Most people looking for a water filtration company in Central Florida want the same things: water that tastes better, less scale on the faucets and shower glass, and a system that keeps working for years. The hard part is telling companies apart. Most offer a free test, most say they are local, and most promise great water.

This guide sets out what to check before you choose, whoever you end up hiring. It does not rank other companies. We have no way to check their claims, and you should not have to take ours on trust either.

1. Does the water test show you the numbers?

A good in-home test measures what is actually in your water at your tap: hardness, chlorine or chloramine, iron and, for well water, sulfur and pH. You should see each number, not just hear that your water is “bad”. Ask for the results in writing.

Your utility’s annual water quality report is a useful check. Many Central Florida utilities do not publish a hardness figure, so a test is often the only way to know it. Our Central Florida hard water map shows what each utility we have checked does publish.

2. Does the recommendation match the test?

Hard water (scale, spots, soap that will not lather) calls for a water softener.
Chlorine or chloramine taste and smell calls for a whole-house carbon filter. Chloramine needs catalytic carbon.
Drinking water only can be handled with reverse osmosis under the kitchen sink.
Private wells often need treatment for iron and sulfur as well as hardness. See well water treatment.

If the test shows a problem and the recommendation does not address it, or recommends far more than the test supports, ask why. A company should also be willing to tell you when your water is fine.

3. Can you take your time?

A water treatment system is a long-term purchase. You should get the recommendation in writing and be able to think it over, compare it and ask questions before you decide. Be wary of any offer that is only good if you sign the same day.

4. Who installs it, and who services it?

Ask whether the company’s own trained technicians install the system, or a subcontractor.
Ask how often the system needs service. For most whole-house systems it is every 6 to 12 months.
Ask how long the system should last. A well-maintained system typically lasts 10 to 15 years.
Ask what happens if something goes wrong: who you call, and how quickly someone comes out.
Ask for the warranty in writing.

5. What do recent reviews say?

Read the most recent reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau, not just the star rating. Look for comments about the test, the installation and, above all, service after the sale. Look at how the company replies to criticism.

6. Is the company local, and does it serve your area?

A company with its own office and technicians in Central Florida knows the local water and can get to you when you need service. Check that it serves your county, and whether it can repair the system you already have. If you live in Orlando, see water filtration and softeners in Orlando for what OUC publishes about its water.

Questions to ask before you hire anyone

What exactly did the test find, and can I have the results in writing?
Which of those results does this system treat?
Who will install it, and who will service it?
How often does it need service, and how long should it last?
What does the warranty cover, and for how long?
Can I have the recommendation in writing to think it over?

About Brita Pro of Central Florida

We are a family-owned company and have installed water treatment in Central Florida homes for 40 years, since 1986. Here is what we can show you rather than tell you:

Reviews: 4.9 stars from 798 Google reviews. Read them.
Better Business Bureau: rated A+.
Area: six counties: Orange, Seminole, Lake, Volusia, Brevard and Osceola. See where we work.
Free in-home water test: a trained technician tests your water at your tap and shows you the numbers. What the test checks.
Service: we install and service softeners, whole-house filtration, reverse osmosis and well water systems, and we repair all major brands.

If your water tests fine, we will tell you.

Frequently asked questions

Is a free water test really free?

It should be, with no obligation. Ask beforehand whether there is any charge and whether you will get the results in writing.

Do I need a softener or a filter?

It depends on the test. A softener removes hardness; a filter removes chlorine, taste and odor. Many Central Florida homes have both problems. See water softener or water filter: which one.

How long does a whole-house system last?

A well-maintained system typically lasts 10 to 15 years, with service every 6 to 12 months.