Hard water often causes problems such as skin irritation. It also leaves unsightly spots behind when you use it to wash silverware and the like. If you wash your car with hard water from your garden hose, you can expect watermarks, especially if you’re unable to wipe it dry before the sun evaporates the water. The same is true if you wash your windows with hard water.
This is why you need a water softener. While you might find videos on YouTube about how to soften hard water, nothing beats the effectiveness and efficiency of a real water softener.
Water softeners are designed to work for a long time. However, they still need to be maintained if you want to prevent breakdowns that will force you to call an emergency plumber. Here are some of the ways to maintain your water softener:
Check the salt level. Every four to six weeks or so, make it a point to check the salt level in the brine tank–don’t wait for signs that your water softener isn’t working properly. Put a reminder on your calendar or set one on your phone to peek into the brine tank as often as necessary. Keep the salt level at half full or less.
Use the salt recommended for your water softener. There are two types of salt used for water softeners: cubes and crystals. Instead of assuming which type your water softener needs, read the user’s manual. If you don’t know how to choose the salt type for your equipment, call your plumbing services provider.
Inspect your water softener. In addition to checking the salt level in your brine tank, perform a more thorough inspection every two or three months, or as often as necessary depending on how hard your water is and other factors. Look for solid buildup in the tank. Salt bridging prevents salt from making contact with the hard water, which means your resin beads aren’t being cleaned, so the water can’t be softened.
You can use an object such as a broom handle to break up a salt bridge. However, if you allow salt bridges to develop in the first place, they’ll continue to occur. It’s best to have a professional inspect your water softener to keep this from happening.
Clean the brine tank. Modern water softeners are great because they don’t require frequent cleaning. However, cleaning your brine tank every six to 12 months will go a long way in keeping your equipment properly functioning for a long time.
Help your equipment with a pre-filter. Pre-filtration will limit the sludge and sediments that find their way into your water softener. A good filter will also remove chlorine from the water. Having your plumber install a pre-filtration system can help make your water softener more efficient and keep it running for a longer time.
If you’re planning to install a water softener, get in touch with Efficient Systems, Inc., your 24-hour plumber. Call us now at (317) 759-5562 or contact us here. We can help you in Indianapolis, IN, and other areas around Indiana.
