Kent Water Purification Systems
Kent Water Purification Systems
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

General answers on water treatment, maintenance, and what to expect as a Kent customer. Looking for details on a specific system? Visit that product's page each one has its own FAQ section too.

Schedule a Free Water TestTalk to a Water Expert

Frequently Asked Questions

General answers on water treatment, maintenance, and what to expect as a Kent customer. Looking for details on a specific system? Visit that product's page each one has its own FAQ section too.

Schedule a Free Water TestTalk to a Water Expert

Water Basics

  • What is hard water?

    Hard water is water with high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause soap scum, dull laundry, and a chalky white scale on faucets, showerheads, water heaters, and appliances. Over time, that buildup raises energy costs, shortens appliance lifespan, and reduces water pressure.

  • What is soft water, and why do people soften it?

    Soft water is water that's had hardness minerals - calcium, magnesium, and dissolved iron - removed. Softened water lathers better, leaves no spots on dishes or glassware, and is noticeably gentler on skin and hair. It also protects your plumbing and appliances from scale buildup over time.

  • What's actually in my tap water?

    Even municipally treated water typically still contains chlorine or chloramine - the disinfectants your municipality uses to keep water safe through the distribution system. These chemicals do their job well, but they can leave water tasting or smelling off, dry out skin and hair, and wear down appliance seals and plumbing components over time.

  • How does chlorine affect water quality?

    Chlorine keeps municipal water safe to drink, but it can also affect how your water tastes, smells, and feels. When chlorine reacts with organic matter, it can form byproducts like trihalomethanes (THMs) - one reason many homeowners choose to filter it out at the tap even though city water meets regulatory standards. Day to day, the more noticeable effects are a chemical taste in drinking water and dry skin or hair after a shower.

  • Is it normal for my water to look or feel different right after installation?

    Yes - some temporary changes are normal while your new system stabilizes. You may notice cloudy water or white spots, a slippery feel or extra lather, condensation on pipes, or occasional minor system alerts. These effects typically resolve within the first few days and don't indicate a problem. If anything seems off after the first week or two, contact us.

Well Water

  • My well water smells like rotten eggs - what's causing that?

    A rotten-egg smell in well water is almost always hydrogen sulfide gas, typically from sulfur bacteria in the well or aquifer. It's unpleasant but not typically a health concern on its own. If you're also seeing reddish-brown staining on fixtures or laundry, that's a separate issue - iron. Both are treatable with an iron and sulfur removal filter.
    See Our Well Water Filtration Options

  • Is well water safe to drink without treatment?

    It depends - untreated well water isn't automatically unsafe, but unlike municipal water, nobody is testing or treating it for you. Contaminants like bacteria, iron, or hardness can be present even in a well that has been tested clean before. Regular testing is the only way to know what's currently in your water.

  • Why does my well water leave orange or reddish stains?

    Reddish-brown staining on fixtures, laundry, or sinks is a common sign of iron in your well water. It's not usually a health risk, but it can be difficult to remove once it sets into surfaces. An iron and sulfur removal filter treats it at the source.

Reverse Osmosis & Drinking Water

  • What is a Reverse Osmosis (RO) System?

    Reverse Osmosis is a drinking-water filtration process that forces water through a semi-permeable membrane, trapping contaminants and letting clean water through. It's one of the most effective ways to remove a wide range of contaminants, including lead, fluoride, bacteria, and chlorine, which is why it's typically installed for drinking and cooking water specifically.
    See Our RO Systems

  • Can I adjust the pH of my drinking water?

    Yes - the Kent NL7 can be adjusted to your desired pH level. This lets you dial in alkaline or neutral drinking water to your preference, alongside the system's filtration performance.
    Learn more about the NL7

  • What's the difference between tank and tankless RO systems, and which do I need?

    Tank-based RO systems store purified water in a small pressure tank so it's ready instantly, while tankless systems filter water in real time as you draw it - each suits a different household. If you want a simple, no-electricity setup, the Kent Vue+ uses a pressure tank and runs entirely on water pressure. If you use drinking water heavily throughout the day or want live water quality monitoring, the Kent Nova filters in real time with a built-in booster pump and smart display.
    See Kent Nova
    See Kent Vue+

  • What's the difference between a UF filter and an RO system?

    Both improve drinking water quality, but differently. UF (ultra-filtration) systems like the Kent UF5 use a fine physical membrane to remove chlorine, sediment, and heavy metals - with no drain connection and zero water waste. RO systems go a step further, removing dissolved solids and a wider range of contaminants, but produce a small amount of wastewater as part of the process. If your main concern is taste and chlorine, UF5 is a simpler option; if you need to remove dissolved solids or have specific contaminant concerns, RO is the better fit.
    See Kent UF5

Smart Features

  • What does DropPro Connect do?

    DropPro Connect gives you real-time monitoring of your softener from your phone, including salt levels and water usage. You'll get alerts if something needs attention, so small issues don't turn into bigger ones
    See DropPro Connect Details

  • Does DropPro Connect still work if my Wi-Fi goes down?

    Yes - DropPro Connect runs on its own local network, so core features like leak detection and automatic shutoff keep working even without an internet connection. You'll just lose remote phone alerts and app control until Wi-Fi is back.

Service, Maintenance & Emergencies

  • My system is leaking - how do I bypass it?

    If your softener or filtration system is leaking, bypassing it stops water from flowing through the unit while you wait for service. Watch the video below to find your valve type, or call us right away.

    Kent systems use a few different valve styles depending on the model - the video above walks through the rotary dial, lever-style, and RO tank shutoff valves so you can identify yours. If water is actively leaking and you can't isolate it, shut off your home's main water supply and call us - we prioritize leak calls.
    For any technical help please call +1-888-622-3092

  • How long does installation take?

    Most installations take about three hours. Our technicians aim to make the process smooth and minimally disruptive to your day.

  • What kind of maintenance does my system need?

    It depends on the system. Whole-home softener and filtration systems don't require regular filter changes. RO systems typically need filter replacement every 12–18 months. Well water UV and pre-filter components are typically replaced annually. We send maintenance reminders by email and text ahead of any scheduled service, so you don't have to track it yourself.

  • What warranty coverage comes with my system?

    Kent systems come with strong warranty coverage - up to 20-year limited manufacturer warranty on DropPro Connect and Lifetime Warranty (for the original owner) on the NL7 and Kent Vue+ Reverse Osmosis Systems. Full coverage details are confirmed in your service agreement at the time of purchase.

  • I have a Kent system and I'm moving - can you help?

    Yes - we handle the deinstallation at your current home and reinstallation at your new address. Transporting the system between locations is your responsibility. Contact Us before your move so we can schedule everything and walk you through what to do.

  • What is ion exchange resin?

    Ion exchange resin is the material inside a water softener that actually removes hardness minerals from your water. The resin beads carry a charge that attracts and binds calcium and magnesium, swapping them for sodium ions. The resin is reusable for years before it needs replacing.

Payments, Plans & the Environment

  • Can I rent a system instead of buying?

    Yes - we offer rental plans for softeners, filtration systems, and RO systems. Renting is a good option if you'd rather avoid the upfront cost of a full system, or want to try one before committing.
    See Our Rental Plans

  • Do you offer a trial period?

    Yes - every Kent system comes with a 30-Day Trial Period, so you can experience the difference in your own home. Trial terms are confirmed in your service agreement.

  • What's the environmental impact of bottled water?

    Bottled water has a meaningful environmental footprint - producing a single bottle takes far more energy than treating and filtering the same amount of tap water. Most bottles end up in landfills, where they can take hundreds of years to break down, and transportation adds further emissions.

  • Is a water softener bad for the environment because of salt use?

    Kent softeners are engineered to minimize environmental impact. Our systems use smart metering that regenerates only when needed based on your actual household usage, using about 25% less salt than traditional timer-based systems. Correct sizing matters too - an oversized system uses more salt and water than necessary, which is why we start every install with a water test to make sure your system is calibrated exactly to your household.
    Book a Free Water Test

Why Kent

  • Why choose Kent Water Purification Systems?

    We're Ontario-based water treatment specialists serving both municipal and well water customers across the GTA and Southern Ontario, rated 4.9* across 678+ Google reviews. Our team starts with a water test, not a guess, so the system you get is sized and specified for what's actually in your water. We handle installation, after-sales service, and repairs, and stand behind every system we install.
    Book Your Free Consultation

  • What areas does Kent Water serve?

    We serve homeowners and businesses across Peel Region, Halton Region, Waterloo Region, Wellington County, Durham Region, York Region, and the broader Greater Toronto Area - including Mississauga, Cambridge, Brampton, Oakville, Milton, Guelph, Burlington, Oshawa, Vaughan, and surrounding communities throughout Southern Ontario. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, contact us and we'll confirm.
    Book Your Free Consultation

Contact Us

  • Do you work with businesses, or just homes?

    Yes - we serve commercial customers as well as residential. We've installed water treatment systems for car washes, restaurants, dental offices, banquet halls, and cafes, in addition to homes across Southern Ontario. Contact Us to discuss what your business needs.

Schedule your FREE Water Consultation today!
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