Water Softener Service
Water softener service is recommended annually in most cases, but there may be interim issues which can be diagnosed and remedied by the homeowner.To benefit from the maximum useful life of your equipment and assure proper functioning, consistent maintenance will provide an on-going supply of softened or conditioned water to your home. Of the numerous brands of water softeners, some are more efficient than others in terms of salt requirements and water usage. Some are capable of conditioning larger volumes of water, therefore estimated water usage prior to selecting a system is important, while some simply are better made and last longer if maintained. Water softeners do a lot of work, processing thousand of gallons of water per month.
IF YOUR WATER SOFTENER ISN’T WORKING:
Make sure your water softener is “on” and working, that is, that the system has power, then:
- Check salt tank: Is there salt in the salt tank? If not, add salt to the tank.
- Check power to the softener: If the unit uses electricity to run a timer, be sure it’s plugged in to a live outlet and has power. Some water conditioners use a low-voltage transformer to power the control – be sure that device is present, plugged in, and working. Also, a power failure could cause the timer to be improperly set. Re-set the day of week and time of day on the water softener timer after an electrical power failure or after the softener has been powered “off” for a time.
- Check the water softener bypass valve: You want first to see that the water softener is not on “bypass” – is household water flowing through the unit? This valve is an option and may not be installed on your unit, but there may be standard plumbing valves or globe valves that accomplish the same purpose.
- Manually regeneration cycle: Then try a manual regeneration cycle – you’ll see on most units a lever you can push on the control box to start that regeneration process. Note: your home will not be delivered conditioned or softened water while the water softener is in the regeneration cycle, therefore, its best not to use water (or use as little as possible- flushing toilets is OK, etc.) in the home until the regeneration process is complete. This is why most programmed regeneration is set for late at night when water usage is much less likely.
- Feel & test the water supply: if you still can’t get a lather when bathing, water may be insufficiently treated.
Softener/Carbon and Solo Water Softener
OTHER WATER SOFTENER SERVICE OR REPAIR SYMPTOMS
Without a full diagnosis, it can be very difficult to determine what is really causing the problem and whether of not a water softener repair or service is necessary. This is where a service technician should be able to trouble shoot the situation and come to a determination and solution to the problem. While there are multiple possible symptoms and problems a water softener may experience, the following are a few that you may see.
- Excessive salt usage by the system, requiring higher than normal salt tank fill ups
- Staining on home fixtures even though the water softener seems to be running properly
- Mineral discharge from the water softener and into the home’s water supply
- Loss of water pressure downstream from the softener
- Hard water evidence observed right after a regeneration cycle.
H2O Care is an established full service water filtration and testing organization, originally formed in 1989, with offices in Middleton, Lakeville & Stow, MA with an additional service depot in Plymouth. See our published articles in Water Technology Magazines by going to our website, http://publications. Reach us at [email protected] or 978-777-8330.
