One of the primary issues for homeowners contemplating whether or not to install a water softener is upkeep.
Is it terrible news? Water softeners do need some regular maintenance from you.
the positive news This minimum and inexpensive checking is necessary.
When you consider the effects that hard water in a place like Phoenix, Arizona can have on your plumbing and water heater, the expense really seems little.
You will learn all you need to know about how to manage a water softener from these seven basic guidelines.
7 Essential Tips for Water Softener Maintenance
#1. Consistently Check the Salt
The brine tank—where the salt is stored—of your water softener should only truly need to be refilled every two months.
In spite of this, it’s still a good idea to check more regularly.
Check that the salt is moist and coated with water by periodically opening the brine tank lid.
It’s time to add salt to the brine tank if the salt is dry and the water level is low.
If your water softener is more than ten years old, it is very crucial to periodically check the salt level.
The only “water softener maintenance” you typically need to do is this.
However, if you follow these recommendations, your system will operate as long as feasible.
#2. Use Quality Salt
When you do replenish the brine tank in your water softener, use high-quality salt.
Thankfully, salt for water softeners is reasonably priced.
The purest salt available is evaporated salt pellets, so choose them if you want the finest of the best.
However, most salt will work, with the exception of block salt, which should be avoided unless the maker of your water softener clearly advises otherwise.
#3.Know How to Clean a Brine Tank for a Water Softener.
A fantastic example of preventive maintenance is learning how to clean a water softener and using that information on a regular basis.
What is the most effective and straightforward method to do this? Scoop out any residual rocks once the brine tank has almost run out of salt.
The salt will resemble sludge if your softener is especially filthy.
If the brine tank’s bottom is caked with muck, gentle pushing with a stick or broom handle should release it.
Once the sludge has been removed, wash the tank using dishwashing liquid, water, and a brush.
Use mold remover if mold has accumulated on the bottom.
After you’re through, clean the tank, add salt to it, and then let it to regenerate at night.
Voila! That is how a water softener is cleaned.
#4. More Seldom… Knowledge of Water Softener Resin Tank Cleaning
Since you’ll be opening and refilling a brine tank around every two months, cleaning it is a no-brainer.
You may not need this ability very frequently, but knowing how to clean a water softener resin tank is still valuable.
You have resin beads in your water softener.
Even while these beads may be regenerated to reduce accumulation, this procedure becomes less efficient after seven years.
The easiest solution to this is to have the beads themselves replaced by a professional.
But keep in mind, you’ll only need to do this every seven years or so.
However, a do-it-yourself solution entails cleaning the beads with an iron-cleaning solution to give them back some of their effectiveness.
#5. Have Trouble-Spotting Skills
Lack of appropriate soap lather is one indication that you have a water softener.
The ability to identify issues early on is possibly the most important skill in terms of water softener maintenance.
Regularly inspecting the brine tank is a wonderful method to rule out one potential reason in the event of a problem.
But you don’t even have to open the softener to see that something is wrong.
Hard water and soap interact in a manner that precludes effective lathering.
This is a really easy method to check on the state of your water softener every day.
Other things to watch out for include:
- Scale (buildup in pipes, sinks, and bathtubs)
- Very different tastes in water
- Rigid laundry
- Very frequent regeneration (some systems regenerate more often than others but there should be some regularity; if your system begins regenerating on an unusual schedule, take a closer look)
#6. Be Wary of Salt Bridges
A salt bridge is a crust that accumulates and divides the salt and water in your tank.
As a result, the system cannot function correctly.
You may prevent this by adhering to high-quality salt, as mentioned in tip #2.
However, periodically checking for salt bridges is a smart idea.
If you see one, just poke it with a broom and it will eventually give way.
#7. When In Doubt, Get In Touch With Experts!
Maintenance of water softeners is quite typical.
For the majority of a great softener’s lifespan, you shouldn’t encounter many problems that need expert attention.
If, however, difficulties continue even after you’ve done the necessary things, such as:
- Enabling regeneration of the softener
- Determining the salt content
- Getting rid of any salt bridges that may develop
- Replacement or washing of the resin beads
An expert may save you the trouble of fiddling about with the electrical parts of your water softener without having a firm grasp of what you’re doing.
In Phoenix, rely on American Home Water and Air for All Your Water Softener Needs
We really hope that you will put your faith in American Home Water and Air for all of your water softener installation and maintenance requirements, including water softener loop installation, if you reside in Phoenix, Arizona.
(We also do cleaning and maintenance on air conditioners).
You may also discover more how-to articles for fixing common plumbing and HVAC issues, such as an air conditioner that isn’t cooling correctly.
Hard water has long been a problem in Phoenix.
Fortunately, we have more than 30 years of expertise assisting hundreds of customers with the selection, installation, and upkeep of various water treatment systems, including softeners.
FAQs
What happens if the salt in my water softener runs out?
Your water softener won’t function if the salt supply runs out.
Fortunately, this won’t harm the system, but it will take a few days until the water in your house is properly softened again.
Simply refill it as usual, then give it time to regenerate.
How can a water softener’s resin be replaced?
Refer to the handbook for precise instructions on how to replace resin in your water softener.
However, the procedure often calls for considerable expertise and specific equipment.
The softener must be turned off, the valve head must be unscrewed, and the old resin beads must be discarded and replaced with the proper quantity and kind.
Do water softeners need maintenance?
Without expert care, a decent water softening system may endure for years.
Although you may do routine repair and maintenance on your own, you may eventually need to engage an expert to replace the resin beads or solve a more severe problem.
In a water softener, can bacteria grow?
In fact, bacteria may flourish within a water softener.
It is crucial to regularly inspect the brine tank for cleanliness and remove any mold or bacteria that you find.
What is the lifespan of a water softener?
The resin beads in a water softener will start to lose their effectiveness after seven years, but if you take care of the system, it should last you up to 20 years.
