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A Short Guide to Maintaining Your Water Softener: Insights from a Pentair Water Softening Company in Barrington, Illinois
Installing a water softener is a good first step toward getting softer, cleaner, and better water in your home. But when was the last time you paid attention to the water softener you installed in your home?
Like any other appliance in your house, a water softener needs regular maintenance to keep running efficiently. If you ignore it, you could soon be dealing with hard water stains, clogged pipes, inefficient appliances, and more. Below, this Pentair water softening company in Barrington, Illinois is going to explain how you can take proper care of your water softener.
Water softener maintenance affects efficiency and lifespan.
A poorly maintained water softener does not work as efficiently, which means you will use more salt and water, and hard water can return to your home. Hard water can build up in your pipes and appliances, which can reduce appliance efficiency, shorten their lifespan, and increase energy costs.
Maintaining a water softener is not hard or time-consuming. If you regularly check your system and follow some simple steps, your water softener will run smoothly and last a long time. If you need more guidance on how to keep your system running as efficiently as possible, you can always reach out to a Pentair water softening company in Barrington, Illinois.
Basic maintenance steps to keep your water softener running smoothly.
Check your salt levels: Salt is what makes your water softener work, and without enough of it, your system simply is not going to do its job. Make sure the brine tank is always at least half full of salt, but don’t overfill it. If you pile too much salt in, it can clump together and block your system, which can stop it from working properly.
Clean the brine tank: Over time, dirt and gunk can build up in the brine tank and make your water softener less efficient. You should clean the tank at least once a year to prevent salt clogs and make sure the brine solution is at optimal strength to regenerate the resin beads effectively.
Maintain resin beads: The resin beads in your water softener remove hard minerals like calcium and magnesium from your water. But over time, they can get dirty from iron buildup or other contaminants in the water. Your Pentair water softening company in Barrington, Illinois may recommend using a special resin cleaner every few months that can help restore their performance. With good care, resin beads can last up to 10 years.
Check the system settings: Make it your habit to regularly check your water softener’s settings. Many newer models, like those from Pentair, include smart features that let you adjust regeneration cycles based on your water usage, which can save you both water and salt.
Troubleshooting common problems with a water softener.
Even if you take good care of your water softener, things can sometimes go wrong. Here are some common problems and how you can fix them:
Salt bridges: This is when a hard crust forms in the brine tank and keeps the salt from dissolving. If you notice hard water returning, check for a salt bridge and break it up.
Low water pressure: If your water pressure feels weak, it could be caused by clogged pipes, dirty resin beads, or sediment buildup. Regular cleaning can keep these problems away.
Hard water: If your water feels hard even though the softener is running, clean the resin beads, add more salt, or check for high iron levels in your water. High iron levels in water (above 0.3 ppm) can make it harder for the softener to run efficiently.
Looking for a Pentair Water Softening Company in Barrington, Illinois?
Are you tired of dealing with hard water, iron stains, or foul-tasting water? If so, and if you’re ready to have a new water softener installed by the best Pentair water softening company in Barrington, Illinois, Johnson Water Conditioning is just a call away. Contact us today to get in touch.