What Is a Water Softener

A water softener is a machine used to remove minerals that cause issues like water hardness. Its main purpose is to remove minerals such as calcium and magnesium from water. A water softener works through a process called ion exchange. The hard water passes through a tank filled with resin beads. These beads are coated with sodium ions. When water passes through the tank, the calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to the resin beads. The calcium and magnesium ions in the hard water are then replaced with sodium ions, making the water softer.

Good to Know

Water softener cleaning should be done at least once a year.

Ways to Maintain a Water Softener

Get Rid of Salt Mushing and Salt Bridges

Salt bridges are hard crusts that form when salt starts to clog inside the tank. The salt forms a bridge, preventing it from reaching the bottom of the tank. This problem occurs when there is high humidity and you choose the wrong salt type.

You also need to get rid of salt mushing. This is when the salt forms a mushy layer at the base of the tank, which leads to clogging in the tank instead of mixing with water. This can lead to the water overflowing. It is necessary to check the tank to see if it has developed salt mushing or bridges and get rid of them quickly before any severe damage occurs.

Choose the Right Salt

Choose the correct type of salt for your water softener. The right high-quality salt can improve the longevity of your system.

There are 3 different types of salts used in a water softener:

Rock Salt: Rock salt is available in a wide range and is less expensive, making it a popular choice for water softeners.
Solar Salt: This type of salt is more soluble than rock salt. Solar salts are formed through the evaporation of seawater. These are available in different forms such as pellets and crystals.
Evaporated Salt. This is the best type of salt option for water softeners. Evaporated salt comes from mining and evaporation. Evaporated salt is the purest form of salt available it also includes very less impurities.

Use A Resin Bed Cleaner

To maintain your water softener and to keep it in good condition, consider using a resin bed cleaner to recharge the resin beds. Resin beads are regularly regenerated but extra cleaning will cause no harm. Over time, resin beads lose their effectiveness. The flow of water can wear them down, and mineral or organic deposits can make them stop working effectively.

To increase the lifespan of the resin bead pour a water softener cleaner into the brine tank during a routine maintenance inspection. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for recommended amount. Let the system run a manual regeneration cycle to flush out the cleaner along with any impurities.

Keep the Venturi Valve Clean

The venturi valve creates a vacuum that pulls brine into the mineral tank during the regeneration process. Regular exposure to brine can lead to sediment buildup on venturi valves. This buildup can restrict or block the valve's flow, potentially disrupting the overall system's performance. It is necessary to check the water softener for any clogging, examine the venturi valve for any build up or blockages.

Good to Know

A venturi valve needs to be cleaned every twice a year to keep it away from debris. You can also clean it as frequently as once a month.

Steps to Clean a Water Softener Tank

The process of cleaning the water softener needs to be done occasionally to maintain its optimal performance. Below are the ways on how to clean a water softener tank.

This is a necessary step to clean the brine tank because it contains salt that is lighter and easier to dispose.

Disconnect the brine tank

Start the process of cleaning by turning off the power from the water softener and disconnect the brine tank. To turn off the machine, open the bypass valve.

Remove the salt

Drain the remaining water in the sink and scoop out the remaining salt with the help of a container or specialized vacuum.

Clean the tank

Create a cleaning solution made of dishwashing soap and warm water for a more deep cleaning process. Use a stiff bristle brush and scrub the inside of the tank and rinse out the tank with clean water. Make sure there is no soap residue left behind while rinsing the tank.

Let the Tank Dry

Let the brine tank dry completely along with its components such as the brine valve before reassembling it. You can dry the small parts of the tank with the help of a rag.

Reassemble and Refill the tank

After cleaning, take the tank and the parts of the tank and reassemble them back again. Refill the tank with fresh clean and appropriate amount of salt.

Caution

Always inspect brushes for damage before use. Wear protective gear such as gloves and goggles when using stiff bristle brushes.

Cleaning the resin tank is comparatively less complicated and straightforward than cleaning the brine tank. There are two methods of cleaning the resin tank.

Before removing the resin tank, make sure that the water softener is unplugged. The next step is to unscrew the bolts and disconnect the valve and remove the tank. Clean the resin using a solution of bleach and water before reinstalling the tank. Run a regeneration cycle to flush out any remaining bleach from the tank.
The other way to clean your resin tank is to purchase a specially designed, iron-removing product such as oxalic acid. This is highly effective at dissolving iron oxides and other iron-based contaminants.
Follow the given instructions on the package, pour some of the product into the tank. After leaving the product for sometime to work, begin the regeneration cycle to remove any wastewater.