Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

The #1 HVAC Contractor in Richmond, VA and The Northern Neck with 100+ Years Of Experience

Water Softener Installation & Repair in Richmond, VA

If you’ve noticed white crust on your faucets, spots on clean dishes, or soap that never seems to lather, hard water may be the reason. Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing installs, repairs, and maintains whole-home water softeners for homeowners across Richmond, Central Virginia, and the Northern Neck. As an authorized Water Right dealer, we help you choose a system that fits your home, your water, and your budget. Whether your home is on city water in Richmond or a private well near the Rappahannock, we start with a water test so you know exactly what you’re working with.

mineral scale on faucet
replacing water softener filter

Why Choose Gilman for Water Treatment

Gilman has cared for Virginia homes since 1917, when we started as Gilman Bros. Plumbing & Heating. Today, our licensed plumbers handle everything from leaks to full plumbing services, and water treatment is a natural part of that work.

  • Authorized dealer: We install Water Right treatment systems, along with other trusted water quality brands.
  • Testing first: Our certified plumbers test for hardness and other common issues before recommending anything.
  • Upfront pricing: You’ll know the cost before work begins, with no surprise fees.
  • Two local offices: Ashland serves the Richmond area, and Kilmarnock serves the Northern Neck.
  • Flexible payment: Ask about our financing options for qualifying projects.
  • Membership perks: Our G-Club VIP Maintenance Plan includes water quality testing, plus member discounts and priority dispatch.
filling glass with clean water

Water Softener Installation, Repair, and Maintenance

A water softener removes the minerals that make water “hard,” mainly calcium and magnesium. Over time, those minerals leave scale inside pipes, fixtures, and appliances. Softened water is easier on your plumbing, and many homeowners notice softer skin, cleaner dishes, and less scrubbing in the shower.

Water can vary a lot across our service area. Homes on public water in Richmond, Glen Allen, and Midlothian have different needs than homes on private wells in places like Kilmarnock, White Stone, or Urbanna. That’s why we test before we recommend a system instead of guessing. The right softener for a city home may not be the right one for a home on a well.

Our team handles every stage of a softener’s life:

  • Installation: we size and install new systems based on your water test and household use.
  • Repair: if your water feels hard again, the system may need a valve, resin, or setting adjustment. We’ll find the cause and explain your options.
  • Maintenance: regular checkups keep the brine tank, salt levels, and controls working the way they should.

Soft water also helps protect your water heater. Scale buildup can make a tank work harder over time, so a softener pairs well with water heater install & repair and with tankless water heaters, which have small passages that scale can clog.

Whole-Home Water Softener Installation

A whole-home water softener treats water where it enters your house, so every faucet, shower, and appliance gets softened water. Here’s what to expect when you work with Gilman:

  1. Water test: we check your water’s hardness and look for anything else worth treating, like sulfur or iron staining.
  2. System recommendation: we match a Water Right system to your water and the size of your household. We’ll walk you through the choices in plain terms.
  3. Professional installation: our licensed plumbers install the system near your main water line, connect the drain, and program it for your home.
  4. Walkthrough: before we leave, we’ll show you how to add salt, check settings, and spot signs that it needs attention.

If your home has other water concerns, we can pair your softener with filtration as part of a complete water quality treatment plan.

Get a Water Softener Quote in Richmond, VA

Tired of fighting spots, stains, and scale? Gilman makes it simple to find out what your water needs.

Contact us to schedule a water test and get a quote for whole-home water softener installation in Richmond, the Northern Neck, and surrounding communities. Prefer to talk it through first? Give us a call, and we’ll answer your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between a Water Softener and a Water Filter?

A water softener removes hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium to protect your plumbing and appliances. A water filter removes other things, such as sediment, chlorine taste, or odors. Many homes benefit from both. We’ll test your water and recommend what makes sense for your home.

Many water softeners last 10 to 15 years. How long yours lasts depends on your water’s hardness, how much water your household uses, and how well the system is maintained. Keeping salt levels steady and scheduling regular checkups helps it last longer.

Common signs include white or chalky buildup on faucets and showerheads, spots on glasses after washing, soap that doesn't lather well, and dry skin or hair after showering. The easiest way to know for sure is a water test. Our technicians can test your water and explain the results.

Choose the Gilman Plumbing Team

For top products and excellent service at a competitive price, contact Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. We’re proud to be a part of the local community, and we know our success depends on maintaining our reputation. Our team is ready to help you meet your plumbing goals for your home or business.

Contact Us

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Phone Number

804-798-0455

Address

11479 Fox Cross Road Ashland, VA 23005