Knowing When To Replace vs. Repair Your Water Softener
Hard water is a serious issue in most households. It can wreak havoc on your appliances, seriously dry out your skin, leave streaks on your dishes, and alter the taste of your food. It affects virtually every aspect of your home. Because of this, it’s important to get a water softener. However, if you’ve had one for a while and it starts to become faulty, it’s important to know when to replace or repair your water softener. Read more about the signs below.
Salt Bridge in the Brine Tank
If your brine tank has a lot of clogs or isn’t flowing correctly, you’ll have to deal with a buildup of sodium. The salt bridge is likely the culprit. Luckily, this problem is repairable and doesn’t require a full replacement. Check for a salt bridge by using a broom handle and putting it in the salt tank. Feel around in the tank for any obstructions; if you hit any, it’s likely a salt bridge. Break up solidified salt, scoop loose pieces up with the broom handle, and refill the tank with salt.
Insufficient Drainage
A damaged motor is often the cause of insufficient draining in your tank. Because of this, you might have to put your softener in manual regeneration mode. If you check the tank and the water flows effortlessly, the motor works fine. If it looks like your flow is obstructed, you can replace it with another motor or repair the current one.
Electrical Problems
If your water softener has whole-system electrical issues, replace it rather than go in for repairs. Otherwise, you might need to repair the transformer, fuses, and circuit board, which isn’t cost effective. Luckily, you can tell relatively easily if your softener has electrical problems. Most systems are regulated based on regeneration schedules, so if the electrical components are damaged, they won’t regenerate properly.
Repeated Repairs
If you keep repairing your water softener or all the parts seem to break simultaneously, it might be time to get a new one. Don’t put off the inevitable if you’ve been calling pros to no avail. This is a sign your entire system needs a replacement. Pistons, air valves, injectors, and more cost a lot, and the money will quickly add up. Now that you know why you want to repair or replace your water softener, you’ll be more equipped to use this knowledge in the future.
If you need a replacement or repair for your water softener, here at Alamo Water Softeners, we offer many great water treatment options in San Antonio. Check out our services and learn more here.
