Looking for water softener cleaning instructions? You’re fortunate! The installation and upkeep of water softeners is our area of expertise at American Home Water and Air.
Here are some advice that we have learned throughout the course of our 30+ years in business in Phoenix, Arizona.
4 Tips for Cleaning a Water Softener
#1. Discover A Water Softener Resin Tank Cleaning Method
Since this tank is in charge of the water softener’s softening qualities, understanding how to clean a resin tank is essential.
Don’t worry if you don’t know what a resin tank is; it’s really easy to understand.
Negatively charged resin particles are in your water softener.
Calcium-containing minerals that cause scale adhere to these beads as your water travels through them.
Your water softener will often clear these beads with a flush.
However, a prevalent myth holds that maintenance is not necessary until the 15–20 year replacement period.
On the contrary, you should regularly give them a thorough cleaning.
When the tank regenerates more often than normal, you’ll know it’s time.
There are several bottles of resin bead cleansers available; for detailed instructions, see the handbook for your particular machine.
Give us a call if you reside in the Phoenix region and bought your water softener from us; we’ll be pleased to send you in the correct route.
#2. It’s Also Crucial To Understand How To Clean A Water Softener Brine Tank.
Two tanks make up your water softener.
The resin beads are kept in one, which we just spoke about, while the salt pellets are kept in the other.
These salt pellets may sometimes degrade and create a kind of’sludge’ in the tank.
This accumulation won’t harm the water softener if you know how to clean the brine tank.
Grab a small shovel and clear the muck when the salt supply starts to run low, which will happen at least once a year.
You may need to dig far or even smash at the salt if it has solidified.
On rare occasions, mold may also develop at the brine tank’s bottom.
In this situation, you’ll need to totally empty it and clean the inside.
#3. Use Bleach Sparingly To Clean Out A Water Softener.
You may do what is referred to as a “bleach cycle” on the whole machine if you find mold in the water softener tank.
To ensure that the manufacturer endorses this technique, be sure to consult the softener’s handbook.
You should add one cup of bleach to the brine tank for a 9-inch tank.
Use two cups for a 12-inch tank.
The system should then be manually regenerated after closing the tank’s lid.
Make careful to wait until the full regeneration process is finished before drinking water from your faucet.
And that’s how you use bleach to clean out a water softener!
#4. Beware of Salt Bridges
Another problem that often occurs in the brine tanks of water softeners is salt bridges.
It happens when a salty “bridge” builds across a portion of the softener.
This can give the impression that the brine tank is full.
But if you poke at it with a stick or a shovel, it will fall apart.
Make it a practice to periodically check for these salt bridges, particularly if you observe that the tank seems to be staying full for an unusually long time.
Due to the fact that more recent water softeners tend to utilize less salt, salt bridges are especially prevalent.
Longer-sitting salt has more time to develop bridges.
Conclusion on How To Clean A Water Softener
A water softener is simple to clean.
When you replace the salt around once a month, it’s simple to check on the cleanliness of the brine tank in particular.
If the machine’s maker permits it, be sure to run a bleach cycle through it every so often.
Use specialized resin bead cleanser to freshen the beads in between the typical replacement cycle of 15-20 years if your water softener regenerates more often than normal.
Finally, keep an eye out for salt bridges.
These are simple to get rid of using a shovel or stick.
Give us a call if you’re truly confused and want to consult an expert! We provide plumbing and HVAC services in Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Scottsdale, Mesa, and many other cities in the greater Phoenix region.
FAQs
How can a water cleaner’s inside be cleaned?
You may access the brine tank in its entirety, open it up, and scrape away as much as you wish.
The resin tank of a water softener, on the other hand, is often sealed since the beads themselves will last about as long as the device.
Even so, you may clean these beads without opening the tank by running a resin bead cleaning solution through the system.
Does vinegar work in a water softener?
Yes, adhere to the same guidelines when using bleach to clean the tank.
If you’d prefer merely clean the brine tank instead of performing a complete cycle, you may also combine the vinegar and water.
What does a water softener’s brine well do?
The salt pellets are kept in the brine well of a water softener.
These salt pellets are used by the system to carry out an ion exchange that purges the mineral ions from your water.
How often should a water softener brine tank be cleaned?
Every time the brine tank is refilled, you should clean it.
This calls for a monthly cleaning.
Check the tank in particular for sludge and mold.
