Free advice in the convenience of your home.
Expert impartial advice provided.
A water softener is a crucial piece of household technology. It reduces the amount of hard minerals introduced into a home's plumbing system, which helps prevent soap scum streaks, scale buildup on appliances, and other problems associated with hard water. However, the water softener is only effective if it has the correct amount of salt to operate properly.
As the resin beads in your water softener collect hard minerals, they become saturated and must be recharged with salt. This process will be interrupted without adding salt to the brine tank, and your water softener will not regenerate.
The best way to know when your water softener needs salt is to check the salt level in the tank. Many water softeners have an indicator light or a clear tube that allows homeowners to see how much salt remains in the tank. However, most older tanks lack indicators, meaning they must be checked manually.
When refilling the brine tank, it is important to use high-quality salt formulated for water softeners. Using the wrong type of salt can lead to an excessive amount of salt being added and cause problems with your water softener. The best way to avoid overfilling the brine tank is to check the level regularly and only fill it when it's below the halfway mark.
Another indication that the water softener needs more salt is when it starts producing extra-salty water during the regeneration cycle. This can be caused by several factors, such as the resin bed becoming clogged or a clog in the water softener's plumbing system. In such cases, contact a professional technician to resolve the problem.
Whether you're using an old or new water softener, checking the salt levels in the tank is essential to maintaining your system. If you're unsure how often you should add salt to the brine tank, it's always a good idea to consult your water treatment expert for advice. We at Pure Choice Quality Water can provide you with a guideline on how frequently you should be adding salt and suggest the right size of salt for your specific water softener.