How to Change Water Softener Salt Yourself
In this article, we look at things to consider before changing water softener salt.
05/12/2020
A water softener has the role of getting rid of minerals that are responsible for water hardness. These minerals are calcium and magnesium ions, and they are removed by an ion-based system that contains salt.
The system breaks down the salt (a compound of sodium and chlorine) to use the sodium ions for softening water. That’s why there is a need to add salt to your water softener. When doing that, the amount of salt you'll add depends on these factors:
- • How hard the water is
- • The size of your brine tank
- • The number of people in your house
- • Amount of water you use in a day
The process of changing the water softener salt is straightforward. However, what seems easy for other people might not be comfortable for you. This should not worry you because Plumb-Tech will take care of the whole process for you.
Things to Consider Before Changing Water Softener Salt
Before we start adding more salt to the softener, you must know when you should do that. Remember, this is not a daily routine. Here is how to know it’s time to add salt.
1. Check the Amount of Salt in the Tank
Remove the cover of the brine tank and look inside. If you notice that the salt seems dry and less than half full, pour more salt in the tank until it is more than half full. If the water level is above the salt, or the salt inside the tank looks wet, it is time to refill it.
2. Consider Your Softener’s Age
Old water softeners are more likely to use more salt compared to a newer one. If your system is over ten years old, chances are you will keep adding salt to it often.
The new softener designs have indicators and remote monitoring systems that tell you the salt level is low, and it's time to add more salt. This way, you don't have to keep lifting the brine tank's cover and peeping inside.
3. Check for Salt Bridges
Regularly check your tank for salt bridges. If there’s a salt bridge in the tank, it will hinder you from knowing the amount of salt you should add to your water softener. They have a layer of salt hiding the air pocket.
Every time you peep at a tank with a salt bridge, you might think that it is always full. If you notice such, grab a shovel and dig at the top layer of the salt. If it happens to be a salt bridge, it will break, and you will see the actual salt level.
How Much Salt Will You Add to the Water Softener?
Now that you know the importance of salt in your softener and how you’ll know that it’s time to add salt do not just add any amount of salt. The below-listed factors determine the amount of salt your water softener requires.
The Hardness of Water in Your Home
This will be a significant determinant of the amount of salt you will add to your brine tank. If the water is extra hard, it has more calcium and magnesium ions that should be removed. In the process, the resin is overworked, and it becomes exhausted faster.
Since it is working hard, it also needs regular cleaning. This can result in the usage of a lot of salt. You will need to keep adding salt frequently to the brine tank to keep the process continuous in such a situation.
The Amount of Water You Use
If you use significant amounts of water, it means that your water softener needs to work extra hard to treat more water. This means more usage of brine solution, meaning you also need to keep replacing the salt.
Size of the Brine Tank
Your brine tank should have at least a quarter full of softener salt. You should maintain this to ensure the efficiency of the water softening process. Make sure your salt level is above the water level in the tank for the softener to run smoothly.
It’s advisable to loosen up the salt that might be sticking at the brine tank's edges before adding new salt. Also, you should pour hot water over the salt that has formed bridging to break. Generally, the amount of salt your water softener uses depends on its size.
How to Change Water Softener Salt Yourself
Changing water softener salt is a straightforward process. On your water softener, locate where the brine tank is. You will first need to check if there are indicators that your brine tank needs more salt before pouring it in.
Lift the lid to the brine and peep into the tank to determine the salt amount in there. If you notice that the salt in the tank is dry and less than half full, pour more salt into it until it passes the half-full mark.
Another indicator that your brine tank needs more salt is noticing that the water is more than the tank's salt. The water should always be less than the salt for better results. If you see this, pour salt into the brine tank until it passes the water amount.
Final Words
If you own a water softener, adding salt to it isn’t new. All you should do is open the brine tank's lid, check the salt levels, and add a significant amount. The amount of salt your softener uses will depend on many factors, so don't compare with your neighbor's.