How To Know If Your Water Softener Is Working Properly?
Are you wondering if your water softener is working properly?
In areas where water is hard, many people rely on water softeners to take some of the “edge” off the water. Granted, there is no health hazard associated with hard water, but people using water softeners understand that various benefits can be found using a softener. These benefits include more efficient cleaning, better-tasting water, and the use of less detergents and soaps throughout the day.
At times, however, it becomes necessary to ensure that the water softener is still working properly. This can be a subtle thing to detect, but here are some helpful hints to keep in mind.
Scale and Mineral Buildup
Do you see hard water spots? If you see mineral buildup on shower walls and glass that can be a sure sign that your water softener is not working properly.
Dry and Itchy Skin
Another way to find out if your water softener has issues is after you’ve washed. Hard water can leave magnesium and calcium on your skin. It can feel itchy and dry. With softened water, your skin should just have a softer feel to it. This may be an indicator that you do not have enough salt pellets in your brine tank. Check the salt level. If there is enough, your salt system may have stopped working and will need to be serviced.
Water Lathering
Lathering is another way to determine water hardness. With softened water, lathering occurs quickly and easily. However, hard water causes many soaps to either have reduced lathering or to refuse to lather altogether.
Salty Water Taste
If there is a change in the quality of your water, such as a salty taste the softener may need to be cleaned and refilled with new salt. In some cases, the culprit might simply be a stuck valve within the system and can be remedied by a professional plumber.
Change In Water Pressure
If you notice the reduction in your water pressure, this requires a call to your plumber.
Water Hardness Test Kit
Pick up a water hardness test kit at your local hardware store. The test can determine whether or not your water softener needs to be repaired or replaced. It’s essential to use a proper water hardness test kit, and not to simply rely on the test strips some people use to test their pool water. Please note that these tests are not always reliable; therefore, they can provide a false positive, or negative result. When in doubt, it is recommended to call a professional plumber.
If you suspect that your water softener isn’t working correctly, contact an experienced plumber who can fix the situation. Before you know it, your water will be back to its former softness – and your skin and clothes and dishes will thank you.
Need A Plumber?
To ensure your water softener is working at its optimum level, we recommend you call All A’s Plumbing and Heating, your local water treatment professional. All A’s Plumbing will make sure the valve is working properly and all settings are optimized. Get in touch with us today.
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