#1. Learn How To Clean A Water Softener Resin Tank
It is important to know how to clean a water softener resin tank, as this tank is responsible for the softening capability of the device. Don’t worry, if you’re unfamiliar with what a resin tank is; it’s very easy.
There are resin beads in your water softener that are negatively-charged. Scale-causing minerals like calcium bind to them while the water flows through these tubes.
Your water softener will normally flush these beads clean. It is a common myth, though, that after the replacement interval of 15 to 20 years, you “never” need to service them. Conversely, every once in a while, you ought to give them a thorough washing. You’ll realize it’s time to regenerate the tank more often than normal.
There are tonnes of bottled resin bead cleaners on the market; for detailed guidance, refer to your unit ‘s manual.
If you live in the Phoenix area and have ordered a softener from us, send us a call and we would be delighted to steer you in the right way.
#2. Knowing How To Clean A Water Softener Brine Tank Is Important, Too
There are two tanks for your water softener. The resin beads are carried by one that we just discussed, while the salt pellets are found in the other. These salt pellets will sometimes break down and create a kind of ‘sludge’ in the tank.
It can avoid this buildup from causing harm by learning how to clean the
Get a small shovel and clear the sludge as the salt stock starts to run low (which would occur at least once annually). You can need to dig deep or even pound away at the salt if it’s hardened.
Often, at the bottom of the brine tank, mould can also form. You’ll need to empty it out in this situation and give the interior a thorough rinse.
#3. How To Clean Out A Water Softener: Use Bleach Wisely
You should run what’s known as a “bleach loop” through the entire machine if you spot mould in your water softener tank. Make sure to link to the manual of your softener to ensure that this process is approved by the manufacturer.
You’ll want to put one cup of bleach in a brine tank with a 9-inch tank. Using two cups for one 12-inch tank. Close the door of the tank and then activate a manual system regeneration. Before the whole regeneration process has been finished, make sure that you do not drink water from your tap.
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To disinfect your brine tank and scrub out your resin bed, you can use bleach. Short-term exposure to mild bleach levels would not greatly harm the ion exchange potential of the resin. Bleach is also very effective at neutralising and sanitising the system with resin-fouling bacteria. However, make careful to maintain it within 50-100 mg / L (or parts-per-million) while using bleach. Stronger bleach concentrations can degrade the resin of the softener and weaken the ability to dissolve hardening minerals. Eventually, repeated exposure to oxidants can make resin impotent. This is why, when it hits the water softener, many people who soften chlorinated municipal water move their water through a carbon philtre to dechlorinate it.
And that is how a water softener using chlorine will be washed out!
#4. Watch Out for Salt Bridges
Another concern that usually crops up in water softener brine tanks is salt bridges. It happens when a layer of salt forms a “bridge” which covers a part of the softener. This will create the illusion of a tank of full brine. However, it can crumble as you poke at it with a rock or shovel.
Make it a habit to periodically poke around for these salt bridges, particularly if you find that the tank tends to stay full for a strange period of time.
Salt bridges, since they tend to use less salt, are especially prevalent with newer water softeners. There is more time to form bridges with the salt that stays for longer.
How To Clean A Water Softener: Conclusion
It’s effortless to disinfect a water softener. In particular, the brine tank is readily accessible and it is convenient to verify its cleanliness as the salt is refilled approximately once per month. Even, if the manufacturer condones this, make sure to run a bleach loop through the system occasionally.
Using dedicated resin bead cleaner to refill the beads in between the normal replacement period of 15-20 years if the water softener regenerates more frequently than usual.
Lastly, watch out for bridges with salt. With a stick or shovel, you can clear them quickly.
