Your water softener requires regular maintenance to keep it running at top performance like any other household appliance. And with water continuously running through it, rust and other residues can build up if you don’t clean it and have it serviced regularly. This is especially true if you have hard water.
Although you should regularly have your system serviced by a professional, there are some DIY things you can do to keep your water softener working well. Whether you have a new softener or simply want to keep your current system working great, following the tips we will discuss will help keep your system operating at its best.
#1. Check the Salt Levels Regularly
The tank you put salt in is called a brine tank. Your brine tank should only need to be refilled every couple of months. However, you will need to frequently check to ensure that the salt is wet and covered with water.
Checking salt levels is especially essential if your water softener is over ten years old. If the water level looks low and the salt is dry, it’s time to add more salt.
#2. Use Quality Salt
Using quality salt is essential, and thankfully softener salt is relatively inexpensive. Evaporated salt pellets are the top-line option as they are the purest. Unless recommended by your water softener manufacturer, the only salt you should stay away from is block salt.
#3. Clean the Brine Tank
An excellent form of preventative maintenance is knowing how to clean the brine tank and then perform regular cleanings. But how do you do this?
When the brine tank is almost out of salt, remove the remaining salt from the tank. When you’ve completely cleared out the tank, clean it with detergent, a brush, and water. If you notice mold, you can use a mold remover if you would like. After the tank is clean, refill the salt and allow it to regenerate overnight.
#4. Clean the Resin Tank
Water softeners contain resin beads. The regeneration process typically removes any buildup on the beads. However, this becomes less effective when the beads are around seven years. A professional can come out and replace the beads, or you could use an iron-cleansing formula to clean the beads yourself.
#5. Learn How to Recognize Potential Problems
One of the best things you can do is learn how to recognize problems before they become more severe. You don’t have to be a water softener professional to notice when something is going on. Here are some things to be on the lookout for.
- Soap doesn’t lather properly
- Scale buildup on bathtubs, sinks, and pipes
- Water that starts tasting different
- Stiff laundry
- A system that is regenerating more often than usual
#6. Watch For, and Remove Salt Bridges
When salt builds up between the salt and water, it is a salt bridge. A salt bridge will prevent your system from running correctly. If you are using quality salt, you shouldn’t have any issues. However, if you notice a salt bridge, they are easily broken up using a stick or a broom handle.
#7. Know When to Call in the Professionals
Keeping up with maintenance on your water softener is pretty simple, and you shouldn’t run into any significant problems for the majority of the life of your water softener. However, if you do run into issues, it’s essential to know when to enlist the help of professionals, especially when it comes to the electrical components of your softener.
Call in the professionals if you’ve run into a problem that isn’t resolved after you have:
- Allowed the softener to regenerate
- Checked salt levels
- Checked for and cleared salt bridges
- Rinsed or replaced resin beads
#8. Add a Prefilter
If you live in an area where the water contains sediment, sand, clay, iron, or other substances, your softener may get clogged or damaged. A prefilter can remove these contaminants from the water supply before the water reaches your softener, and they typically last for six to nine months before needing to be replaced.
A prefilter should be installed by your water softener company when they install your system. For an existing system, it’s best to contact an expert to install a prefilter unless you have decent plumbing skills.
Let Independent Water Service Keep Your Water Softener Running Like New
Today, water softeners can last for years and require little maintenance. However, regular professional maintenance on your water softener will help keep issues at bay and provide your family with the cleanest, clearest water possible.
If you’re having issues with your water softener, or if you are looking to schedule regular maintenance, trust the expert technicians at Independent Water Service. And if you’re looking for a new solution for your water problems, our technicians can perform a free water analysis and help you choose which system works for you. Our free water analysis checks for impurities, softness, and other elements that may affect your household or business’ water.
Contact us today to schedule your FREE water analysis.