We had always used Chris, the plumber that owns/operates this Northern Maryland Water (Rainsoft -…read moreForest Hill) vendor. However, during our last service when we had asked specifically for Chris, even confirming his schedule with us the night before with Kim (his mother?), some new guy turns up at our door, instead. While he was a nice enough guy, the service was poor and our water started tasting 'wrong' within a few days. We contacted a different vendor, and they changed the chemicals that the Chris substitute had used, and everything was fine after that. Most recently, Kim from Northern Maryland Water (Rainsoft - Forest Hill) won't stop bombarding us with automated texts and AI phone calls telling us to call them because out service is out of date. When we answer the phone, it's not a real person. This vendor used to be a friendly, courteous, and trustworthy company, but no longer. They have definitely lost their appeal.

Buyer Beware Here are the most commonly cited reasons why…read moremany homeowners, including us, regret purchasing a RainSoft water treatment system and why we advise others to avoid them entirely. You're locked into a single dealer for life: RainSoft does not sell direct to consumers. Every system is sold and serviced exclusively through authorized dealers. Once installed, only that dealer (or another RainSoft dealer they approve) can supply filters, salt, replacement parts, or perform warranty service. If your local dealer is unresponsive, overpriced, or goes out of business, you're stuck. Many owners report being held hostage for basic maintenance. Dramatically overpriced compared to equivalent systems: A typical RainSoft EC4 or EC5 system often costs $6,000-$10,000+ installed. Identical (or better) performance can be had from brands like Culligan, Kinetico, Hague, or even big-box store softeners (Flecks, Whirlpool, GE) for $1,500-$4,000. The premium is almost entirely dealer markup and commission. Aggressive, high-pressure in-home sales tactics: RainSoft is notorious for the "free water test" that turns into a 2-3 hour hard-sell presentation in your kitchen. Former dealers and customers frequently describe bait-and-switch pricing, scare tactics about your water ("your family is bathing in poison!"), and financing traps with 15-20% interest rates buried in the paperwork. Proprietary parts and "closed" system design: Filters, resin, valves, and even the brine tank parts are proprietary. You cannot buy replacements on Amazon, from plumbing supply houses, or from competitors. Dealers routinely charge $300-$600 for a simple carbon filter that costs $40-$80 retail in an open system. Mediocre or outdated technology for the price: Many RainSoft units still use old-school clack valves and timed regeneration rather than true demand-initiated regeneration that most modern softeners have. Competitors often include Wi-Fi monitoring, better salt efficiency, and longer warranties at half the price. Warranty is tied to the dealer, not RainSoft corporate: The "lifetime" or 25-year warranty sounds great in the sales pitch, but it's only honored if you stay "current" with annual service from your selling dealer--at their prices. Miss a year or move to an area without a cooperative dealer and the warranty evaporates. Financing horror stories: Many buyers are pushed into 10-15 year financing through third-party lenders (Greensky, Synchrony, etc.) at sky-high interest rates. People end up paying $15,000-$20,000 over time for a system worth $2,500. Poor resale value and transfer issues: When you sell your house, the next owner usually discovers they're now chained to the same dealer network. This frequently becomes a negotiation point or outright deal-killer. In short: RainSoft isn't a scam in the sense that the equipment usually works, but it's a classic "razor-and-blades" model on steroids. You pay luxury-car money for mid-tier equipment because they control the ongoing revenue stream through the dealer network. Most people who do their research after the high-pressure sale wish they had bought literally any nationally available brand instead. We regret our choice. Don't make the same mistake we did.

They came fast and called to take the samples a couple attempts they made on me that not been done…read morebut they do follow up to make sure it satisfied and the job done right around a 500$ cost never done it personally b4 to know if that high but that included replacement of a 75$ cap that was cracked and they were also able to provide info on some questions just getting this in my responsibility that I didn't even know the wells should be bleached

I found this business by their Facebook page. My well pump began to rapidly cycle which I suspected…read morewas a bad pressure tank. They arrived promptly at 9 am and went to work to replace the well tank, low pressure switch, and manifold pipes with all stainless steel. Excellent service and fair pricing!

I have been dealing with Grove Plumbing and Heating for about 35 years. I am always satisfied with…read moretheir work. I recently had two toilets replaced with the taller models. They brought good quality products, came when they said. Before they left, they cleaned up any mess and took the old toilets with them. Over the years I've had them involved when I had two bathrooms and the kitchen remodelled, replaced an ugly gold toilet, and hooked up my gas dryer, according to code. (If left to myself, I probably would have blown up the house.) Fortunately I don't need a plumber often but when I do Grove Plumbing and Heating is always my first choice.

We have used Grove for over 50 years and have never had a problem. Can't tell you how many times…read moreI've called and they've sent someone to the house within 24 hours. The service techs have been polite and professional. I've never felt they have overcharged for services rendered.

Father above is still happy? Father above has been in a memory care facility since immediately…read moreafter his interaction with this company. You've had no contact with father above OTHER THAN TO PLACE A LEIN ON HIS PROPERTY FOR FAILURE TO PAY. A truly disgusting company and a horrible way to treat the seniors in the community. This company is predatory and took full advantage of my father.

Called liberty pure for lost water pressure in second floor of home on a well pump. "Plumber" came…read moreout the next day looked around downstairs talked to my fiancé on the first floor checked the kitchen faucet pressure and left. I got home called them back after going upstairs where the issue was and let them know it still was not fixed. Another day goes by with no water pressure on our second level, a different guy comes out. Plumber this time, finds the issue a main ball valve not opening all the way and changed our filters. Gave me invoice and i paid in full at this point 8/10 experience but i was still happy. Even asked him to give me a estimate for a water softener system in the future when we remodel the basement which he did. Then he tells me he does not have the correct 3/4" main ball valve on his truck and he would have to come back to install it, no problem. Days go by so i call the office and explain the issue was fixed but i was left with no main shutoff valve for my well she tells me no its fine just cut off the well pump breaker if i ever need to kill "water pressure to home".. No, i want a main valve installed. She insists on saying they will install it IF i have them install the water softener system. I explain thats not going to happen anytime soon i need a main valve installed . She then sends another "plumber" out and he installs a cpvc SHARK BITE ball valve instead of the threaded main valve that they removed. I was charged again for another service call fee and materials. When I refused to pay the service call fee because no real plumber installs a shark bite valve that spins around on the cpvc they then had a lawyer send me a threatening letter for $230 Invoice is paid now i will share my experience on all platforms.

Friendly. Fast. Professional. Thorough…read more The first face to face was with the owner and so was the last. A diagnostic appointment of the existing water softener/neutralizer brought to light that the existing system had a flush line installed directly to my sewer line which is a code violation and is incredibly dangerous, as if putting a hose directly into my toilet with no measures taken to prevent back flow into my drinking water. Atlantic Blue's plumber and installer, Mike Haines, flushed the existing system, flushed all exits, replacing a clogged kitchen faucet and bathroom spigot jammed with sediment, as well as installing a new p-trap blocking the back flow of noxious gases and sediment into the new flush line. A recheck for bacteria contamination reflected an all clear and now a system that used to irritate my skin is now up and running without issue. I would definitely recommend this co. Ask for Mike to complete your install.

Four years ago, they replaced my water pressure tank and several failing fittings, and installed a…read morereverse osmosis (RO) system. Given the cost of this work, I expected durable materials, proactive recommendations, and transparent guidance. Unfortunately, both experiences have left me disappointed -- and more importantly, concerned about trust. Regarding the pressure tank: during installation, their team very likely observed an older, visibly corroded metal well intake pipe that had likely been in place for nearly 20 years under prior ownership. Fast forward to today -- I noticed heavy white corrosion on the 4.5-year-old brass fitting and an active water leak. Given the risk of catastrophic failure, I called for urgent service. To their credit, they arrived within two hours, which I appreciated. However, I was then told the metal pipework was not covered under the tank warranty and that it should be replaced with stainless steel -- which they acknowledged would last longer and resist corrosion better than the prior installation -- at a cost of $1,400. When a contractor identifies visibly corroded infrastructure during an install, I expect clear risk disclosure and upgrade options at that time -- not four years later when failure is imminent and the homeowner has little choice. Now to the RO system: at installation, I was told the filters were widely available commercially and easy to replace. I later learned the filters are proprietary and only sold through water system companies -- not readily available via retail as originally represented. That distinction materially affects long-term cost and flexibility. Years later, I called to ask how to sanitize the RO system myself. I was told it's something only they can do and that they would handle sanitization when delivering the next set of filters (rather than shipping them), which I accepted. After the technician sanitized the lines, he casually told me, "You know you can sanitize the lines yourself." That is exactly what I had asked about over the phone. I relied on their guidance, only to hear the opposite in person. For tradespeople working inside a home -- especially on critical water infrastructure -- trust and clarity are foundational. When guidance changes, material limitations aren't disclosed up front, or foreseeable corrosion isn't proactively addressed, it raises concerns beyond just cost. While I appreciate the prompt emergency response, the combination of reactive fixes, proprietary product limitations, and inconsistent communication has made this an unsatisfactory experience overall.

We had a 20 year old water system in our house, that had what seemed like a million different…read moreparts, and was using up 20 bags of salt every two weeks! Scott came out and was able to totally streamline what we had, making the whole set up understandable, easy to maintain, and so much less costly. We are using a fraction of the salt used before the repair, the system is quieter, and the water is clean! We found Scott's prices very reasonable, and the quality of his service was amazing.

My new husband had used this service in the past for the well water cleaning and conditioner…read moresystem. Called them again and they were able to schedule us the same week. Carl was our technician and met me in the driveway. Explained they were using gloves and masks. He was very professional and efficient. Answered all of my questions too! Super grateful for good companies like this!

We wanted a whole house purifier to get rid of our hard water and chlorine. We met with several…read morecompanies. We were impressed with the product from Pure Aqua and the warranty. The plumber did an amazing job. The company is easy to schedule with and leaves your home neat when they leave. I would recommend them.

From the owner: Enjoy a complimentary water analysis right at your kitchen sink! We'll test your city or well water…read morewith immediate results. Great water quality starts with knowing what's in your water. CALL US to schedule your water test today.

Matt and Carroll Water Systems, offered through Costco, is the worst in Maryland, MD. The scheduler…read moreand service provider in Maryland, MD don't communicate. Please don't buy the product from them; they lack total customer service. The scheduler doesn't communicate properly after aligning with the customer's request for a window of 4 hours. The technician arrives early, as they say the 15-minute wait time starts from the time he arrives. They are very arrogant and won't wait a minute extra. I would recommend investors not fund this company.

I love my RO system from Carroll Water. Years ago , they set it up correctly to accommodate my…read morekitchen sink and refrigerator for ice and water! Matt, my most recent tech was very knowledge And professional. Where they loose me is in their scheduling department . Clearly all the schedulers are educated to do is make appts. As the front line call center they should have some 'basic knowledge ' of the systems and at least forward any technical questions to a tech ! The scheduling department failed me. I wasted Matt's time and my money on an unnecessary service visit. We will be building a new house and Matt gave me fantastic advice so we will consider Carroll Water based on his ability to service the system. I will welcome a call from a tech manager or a scheduling manager or even the CEO to discuss what would make this company top notch and receive 5 stars.

My water well pump was sucking air. After reading the reviews and doing some research on different…read morecompanies, I went with Jones Well Drilling out of Harford Co - (410) 692-6981 - the guys who came out were knowledgeable and explained everything they were doing to trouble shoot the issue thoroughly. I only needed a new check valve and they are testing my water for me at no charge. There was no upselling, they explained how they get paid per job NOT on commission, which gave me peace of mind. Thank you Jones Well Drilling for a job well done!

Dave Kelly is the best in the business. He put my well and pump in when we built our new home and…read morehad always been quick to respond whenever we had a problem - like when an electric strike took out our well pump. Was there within two hours and replace it that day. Highly recommend them.