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To maintain your water softener system’s efficiency, you must refill the brine tank regularly. But, it is vital to use the appropriate salt and add the right amount to get soft water.
It is understandable that you may not be able to deal with the water softener system as a newbie. That is why in this guide, we’ll be sharing with you easy tips on how to add salt to water softener machines.
Also, after reading this guide, you’ll know what kind of salts to add to your water softener and their costs.
Why Is Adding Salt Crucial?
While hardness in water may not necessarily cause any health challenges, it can be disturbing. So, you need to keep the water softener system running by adding salts.
As mentioned earlier, regularly adding salt ensures your softener works effectively. This is especially vital if you live in a location where the water is very hard.
Most experts and technicians suggest you check your water softener’s brine tank levels at least once a month. And if, during this routine check, you notice that the tank levels are down, then you need to add more salt. But, be careful not to overfill the tank.
How to Check Your Water Softener System
Before we look at adding salt to your water softener system, here are ways to check your salt level.
Inspect the Systems Brine Tank
Inspecting the brine tank is straightforward. Simply raise the tank’s lid and inspect the inside. Look how much water softener salt solution is still in the tank. And if the tank is less than half full, you need to refill it.
Regular Checks for Salt Bridges
Over time, a build-up of salt inside the brine tank can cause salt bridges to form.
To see how much water is left in the brine tank, take a small shovel so you can break the topmost layer of salt. Once you have broken up the salt bridge, you’ll be able to see the brine level.
Consider the Age of Your Water Softener System
Most water softener systems last between 10 and 20 years before replacing.
But, as they age, you will find that these systems will use more salt to function properly. This also occurs when you need to replace the resin beads in the tank.
In many cases, once the resin beads are faulty, replacing the whole softener system would be better.
Tips on How to Add Salt to Water Softener Systems
So after inspecting your water softener’s brine tank, you may need to add more salt to it. And the process of adding more salt crystals, rock salt, or salt pellets to the tank is very simple. You simply need to carry out the following steps.
Step 1 – Locate the Brine Tank
In most cases, you will find that most water softener systems will have these tanks labeled as brine or salt tanks. However, if you cannot find a tank with such a label, look for the shortest tank containing salt.
Step 2 – Check the Tank’s Salt Level
If when you open the tank, you find that it is only half-full with salt, then you need to add more to it. Ideally, the salt level should be above the water level. Also, ensure you switch off the water softener before checking.
Step 3 – Make Sure The Tank Is Clean
This is crucial as the salt inside it should be able to move freely. If you notice that some salt has formed into chunks, you should break them.
Step 4 – Add More Salt
Before adding the salt, ensure you use the appropriate type with high purity. Salt pellets are most suitable.
Once you have the right salt, pour it into the tank on top of the resin beads until it reaches the fill line. This line should be about six inches from the tank’s lid. Also, this is the same place where the water will reach, so never overfill the tank with salt.
How Often Should You Add Salt to a Brine Tank?
Although we have recommended checking your brine tank once a month, the amount of salt to add may vary.
The water’s hardness is the main factor affecting how often you add salt to your water softener system.
If you live in an area where the water is very hard, you will need to add more salt to the brine tank.
Another factor is the kind of salt used. You may find that if you go for salt with a high sodium chloride purity, you won´t need to add it as often.
But the best way to determine how often you need to add salt is to speak with a water softener service expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Salt Pellets or Crystals in My Brine Tank?
Yes. You can use salt pellets or crystals in your brine tank. Note that you should never use table salt in your home water softener system.
How Much Does Water Softener Salts cost?
The price of water softener salts varies. But it mainly depends on the salt’s purity. Salts containing 99.9% sodium chloride will cost more than those of 80%. But expect to pay between $2 and $15 for bags of salt per month.
Conclusion
To avoid any severe damage caused to pipes and plumbing systems due to hard water, you need to invest in a water softener system.
Once installed, water softener systems help reduce the hardness levels and help extend the lifespan of your washing machine, dishwasher, and other home appliances.
But, you will need to keep the water softener salt levels in check for efficiency.
We hope you find the tips on how to add salt to water softener systems helpful in improving the water quality in your home. Please let us know if you did find our advice of us by leaving a quick comment below.