Water softeners are low maintenance for the most part. Although, to make sure your filtration system continues to run smoothly and at its peaking performance for years to come, you can do more than simply pour fresh salt into your tank..
Regular soft water maintenance will also increase longevity and reduce the cost of repairing the filtrating system again and again. And the best part is that it is easy enough for homeowners to look after themselves.
How You Can Manage It yourself. Follow These Easy Steps Below:
Status of Salt
No need to make things more complex than they have to be. Just check the level of salt in the tank of your soft water once every month. Refill when it is under the 1/4 mark. Do not fill up to over 2/3 to avoid over salt content.
Drain the Your Tank
Draining your tank is essential for sanitizing, cleaning, and cleaning.
Which is why we need to differentiate between pre-and post-fill soft water’s:
Previous water softener will refill your tank automatically at the end of every regeneration cycle. Therefore, it always has water inside.
If there’s absolutely no water in the tank, that means that you have to refill your device, and there isn’t any need to drain it, of course, as long as it is functioning perfectly.
Having said that, there are various options for ways to drain a post-fill water softener.
For instance, you could just scoop the water into a bucket. This way, you’ll be able to pour it back into the tank when you’re done cleaning. Needless to say, this tip makes sense if your water isn’t too dirty.
Alternatively, you may use a wet vacuum. Another alternative would be to begin a manual regeneration cycle. Throughout the training stage, the softener will automatically suck out damaging residue out of your tank. It all depends on the model; you have activated for the regeneration of water. By pushing and holding the “regenerate” button on your filtration system. When regen begins, push the button one more time to jump to the cycle of cleansing. When your tank is empty, skip the other cycles to reinstate the service.
Your last option is to drain all water in an appropriate drain. Before you move on. Do not forget to place your softener into the bypass . Next, detach the filling tube, which joins the tank into the head of the brink and the overflow hose of the tank.
If your water softener comes with a salt filtration grid, it is a fantastic and easiest system you can avail. You’ll also have to remove the residue well — there is the additional tube within the tank which stores the float function. First, take out the residue floating above. Then discard the overflow if there’s any and eventually pull the tube out.
Now you can carefully tip over the tank. But beware that if you empty it in your backyard, there is a possibility that your grass will turn brown and die.
How to Clean Water softener?
A typical water softener has to be cleaned once a year to every five years based on the quality of the softener. But if all of a sudden manufacturing of water hardness levels rises, or the water is stale or smells odd, it is undoubtedly necessary to clean the whole system as soon as possible.
Cleaning Out the Tank
The best time to clean out the tank is when it nearly runs out of salt. This way, you do not need to scoop it all out, and the tank is lightweight, so you can move it around for simple access. Perhaps you even need to take it out where you do not have to be super careful about building a water mess.
What’s more, once the salt-level is reduced, you will manage to see any dirt or mold in the bottom of the tank.
Essential Information
The dirt is found in the softening filter damaging rock salt specifically. Because residue doesn’t always dissolve, it grows over time as you continue refilling the tank. After a time, the salt solution may seem like sludge. This is the primary reason for cleaning regularly. So, that the residue doesn’t clog your system. It might also stop salt from dissolving into your water.
In case the salt level remains high, then don’t wait. Clean it out immediately. If you have a post-filtration system water softener it will refill automatically, you will be needing to drain all water moving forward right away.
As we said, there are various options for how you can do this.
Got rid of all the water? Great! The rest of the cleaning process can be something similar to following:
- Eliminate any residual salt + sludge.
- Clean inside of the tank.
- Add fresh salt and post-fill softener.
- Establish a regeneration cycle for the coming days.
In case you have not already removed the salt solution as well as the salt grid now is the time to do so.
To remove any remaining salt or residue, you may use a shovel or whichever tool you find appropriate. But take care not to damage your tank. If the salt is too tough to vacuum, you can break it loose with a broom handle. Use a hose to wash the inside of the tank and vacuum the salt deposits, and water.
For the actual cleaning, mix water with great old dishwashing detergent without the need for hard chemicals or mold remover if need be.
Use a brush to do some scrubbing. Keep in mind that there’s no point in trying to make the tank look brand new. Pro tip: This is the best time to check the water flow. Make sure that it is not plugged with salt grains and residue. While the process of regeneration is going on use warm water to make sure that there is no clogging. When everything is clean and nice, putting the pieces back together it is time to fresh softener. However, first, put the salt solution back in its place as it’ll become quite heavy soon.
Remember that using a post-filtration system, you’ll also need to include about 3 gallons of water. Do not worry. The device will adjust its water level with time.
Lastly, set your water heater to regenerate the next night, and you’ll be back in service the next day.
Can You Add Bleach in Your Water Softener?
Water softener and its filtration system can become polluted with biological organisms such as bacteria for various reasons, once being a polluted water source. But if your water is disinfected, there is a possibility microbe can enter at any stage.
Above that, iron, sulfur, and other impurities may encourage intrusion. Normal signs are a change in color, foul taste, or rotten odor in your water. Additionally, mildew may form in the tank, which may also result in an unpleasant odor.
Newly installed systems and those out of service for a while or that are running for too long between regenerations are significantly affected with residue.
Bottom line
Following the regular cleaning procedure, you might choose to use 2 ounces of unscented household bleach combined with 3 gallons of water to sanitize the tank with salt solution.
Just allow the filtration system to sit for around 15 to 20 minutes to eliminate any mildew or mold. Then scrub it with a brush. Tip: Concentrate on the float of the water.
Carefully with Clean Water.
If none of the above tips are working out for you then sanitize the whole system. In fact, some softeners will need periodic disinfection every 3 to 12 months during their given life span.
Again, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is generally best suited. It may be used with zeolite, polystyrene resins, and greensand.
One manufacturer suggests adding 1.2 fluid ounces which is less than a quarter cup. The bleach will mix in the salt solution and then be squeezed into the resin during the brining cycle. Continue with normal regeneration.
You may also have to add 2-3 gallons of water to the salt solution in the tank based on your softener. This typically entails unplugging the unit for 20 to 30 minutes during the brimming phase to allow all salt solution to be consumed.
For complete sterilization, the bleach must stay in contact with the resin for a minimum of one hour.
And to ensure that none of it ends up in the water that you’re going to use later, the filtration must be rinsed with a minimum of 75 gallons of water per cubic foot. This will also eliminate any disinfection byproducts which might have formed.
Cleaning Filtration Tank
What do you want to be doing to maintain the filtration sheet in a sheath wonderful shape? Not a good deal typically, unless your water is truly bad.
Municipal water is fine, generally. Well, water can be hazardous if it contains large levels of iron or manganese. Both may foul the filter because they’re not completely removed during regeneration.
Also, accumulation of organic chemicals, most commonly tannin and hemic acids, can happen in houses with shallow wells. When these compounds precipitate, they become caught between the filtration sheath.
In this case, cleaning a fouled sheath uses a specific cleaner that will restore the softening capacity for reduced water and salt use, prolonging the resin lifetime, and ensure that all other system parts work smoothly. It may even help to enhance the taste of your water and boost flow prices.
How often to clean? Most specialists recommend periods of 3 to 12 months, based on the state of your water.
Water Softening Cleaners
There are many resin cleaners for you to choose from, Iron OUT being the most popular for removing iron deposits.
Iron OUT activates a chemical reaction that adds iron ions back into the solution. The most important reagent is sodium hydrosulfite. Other products may use hydrochloric or citric acid.
Unluckily, not every iron remover or other technical cleanser will be appropriate for your softener and resin. So, if you wish to discover which ones you’re allowed to use first. The manufacturer will have the ability to supply you with all the needed info.
Then all you need to do is follow the directions. Some you dissolve in water and put on top of the salt. Others go in the salt solution well until you begin a green cycle. Some are liquid, some are dry. Some need loads of salt in the tank. Others can only be utilized if the salt level is low.
For some, you may also use a dispenser, which you mount to the side of your salt solution in the tank. The dispenser will trickle feed 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce of softener cleaner to the salt daily for constant maintenance. The resin is cleaned with every regeneration, and fouling is limited.
How to Eliminate Salt Bridges
With salt bridging, a.k.a. salt clogging, an encrusted bridge prevents the salt from reaching the bottom of the tank and getting in contact with the water to form a solution. This, as a result, hinders your softener from regenerating well.
Just To Clarify
When a salt bridge has shaped, your brine tank may still seem like it is completely filled. However, all salt under the bridge is likely gone. This is why you must watch out for this happening when you refill the tank.
Cost
If you prefer not to take care of any of those maintaining yourself, you can hire a firm to do it for you. Charges for water softener maintenance programs monthly salt delivery and inspection system beginning at 120 USD each year.
