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.

How Cold Weather Affects Water Softeners

1. Slower Ion Exchange Process:

The core process in a water softener is ion exchange, where minerals like calcium and magnesium are replaced with sodium or potassium ions. Cold temperatures can slow down this chemical process, making the water softener less efficient.

2. Risk of Freezing:

In extremely cold temperatures, there’s a risk of parts of the water softener, especially those installed in unheated areas like basements or garages, freezing. This can cause damage to the system and interrupt its operation.

3. Increased Demand on the System:

Winter often leads to an increased usage of hot water in homes, putting additional demand on water softeners. This can stress the system, especially if it’s already working less efficiently due to the cold.

Tips for Maintaining Water Softener Efficiency in Winter

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes:

Insulate any exposed pipes connected to your water softener to protect them from freezing. Use foam pipe insulation or heating tape for this purpose.

2. Check the System Regularly:

Regularly inspect your water softener for signs of freezing or other malfunctions, especially after a cold snap.

3. Maintain an Adequate Salt Level:

Ensure the salt level in the brine tank is always adequate, as a low salt level can further reduce the efficiency of the system in cold weather.

4. Adjust Settings if Necessary:

Consider adjusting the settings of your water softener if you notice a decrease in soft water supply. Consult your user manual or a professional for guidance on this.

5. Keep the System Warm:

If your water softener is located in a colder part of your house, consider ways to keep the area warmer, such as using a space heater or improving insulation.

6. Schedule a Pre-Winter Checkup:

Have a professional inspect and service your water softener before the onset of winter. This can help identify and rectify any issues that might be exacerbated by cold weather.

The impact of cold weather on water softening systems is significant but manageable with proper care and maintenance. By understanding these impacts and taking proactive steps, homeowners can ensure their water softeners continue to function efficiently throughout the winter months. Remember, a well-maintained water softener not only provides soft water but also contributes to the longevity and efficiency of your home’s plumbing and heating systems. Stay warm and soft-watered this 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:

1. Replace the Filters Regularly:

Every RO system comes with filters that need regular replacement. Familiarize yourself with the brand and model you have and make sure to follow the recommended replacement schedule. By doing this, you can ensure continuous and optimal water flow.

2. Don’t Forget the Membrane, if You Have an Older Model:

The membrane in an RO system is crucial for water purification. It’s responsible for removing up to 97.6% of contaminants, giving you bottled-quality water. While other filters target chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, and organic materials, the membrane ensures overall water purity. Generally, membranes are replaced every three to four years, but it’s easy to forget. Check yours and replace it if necessary. TDS count will tell you when it is necessary.

3. Ensure Proper Air Pressure in the Tank:

The water storage tank of your RO system contains a bladder that holds the purified water. This bladder needs the right amount of air pressure to release water effectively. Without adequate air pressure, you might find your system dispensing less water than expected – sometimes just half a pot before stopping.

To remedy this:

• Locate the Air Valve: It’s similar to the one you see on bicycle tires.
• Empty the Tank: Before adjusting the pressure, ensure that the tank is empty.
• Use a Bicycle Pump: Gently add air, usually around 6 to 8 lbs. It might take around half a pump, but be cautious. Overfilling can damage the bladder and render the tank useless.

For a visual guide, there are numerous informative videos on YouTube that detail the process.

If you need further clarification on optimizing your RO system or have other related questions, we at Simple Water Softeners are here to assist you. Contact us at (210) 960-2555 or through our contact form. Your access to clean water is our priority.

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.

1.Why Changing the Battery is Important:

A. Consistent Performance:The battery in your water softener valve powers the system’s control panel when you have loss of power, which regulates the regeneration cycle. Changing the battery ensures the control panel functions properly, maintaining consistent water softening performance.

B. Preventing System Malfunctions:A weak or dead battery can cause the control panel to malfunction, resulting in ineffective water softening or potential damage to your system.

C. Avoiding Costly Repairs:Regular battery replacement can help prevent system failures and costly repairs, saving you time and money in the long run.

D. Ensuring Accurate Timekeeping:The battery also powers the control panel’s clock, which is essential for maintaining the system’s programmed settings. Replacing the battery helps ensure accurate timekeeping and proper system operation.

2. When and How to Change the Battery:

A. Frequency:It’s recommended to change the battery in your water softener valve, such as the 2032, approximately every five years. This timeframe may vary depending on the specific model and usage, so consult your system’s manual for guidance.

B. Signs of a Weak Battery:Watch for signs of a weak battery, such as erratic control panel behavior, incorrect time display, or system malfunctions. These may indicate it’s time for a battery replacement.

C. Steps to Change the Battery:

i. Take off the valve cover. Two tabs one on left one on right pull outward cover will come off.

ii. Look for battery top left corner. Slide out old battery.

iii. Insert the new Duracell 2032 battery, ensuring the correct polarity.

iv. Put cover back on.

vi Check the control panel’s display and settings to ensure proper function.

D. Safety Precautions:Remember to follow safety precautions when changing the battery, such as turning off the power supply and wearing protective gloves to prevent any contact with water or electricity.

3. Additional Water Softener Maintenance Tips:

A. Regular Inspections:In addition to changing the battery, regularly inspect your water softener system for signs of wear or damage, such as leaks or worn-out parts.

B. Salt Level Monitoring:Check the salt level in the brine tank and replenish as needed to ensure optimal water softening performance.

C. Professional Maintenance:Schedule periodic professional maintenance with Simple Water Softeners to keep your system running efficiently and address any potential issues.

Changing the battery in your water softener valve is a simple yet essential maintenance task that can help ensure the longevity and performance of your system. By following the guidelines provided in this post and staying diligent with other maintenance tasks, you can keep your water softener operating at its best. For more information on water softener maintenance or to schedule professional service, contact Simple Water Softeners today.

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.

1. Bypassing the Water Softener: If you’re experiencing low or inconsistent water pressure, the first step is to bypass your water softener. By doing so, you’ll be able to determine if the issue is related to the softener or if there’s another problem at hand. If your water pressure returns to normal after bypassing the softener, it’s likely that the issue lies within the softening system.
2. Understanding Resin Issues: Water softeners contain resin beads inside the tank, which help remove hard minerals from your water supply. Over time, the resin can degrade and become less effective, turning into a jelly-like consistency that obstructs water flow and reduces pressure. If your water pressure issues seem to come and go over a period of days, it’s possible that your resin is beginning to fail.
3. Regeneration and Deteriorating Resin: When your water softener regenerates, it cleans the resin beads and temporarily restores water pressure. However, if the resin is deteriorating, the pressure will likely decrease again within a few days. As the resin continues to degrade, you may notice a more significant drop in water pressure. In such cases, it’s essential to schedule a resin replacement for your water softener.
4. High-Quality vs. Low-Quality Softeners: If you own a high-quality water softener, finding a professional to replace the resin should be relatively easy. However, if you have a lower-end unit, it might be more cost-effective to retire the softener and invest in a new, higher-quality system.
5. When to Call for Help: If bypassing your water softener doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s essential to contact your water company to investigate any possible problems on their end. In case of sudden, unusual low water pressure, it’s always best to consult a professional to diagnose and address the issue.

Low water pressure can be a significant inconvenience, but understanding the role of your water softener in the problem can help you find a solution. If you suspect that your water softener is causing pressure fluctuations or sudden drops in pressure, don’t hesitate to call Lisa at (210) 960-2555 for expert advice and assistance in resolving the issue. With the right approach, you can restore your home’s water pressure and enjoy the full benefits of your water softening system.

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.

Once media has been mixed together and years later when someone opens it up they can only guess what all is in there. At Simple Water Softeners, we do not mix media. We feel the correct way is to put different media in a different tank. Medias, resin, carbon, KDF it all has different life spans. So when mixing together in a single tank you cannot change out the different medias as they actually expire. Most people will end up waiting for the resin to go bad and then replace everything. But the carbon expired four to six years prior to that. Know how much media of each and the life span. It does no good to have something that will only last 6 months, yet you change in 8 years.  Just as anything, there is a vast number of brands with all different levels of quality. 

If you have an iron breaker, it is very important to know what media you have in the tank. People will get a new well and run an extensive water analysis. The equipment is set up for the results. But again years later, probably 10 to 12 the media needs to exchanged out for new. The majority of houses just need the basic media, but if yours has something special, unless you run a new water analysis you may not get the correct replacement. So, know what was put into your tanks.

Take care of your water softener is to take care of your loved ones, so call the experts for a consultation about your water softener media. Don’t hesitate! Call us now at (210) 960-2555 or email us at lisa@simplewatersofteners.com

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.

We know all about the most common issue with water softeners. With so much humidity in the air when you put too much salt in the brine tank, salt will get hard and caked together. The Water Softener unit will regenerate and wash the salt out of the bottom of the tank during cycle. The salt above the water line has gotten hard and caked together so, it will not fall to the bottom of the tank. You can kick on the bottom of tank and you will actually hear it is hollow and you will have to break up the salt and make it fall to the bottom.

Remember a lot of brine tank have a plastic plate at the bottom. It is about 6 inches from the bottom so, do not poke the broomstick to the bottom of tank or you will damage this plate. Use a broomstick or something try to break up the salt, if it is not breaking up get a pitcher of very hot water, and pour on the inside of the tank around the edges and then tap around the edges of tank. You will see it fall to the bottom. Some people give the brine tank one swift kick and they will see fall to the bottom. If you need more help there is videos on You Tube “How to break up a salt bridge”.

The Water Softener unit needs brine water “Salty Water” to wash the resin during regeneration to make the calcium let go of the resin bead so it can be washed down the drain at the water softener. So, if there is no salt at the bottom of tank to dissolve it will not have brine water, just plain water. This is because plain water does nothing to remove the calcium from the beads so, it will regenerate but the calcium will not let go of the beads. When it finishes regenerating the water starts to pass by the beads but have no place to stick to the beads because they are full of calcium so, the calcium comes into the house and you have hard water.

If you find a salt bridge, break it up then you need to do a manual regeneration cycle. Bur remember it takes salty water brine water. The salt and water need to sit for a while about 4 hours, it will regenerate the cold water will be soft. If you had hard water for a few days the hot water will take a few days.

If you find no salt bridge you will need to have your system looked at. Simple Water Softeners repairs many brands just give us a call (210) 960-2555 we will see if we can help you out.