If you are a homeowner, there is a good chance you have a softener.
Water softeners use resin to remove minerals like calcium and magnesium from your untreated water.
If your system isn’t working correctly, it could be because the resin is bad. This blog post will tell you whether your water softener resin is bad and what to do. Stay tuned!
You Can Tell Your Water Softener Resin Go Bad?
There are several signs that your softener resin is no longer working correctly, including:
- Your water feels more complicated than usual
- There is a decrease in water pressure
- Scale buildup is occurring more frequently
- Laundry isn’t getting as clean
- Dishes aren’t getting as clean
- The resin beads inside the unit become clogged with magnesium minerals and sediment.
- The brine solution becomes contaminated.
If you think your softener resin is going bad, the best thing to do is call a professional. It will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action.
How Long Does Water Softener Resin Last?
It seems like softener resin should last forever, but it actually has a limited lifespan.
Depending on the water quality and how often you use your softener, the resin beads can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years.
Mobile water softener resin bead is made of polystyrene beads that are chemically treated to attract and remove minerals from chlorinated water.
These beads are solid and durable but can become clogged with mineral deposits and lose their effectiveness over time.
If you notice that your faulty water softener isn’t working as well as it used to, it’s probably time to replace the resin.
You’ll know it’s time to replace the resin when you see hard water spots on dishes and glassware or if your hair and skin feel dry and irritated after showering.
Replacing softener resin is a simple process; you can do it yourself in just a few minutes.
Simply purchase the correct resin type for your softener unit, and follow your owner’s manual instructions to replace the old resin with the new.
Please contact your local water treatment experts if you have any doubt about how to replace softener resin or need help troubleshooting your softener.
They will be happy to assist you and ensure that your softener is working correctly.
How to Drain a Water Softener Resin Tank?
If your softener isn’t working correctly, it may be time to clean the resin tank. Draining the resin tank is a simple process, but it’s essential to do it carefully to avoid damaging the unit.
- Turn off the power to the unit and disconnect the soft water supply.
- Drain the brine tank completely.
- Disconnect the resin tank from the brine tank.
- Turn the resin tank upside down and drain it into a bucket.
- Flush the resin tank with fresh water until the soft water runs clear.
- Reconnect the resin tank to the brine tank and turn on the power to the unit.
If you have any questions about how to drain an outdoor water softener tank, please consult your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer.
How To Replace A Water Softener Resin Bed?
If your softener isn’t working as efficiently as it used to, it might be time to replace the resin bed.
Resin beds can last for years, but they will eventually become clogged with impurities and must be replaced. Fortunately, you can do this process by yourself.
What you’ll need:
- A new resin bed (available at most hardware stores)
- A screwdriver
- A funnel
- gloves
- goggles
Instructions:
- Turn off the power to your softener. If your softener is connected to a power outlet, unplug it or if it runs on batteries, remove them.
- Locate the resin bed. It will be in a cylindrical tank near the top of the small water softener unit.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the lid of the tank. Be careful not to damage the O-ring seal.
- Pour out the old resin bed. You may need to use a brush to remove all the debris if it is clogged.
- Rinse out the tank with clean water.
- Put on gloves and goggles.
- Pour the new resin bed into the tank, using a funnel if necessary.
- Replace the lid on the tank and screw it tight.
- Turn on the power to your water softener unit.
- Run liter of water level through the unit for a few minutes to flush out any air bubbles.
That’s it! You’ve successfully replaced your softener’s resin bed. Following these simple steps, you can keep your softener running efficiently for years.
Be sure to check the beads periodically to make sure they’re still in good condition. Replacing them every few years is typically sufficient.
How Can You Prevent the Need to Replace Your Softener’s Resin Bed?
The resin bed in your softener is one of the most essential components, as it is responsible for removing hardness minerals from your levels in drinking water.
Over time, this water mineral content can build up and cause the resin bed to become clogged, which will reduce the efficiency of your softener and eventually lead to the need for a replacement.
You can do a few things to prevent this from happening:
-Make sure the brine tank is always full. This will tell you that the water softener resin bed is properly flushed during regeneration to avoid bad performance.
-Perform a manual regeneration of the resin bed every 6 months. This will help to remove any buildup that may have occurred.
-Install a water filter before the softener.
This will help to remove any sediment or dirt that could clog the resin bed.
If you follow these tips, you can avoid the need to replace your softener’s resin bed and keep it working correctly for years to come.
How Often Do I Need To Clean My Water Softener’s Brine Tank?
It’s essential to keep your softener’s brine tank clean to continue working effectively.
Depending on the type of portable water softener you have, you may need to clean it as often as every month or only once a year.
If you have a salt-based water softener, the brine tank will need to be cleaned more frequently since the salt bridge can build up and cause clogs.
If you have a potassium-based water softener, you may only need to clean the brine tank once a year.
To clean your softener’s brine tank, start by unplugging the unit and draining any discolored water level in the tank.
Next, remove the tank’s lid and use a stiff brush to remove any salt bridge or potassium built up on the sides. Finally, rinse out the tank with clean water and replace the lid.
If you have hard water, it’s essential to keep your softener’s brine tank clean to continue working effectively.
What Are The Common Water Softener Problems?
If your softener isn’t working correctly, it may be due to one of these common issues.
1. Not enough salt level in the brine tank:
The brine tank is where the softener regeneration cycles itself.
If there are not enough salt tanks, the softener can’t regenerate properly, and your drinking water will become hard again.
2. Clogged brine tank:
A clogged brine tank can also prevent the softener from regenerating correctly.
The most common cause of a clogged brine tank is using the wrong type of salt. Make sure you’re using clean, pure salt designed for softeners.
3. Water leaks:
If you notice gallons of water leaks around your softener, it could be due to a cracked brine tank, a loose valve, or another issue.
If you can’t identify the source of the leak, call plumbing fixtures for help.
4. No power:
When your softener isn’t working, it may be because it’s not getting power. Check the breaker box to make sure the circuit hasn’t been tripped.
5. Error codes:
Suppose your softener is displaying an error code. In that case, it may be due to a problem with the control valve or another issue.
Consult your owner’s manual or call a city water softener repair service for help troubleshooting the issue.
If you’re having problems with your softener, don’t hesitate to call a repair service. A qualified technician can quickly diagnose the problem and get your softener working again.
What Does Chlorine Do To Water Softening Resin?
Chlorine is often used in city water usage treatment to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. However, amounts of chlorine can also damage water softening resin.
Chlorine attacks the resin beads, causing them to break down and release their sodium ions. This increases the level of hardness in the tap water and decreases the efficiency of the softener.
To prevent this, it is essential to use a salty water softener designed to withstand chlorine attacks.
Otherwise, you may need to replace your resin more frequently.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can tell why your household water softener resin can go bad and why it will need to regenerate more often.
You also know the signs of when this is happening. If you see any symptoms, it is time to manually regeneration cycle your resin.
Please contact your local water treatment professional if you have any questions or would like more information. Thank you for reading!