4 Crucial Water Softener Maintenance Tips
You probably already know just how damaging hard water can be. Because of its high mineral content, it can wear down pipework and appliances while leaving a chalky white deposit (called limescale) on faucets, showerheads and other plumbing fixtures. It doesn’t end there either–hard water may also contain sediments that carry bacteria and algae.
To effectively deal with hard water problems, you’ll need to have a water softening system installed. This appliance works to remove deposits of minerals such as magnesium, iron and calcium from hard water, making it ‘soft’. But like most important home devices, the water softener will require proper, regular maintenance. Here a premier plumbing and HVAC maintenance company in the area, R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc., shares some useful tips.
Set it up the right way. With the proper settings, the system will be able to provide a steady, sufficient flow of softened water. Most water softeners have four basic settings, which mainly revolve around the regeneration cycle–an integral part of the water softening process. To set the water softener properly, you’ll need to make sure the frequency, timing and duration of the regeneration cycle is tailored to your household’s schedule and water hardness.
- Frequency. You can set the regeneration cycle up to seven times a week. To accurately determine the frequency, you should take into account the size of the water softener, the amount of water used in your home and the number of contaminants or minerals in the hard water.
- Timing. You’ll want to schedule the regeneration cycle at a time when the household isn’t using much water. Make sure to time it during the day, as well. This is because the regeneration cycle generates noise, and scheduling it at night might keep you awake.
- Duration. The default length of a regeneration cycle is from 30 minutes up to an hour. You should avoid changing the duration unless absolutely necessary. If the regeneration cycle is too short, the softening process will be interrupted. If it’s too long, your home may have to go for a while without usable water.
If you’re having trouble with the setup, just consult a reliable plumbing and HVAC repair expert like R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. We’ll help bring your water softener to the setting that perfectly suits your home’s needs.
Be on the lookout for salt bridges. A salt bridge refers to the tough crust that sometimes forms in the brine tank of your water softener. This happens when the salt accumulates along the sides of the unit, forming a solid layer that separates the salt from the water entering the tank. Because it prevents the brine solution (an important aspect of the water softening process that involves swapping the mineral ions in hard water with sodium) from forming, the buildup can hamper the effectiveness of the regeneration cycle. As you go about your water softener maintenance, make sure to check inside the brine tank for salt bridges. With prompt cleanup you can address this issue rather quickly.
Have the water softener inspected by a pro. This helps catch any developing problems with the system, which means you can have them promptly dealt with. This, in turn, helps prolong the life of the water softener and ensures its continued performance. Work with a plumbing and HVAC maintenance expert like R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Our services aren’t limited to a simple checkup–we can also keep your water softening system in tip-top shape through water assessment, cleaning and maintenance and settings optimization.
Check the salt level. If the salt level in the water softener goes down, you’ll start getting hard water. In order to avoid all the common issues related to hard water, it’s a good idea to check the unit every four to six weeks. Another thing–make sure to use the right kind of salt for your water softener. The most popular choices include rock salt, solar and evaporated salt. Pick a high-quality salt because it will have less impurities, which makes it more useful for the water softening process.
Superior Plumbing Services by R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
Finding the right plumbing expert to deal with your water softener maintenance needs isn’t as daunting as you might expect. Just ask family and friends for local referrals, and they’ll point you in the right direction–to R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. In addition to thorough air duct cleaning , we also specialize in a variety of plumbing services. We are:
- Qualified. R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. is not only bonded and insured for your greater protection, we’re also licensed to perform HVAC and plumbing work in both New Mexico and Colorado. Proof of our qualifications is always available to the homeowners we serve
- –you need only ask.
- Certified. We seek to deliver the highest-quality HVAC and plumbing solutions in areas in and around San Juan County. R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. is an authorized dealer and installer of products from today’s leading brands–Carrier® for our heating and air conditioning systems, and AO Smith® for our range of high-performance water softeners. We’re a member of the Mechanical Contractors Association of New Mexico, as well as a part of the Farmington NM Chamber of Commerce.
Not only that–our team of technicians are certified by NATE (North American Technician Excellence). This independent third-party organization recognizes experts in the heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration industry through voluntary testing and certification. Whether you need an HVAC repair or installation, you can count on our NATE-certified technicians to deliver the best results.
- Experienced. R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. has helped Farmington, NM, homeowners with their HVAC and plumbing needs since 1988. With workmanship backed by over 30 years of experience, we make sure any project we take on is done right the first time.
- Well-Reviewed. No job is too big or too small for R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. We’ll give your project the personalized service and full attention it deserves–your complete satisfaction is one of our top priorities, after all. The A+ Rating we maintain with the Better Business Bureau® and the 5-star reviews we’ve earned on Facebook and Google from pleased clients are a testament of the quality of our work.
R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. is not only your go-to company for professional air duct cleaning –you can also count on us for quality residential plumbing services. With our reliable, experienced team, we’ll help you get the most out of your water softener’s service life and performance. We serve the areas in and around Farmington, NM. Call us today at (505) 327-7755 or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation. We’d love to hear from you!
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