DIY maintenance tips for your water softener system
A few minutes of regular care keeps your softener working at full capacity for years.
Water softeners need very little attention, but a few simple checks will keep yours running efficiently and help it last for decades.
Check the salt level
Keep the brine tank at least half full of salt. Without enough salt the resin cannot recharge and hard water will pass straight through.
Use the right salt
Use clean softener salt pellets rather than rock salt. Rock salt contains insoluble impurities that settle as sludge in the tank.
Break up salt bridges
Humidity can form a hard crust of salt above the water line. If the salt level never seems to drop, gently push a broom handle down through the salt to break the crust.
Clean the brine tank and resin
- Empty and rinse the brine tank once a year to remove sludge.
- Use a resin cleaner periodically, especially if your water contains iron.
- Watch for “mushing” — a thick sludge at the bottom of the tank — and clean it out.
Check for leaks and test your water
Look over valves and connections for drips, and test the hardness of your softened water every few months. If hardness creeps back up, it is time for a service visit.
