent a water softener as a starting point. In these cases, what often happens is that once people realize how much better soft water is – for cleaning, bathing and more – they don’t want to go back to the way things were. With a rent-to-purchase agreement, you can simplify the process of going from having a water softener lease to owning the appliance yourself.

If you know that purchasing a water softener is in your future, but you aren’t ready to pay for it upfront, the rent-to-own pathway isn’t your only option. Dedicated local partners in your area may also be able to assist you with financing options. 

Explore Your Options for Renting a Water Softener

Hopefully, the answers to these six basic questions have helped you gain a clearer understanding of what to look for when you’re thinking about renting a water softener. It’s crucial to have the information you need to select an appropriate unit. You’ll also want to make sure that renting is the best option for you. Once you’re ready, look for a provider that can deliver the quality service you deserve.

Are you ready to explore your water softener rental options in greater detail? Learn more about Culligan’s payment and financing plans today.