The 4 Worst Things You Can Do to Your Water Softener
A water softener is a very practical item that you can add to your home’s plumbing system — particularly if you have hard water. Hard water contains a lot of calcium and magnesium which can really hinder soap’s ability to clean not only your laundry and your home, but also yourself when you bathe. Limescale buildup is very common with hard water, too, and in some locations, a water softener is an absolute necessity. Luckily, water softeners are very affordable and require minimal maintenance after installation.
However, there are some major mistakes you can make with your water softener if you’re not careful! That’s why we’re here. With a little bit of knowledge, you’ll be able to protect your water conditioning system and protect your investment in your home, too.
Some of the worst things you can do to your water softener:
Neglect The Brine Tank
Periodically, you will need to purchase the salt your system needs to soften and refill the brine tank reservoir. If you neglect to do this task, you won’t be doing much good for your home or your system overall. It’ a general rule of thumb that you should check these levels approximately ever thirty days and fill the salt about three inches above the water level when it’s running low.
Purchasing The Wrong Salt
Not every water conditioning system utilizes the same salt. You’ll want to make sure you know whether you need block salt or granules. Don’t immediately grab the cheapest bag you can find either! There are different quality levels to choose from, and in most cases, the higher the quality, the better the water. Depending on how hard your water is, you may need a higher quality salt, to begin with.
Ignoring The Salt Surface Layer
It’s common for the top of the salt layer to actually develop a hardened surface, which can prevent water from properly flowing through the system. It can also prevent proper absorption of minerals, which is the ultimate goal of your softener. Make sure you check this layer when you check your salt levels and break it up or remove hardened areas if they exist.
Ignoring The Bottom of the Tank
Similar to how the top of the brine tank can develop a hardened layer, the bottom of the tank can develop a very soft and mushy layer. You may want to let the salt dissolve down to a low level occasionally and keep an eye on things to make sure everything is ok on the bottom of the tank.
Just like every other aspect of your home, your water system will need routine maintenance as well. If you keep an eye on things and schedule routine maintenance you can ensure your system will stay intact and you’ll have the best water in your home always!
Looking to install or service a water softening system? Contact a water specialist online or call toll-free: 1-888-741-9025 for a free quote and in-home water analysis.
For more information, check out our blog: Water Softener FAQs: Common Water Softening Questions Answered
