Water softener (two tanks)
- Look for
- a tall, narrow tank with a control valve on top, next to a shorter, wider tank that holds salt.
- What it does
- removes hardness that causes scale, spots, and dry skin.
Equipment Guide
What Water Equipment Do I Have?
Picture guide2-minute checkHelp if you're unsureMost water equipment lives where the water line enters the house: the basement, utility room, or garage. Drinking water systems usually sit under the kitchen sink. Find it, then match it to a picture below.
Before You Look
- Check near the water heater and where the main line comes in.
- Look under the kitchen sink for small filters and a tank.
- Grab a phone flashlight; labels are often on the back or top.
Match Your Equipment
Water softener (cabinet)
- Look for
- one box about waist high with a lid you lift to add salt, and a control panel on top.
- What it does
- the same as a two-tank softener, in one housing.
Reverse osmosis drinking water system
- Look for
- three or four filter canisters and a small round tank under the kitchen sink, plus a small separate faucet on the counter.
- What it does
- purifies drinking and cooking water.
Iron or problem-water filter
- Look for
- a tall tank with a control valve but no salt tank beside it. Rust or orange stains in sinks and toilets are a common sign.
- What it does
- removes iron, sulfur (rotten-egg smell), or manganese.
Whole-home cartridge filter
- Look for
- one or two blue or clear housings on the main water line, with a replaceable cartridge inside.
- What it does
- catches sediment and improves taste and odor for the whole house.
UV disinfection
- Look for
- a long metal tube on the water line with a small control box and a power light. Common with private wells.
- What it does
- treats bacteria in well water without chemicals.
Find the Label
Look for a Finken sticker or a model label on the control valve, the side of the tank, or the salt-tank lid. A photo of that label is the fastest way for us to identify it.
Still not sure?
Send us a request and mention what you see. A Finken specialist will help identify it by phone, or at your equipment and water check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the equipment working if water still feels hard?
Possibly not. Common causes are an empty salt tank, the valve left in bypass, or worn resin. A check sorts it out.
How old is too old?
Many softeners run 10 to 15 years. Age matters less than water results, which is why the check starts with a test.
Can you service equipment Finken didn't install?
Yes. We work on all makes and models.