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Water softeners have become much easier to troubleshoot than in the past. While repairing a water softener can be challenging, with the right knowledge, you can fix common issues and get your system back up and running in no time.
One of the most common issues with water softeners, especially in humid climates, is the formation of a salt bridge in the brine tank. This occurs when salt becomes hard and caked together, preventing it from dissolving properly during the regeneration cycle.
When you add too much salt to the brine tank, the salt can harden above the water line, forming a bridge. The softener unit regenerates and washes the salt out of the bottom of the tank during the cycle, but the hardened salt above the water line doesn’t fall to the bottom. To check for a salt bridge, gently tap the outside of the tank. If it sounds hollow, a salt bridge may have formed.
Most brine tanks have a plastic plate about six inches from the bottom. Be careful not to damage this plate when breaking up the salt. Here’s how you can break up a salt bridge safely:
For visual learners, YouTube has several helpful videos on breaking up a salt bridge.
The water softener unit requires brine water (salty water) to wash the resin during regeneration. This process helps remove calcium from the resin beads, which is then washed down the drain. Without proper brine water, the unit regenerates with plain water, which does not remove calcium from the beads. Consequently, the beads remain full of calcium, and hard water continues to flow into your home.
After breaking up a salt bridge, manually regenerate the system. Allow the salt and water to sit for about four hours to create brine water. Once regenerated, the cold water should be soft immediately, but it may take a few days for the hot water to become soft again if hard water has been an issue.
If you do not find a salt bridge or the issue persists, it’s time to call a professional. Simple Water Softeners repairs many brands and can help diagnose and fix the problem. Give us a call at (210) 960-2555, and we’ll assist you in resolving your water softener issues.
By addressing these common problems, you can ensure your water softener operates efficiently, providing your home with the soft water it needs.
As homeowners in cooler climates, particularly during the brisk winter months, it’s crucial to understand how the drop in temperature can impact the efficiency of water softening systems. While these systems are vital for managing hard water problems, cold weather introduces specific challenges that require attention and action. In this blog post, we’ll delve into how cold weather affects water softeners and provide practical tips for homeowners to ensure their systems remain efficient and effective throughout the winter.
Having a reverse osmosis (RO) system at home ensures that you receive clean and high-quality water. But if you notice a decline in water output, it might be due to a few common issues. Here are some steps to help you optimize the performance of your RO system:
Maintaining your water softener system is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and prolonging its lifespan. One often overlooked, but essential aspect of maintenance is changing the battery in the water softener valve. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of replacing the battery in your water softener valve, specifically the 2032 battery, every five years, and provide tips on how to do it.
Low water pressure in your home can be frustrating and inconvenient, impacting everything from showering to washing dishes. If you’ve noticed fluctuating water pressure or a sudden drop in pressure, your water softener might be the culprit. In this blog post, we’ll explore the connection between water pressure and water softeners, as well as provide guidance on troubleshooting and resolving the issue.
You need to know what is in your water softener. It all sounds good when you buy it but years down the line when you need work done to it, you do not remember what is in there. What type of media and what quantity of each is very important.
The good news is that water softeners are much easier to troubleshoot than they used to be, and while water softener repair can be challenging, with the right kind of knowledge, you can fix even the most common issues when your water softener is not working and get it back up and running in no time.