What to Do If You Suspect Your Water Softener is Not Working and How To Troubleshoot
Does your skin feel itchy or filmy after showering? Are your clothes stiff after laundering them? Does your water taste salty? Perhaps, there is a buildup around your faucets or drains?
These are all signs that your water softener is probably not working. In New Jersey, by the time water makes it to your pipes, it’s hard–meaning high in mineral content, mainly calcium and magnesium. Because calcium and magnesium do not pose a health risk, New Jersey water supplied by the city does not soften the water. However, hard water caused by high levels of calcium and magnesium can pose problems such as dry itchy skin, stiff clothes, salty water, calcium build-up on drains and faucets and more.
What Water Softeners Do
Water softeners correct this problem by absorbing the undesired minerals and replacing them with sodium to freshen the water and balance its pH. Though hard water is not bad for your health, it can be a nuisance, which is why you’ll want to ensure that your water softener is working correctly.
Steps To Troubleshoot Your Water Softener
If you see signs that your water softener is not working, there are a few steps that you can take. First, you can pick up a water hardness kit at most hardware stores. Use these strips to test the incoming and outcoming water to determine if the water softener works correctly.
If your water softener tests poorly, it could be a minor issue, such as the softener needing to be cleaned or needing salt. The most common problem is the softener needs more salt. This can be fixed by checking the salt level and adding more salt. If the salt level is adequate, the softener might need to be cleaned.
To clean the water softener, you can clean the resin beads with resin cleaner or clean the brine tank. With either of these methods, do make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and precisely to avoid causing further complications.
Is Your Water Softener On The Brink?
If it’s not the salt level, and if it’s not the brine tank, then maybe your water softener has simply worn out over time. In this case, you need professional help, and All A’s Plumbing and Heating has experienced water softener system experts to serve you.
We can service and repair your water softener or even install a new one. Call or send us a message with any questions that you might have and get your free quote today. We are here to troubleshoot your water softener problems and fix them with the right solution.
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