Caring for a Home Water Softener System

1
Water Softener

• Maintenance Requirements

2
Hard Water

• Caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium
  particles in the water.
• Ions occur naturally in the ground.
• Acquired by water as it travels towards local
  collection facilities.
• Can create several problems in the home that
  include things like scale deposits, clogged
  pipes, and decreased soap lathering.

3
Softener Use

• Popular because of their ability to remove or
  alter hardness causing ions.
• Several different products available on the
  market.
• Classified as either salt-based or salt-free.
• Can have varying installation and maintenance
  requirements depending on the system being used.

4
Salt-based Products

• Generally constructed of two tanks.
• Primary tank contains a charged resin bed that
  pulls ions out of the water as it passes through
  the tank.
• Secondary tank stores salt that is used during
  the regeneration cycle to wash the ions off of
  the resin bed.
• Typically requires dedicated line.

5
Salt-based Products

• Homeowners will need to check the level of the
  salt in the secondary tank on a regular basis.
• Households that use large volumes of water or
  that suffer from moderate to severe levels of
  hardness will need to replace salt more often.
• Special salt can be purchased at most grocery
  stores and home supply stores.

6
Other Issues

• Salt bridge can form at the bottom of the
  secondary tank when low levels of water are being
  used.
• Tanks may need to be sanitized if there is an
  issue with bacteria in the water.
• Additives may be required in cases of high iron
  concentration.
• Consult local installation specialist.

7
Salt-free Alternatives

• Typically attach to the outside of existing pipes
  or may require a dedicated line that directs
  water through a tank or filter.
• Usually claim to alter the structure of ions so
  they cannot precipitate out.
• Most require little to no upkeep.
• May be installed by the homeowner of by a
  qualified professional.

8
Resources

• Water Softener Maintenance
• www.Homewatersoftenerreviews.com