A well-maintained water softener can last 15-20 years and provide consistent performance throughout its life. Most maintenance tasks are simple enough for any homeowner to handle, requiring just a few minutes each month.
Maintenance Schedule at a Glance
Salt Management
The most important maintenance task is keeping your brine tank properly filled with salt. Here's what you need to know:
Checking Salt Level
Check your salt level at least once a month. The tank should be at least one-quarter full, with salt visible above the water level. If you can see water at the top of the salt, it's time to add more.
Choosing the Right Salt
Not all water softener salt is equal. Your options include:
Solar Salt (Recommended)
Made by evaporating sea water. 99.5% pure, dissolves cleanly with minimal residue. Best balance of performance and price.
Evaporated Salt (Premium)
99.9% pure sodium chloride. Leaves the least residue but costs more. Good choice for very hard water.
Potassium Chloride (Alternative)
For those wanting to reduce sodium intake. More expensive and requires 10-15% more than sodium chloride.
Avoid Rock Salt
While cheaper, rock salt contains impurities that leave residue in your brine tank and can clog the system. The savings aren't worth the maintenance headaches.
Common Problems and Solutions
Salt Bridges
A salt bridge occurs when a hard crust forms on top of the salt, creating an empty space between the crust and water below. The salt can't dissolve, so the system can't regenerate properly.
How to fix: Carefully push a broom handle through the salt crust to break it up. Don't push so hard that you damage the bottom of the tank. Remove large chunks if needed.
Salt Mushing
Salt mushing happens when dissolved salt recrystallizes at the bottom of the tank, forming a thick sludge. This can block the brine from being drawn up during regeneration.
How to fix: You'll need to empty the brine tank, clean out the mushed salt, and start fresh. Prevent future mushing by using higher-quality salt.
Resin Bead Issues
The resin beads inside your softener tank can become fouled with iron, manganese, or organic compounds over time, reducing softening capacity.
How to fix: Use a resin cleaner (like Iron Out or Rust Out) every few months if you have iron in your water. Follow product instructions for adding to the brine tank.
Annual Maintenance
Once a year, perform these deeper maintenance tasks:
Clean the brine tank - Empty remaining salt, rinse out sediment and residue, then refill
Check the venturi valve - Remove and clean to ensure proper suction during regeneration
Inspect the resin tank - Look for any signs of leaks around fittings
Test water hardness - Verify the system is still softening effectively
When to Call a Professional
Some issues require professional service:
Motor or control valve failure
Resin replacement (typically every 10-15 years)
Persistent hard water despite proper salt levels
Significant leaks or water damage
System not regenerating on schedule
At Solomon Home Water Solutions, we offer maintenance services and can help diagnose any issues with your water softener, regardless of brand.