Telltale Signs You Need a New Water Softener

Every day, your home’s water softener system works hard to ensure that your water doesn’t have high mineral content. This also prevents it from causing damage to your plumbing fixtures and clogging your dishwasher, water heater, filtration system, and other similar appliances. However, no matter how efficiently your water softener works, it will only stay in peak condition when you get it regularly maintained by a plumbing and  HVAC repair  technician. 

Your water softener also has an expected life span like every other home appliance. Over time, it will slowly lose its effectiveness in treating your water. As soon as it reaches the end of its serviceable life, replace it as soon as possible to ensure your water is ready for safe consumption.

Most water softeners have an average life span of between eight and 12 years. That’s taking proper care and maintenance by a plumbing and  HVAC repair  technician into account. Their life span also depends on the water quality being treated, as they can vary depending on where you live. Certain conditions such as high chlorine and iron levels tend to lower their life expectancy. The quantity, or how much water is treated daily, is also a factor; for instance, a couple living in an average-sized home uses less softened water than a family of four.

You might be lucky if your water softener still runs fine after 12 years. But at this point, you’ll need to consider a complete replacement because its efficiency may already be affected. You’ll notice this when you track how much you replenish the unit with salt. It may need more than usual to achieve the same results as when it was first installed. It can also use less salt than before, which is sometimes evidenced by hardness symptoms in your water and lower pressure throughout your home. 

One of the most common signs your water softener isn’t working as well as it used to is when you notice a change in your home’s water pressure or it just doesn’t feel soft. Our plumbing and  air duct cleaning  pros at R.A. Biel Plumbing and Heating explore these and other telltale signs below:

Sometimes, you might notice certain spots left behind on the surface of your dishes and glasses after washing. These spots can also be seen on the shower door after you use it. These are known as hard water spots and they’re hard to miss when you frequently see them around your home. When this happens to your water, you can be certain that the water softener isn’t working as well as it should be.

Hard water spots are usually white and chalky-looking substances on or around the kitchen and bathroom surfaces. They’re mostly made from calcium, magnesium, and several other metals deposited by hard water. If you see a noticeable amount of scale buildup on your sink and fixtures, you can be sure that you have hard water running in your plumbing system. This also means your water softener isn’t working effectively anymore and must be replaced by a plumbing and  air duct cleaning  professional.

Another way to determine if you need to replace your water softener is through the water itself. You’ll likely feel the difference if you’ve used both hard and soft water. Soft water gives the soap a rich lather when you take a shower or wash the dishes. It simply feels more pleasant and less drying than hard water.

On the other hand, hard water can make it harder to lather soap and you might feel almost like a layer of film on your skin after stepping out of the shower. This film forms when the soap you use reacts with the calcium present in hard water. More commonly known as soap scum, you can feel it on your body, hair, and even your hands when you try to use normal soaps. Other signs include slight staining on your clothes or more damage to your water softener.

Older water softener units tend to use a lot of salt just so they can perform their function of treating hard water. If this is the case for your system and it’s still operating as it should, check its salt levels regularly. Most of the time, you’ll find yourself purchasing more salt just to refill it. As a trusted name in plumbing and  HVAC maintenance , we recommend upgrading to a newer model that offers better efficiency. Some can even monitor your water consumption and use only the necessary water and salt in the backwash/regeneration phase to improve your salt and water consumption!

You’ll know there’s something wrong with your water if it develops a strange or off-putting taste. The unit may not always be to blame, as there may be chemicals or contaminants present. Otherwise, it is an indication that the water softener system is showing its age and is showing signs of deterioration. As already mentioned, hard water has higher mineral content and will noticeably taste different from softened water. If you think that it tastes funny, don’t hesitate to have it re-tested by a trusted treatment expert.

While a few factors can also affect your water pressure, there may be an issue with your water softener if you notice a gradual pressure change over time. This is because calcium and the other minerals present in hard water start building up in your pipes. As they accumulate, the water flow in your pipes will decrease and potentially lower your water pressure. This type of problem in your plumbing system can be costly to repair if your water softener isn’t doing its job properly.

When you need to update or upgrade plumbing equipment in your home, don’t hesitate to call R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Our licensed and insured plumbers are ready to answer your call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week! We are knowledgeable on the best installation practices for all major brands of residential plumbing equipment. In addition to water softeners, we also install faucets, toilets, water heaters, garbage disposals, and other systems.

Count on us for your  HVAC maintenance  and repair needs as well. To get started, give us a call at  (505) 327-7755 , or fill out our convenient  contact form. We serve homeowners in Farmington, NM, and the surrounding communities.

The post Telltale Signs You Need a New Water Softener appeared first on R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc..