Is It Bad To Let Your Water Softener Run Out Of Salt?
Have you heard about water softener using salt? Well, some of you might not know but your water softener actually requires salt to run. If it runs out of salt, the tendency is your soap during shower may not lather properly or you’ll see white spots on your shower door—and so on!
There’s a big role that salt plays for your water softener and that’s what we’re going to discuss in this article, so read on!
What is a Water Softener and How Does it Use Salt?
A water softener is a filter system designed to make hard water softer. It works by removing excessive amounts of calcium and magnesium minerals that cause the water to be hard. Ion exchange is the process used for softening water.
You can get a whole-house system or use it in factories and other places to make hard water usable again. It’s a great way to go since it’s simple and effective.
Water softener is a smart solution against hard water—a common water tank problem. Hard water basically describes a type of tap water that contains high levels of minerals like magnesium and calcium. Once the residue accumulated on the pipes and bonded with these metals, it will shorten the lifespan of your appliances like coffee makers and dishwashers.
Water softeners use salt to remove hard minerals from water. By running water through a tank containing salt, these minerals are exchanged for the sodium in the salt, thus creating softer, cleaner water for your home. With regular maintenance and regeneration cycles, a water softener can make a huge difference in the quality of your home’s water.
What Happens if You Don’t Refill Your Water Softener with Salt?
When your water softener is out of salt, it won’t be able to filter the minerals and iron away from the resin which is used for softening. All that means is the water coming out has hard minerals in it, which will make the water hard and cause those pesky iron stains on surfaces it touches.
- No Salt Equals No Soft Water
Hard water isn’t just a pain, it can deeply affect your hot water heating system and make it much less efficient. Left unchecked, it can even cause the system to completely stop working.
If you have hard water, it’ll eventually start to build up in your plumbing and may restrict the amount of water flowing through your home over time.
Remember to make sure you have enough salt before it causes a catastrophe!
- Hard Minerals Like Iron May Find Their Way to the Control Valve
Most of the newer water softener models incorporate a control valve which automatically softens and clears any iron present in the water. This helps keep your water clean and ready to use.
If you don’t keep enough salt in your system, there’s a risk that iron and minerals will enter the piston chamber. With non-electric softeners, this can lead to damage to the delicate gears that control regeneration. So it’s essential you’re keeping track of how much salt is left!
- Getting Your Glassware Etched Permanently
If your water softener out of salt, expect hard water coming in with streaks and stains all over things that it touches (such as dishes, cups and silverware).
When you unload your dishwasher, you’ll notice a white, powdery film on your glassware. Washing the glassware with forks and knives might make it look clean initially but before long they’ll leave permanent marks. It’d seem like you never ran them through the dishwasher in the first place.
Pay close attention to your salt level – it’s a smart move that will help you steer clear of these potential problems.
5 Warning Signs that You Need to Refill Your Water Softener with Salt
Keeping your water softener topped up with salt is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and efficient home. But how do you know when it’s time to refill?
Here are the signs:
1. Your Salt Tank Is Low
It may seem obvious, but the first sign you should check for to see if it’s time to refill your salt tank is if the level in your salt tank is low.
The recommended level for a salt tank is between 1/2 and 3/4 of full capacity, so when you’re looking at your softener, check the level on either side of the reservoir – if it’s below that range then it may be time to order more salt.
The best way to keep an eye on how much longer you’ve got left before refilling is by checking how much salt you’ve used in the past week and month.
2. Your Softener Is Not Working
As with most appliances, having your softener not work can be a sign that it’s time to fill the salt tank or order more salt. If you’ve tried turning the softener on and off and nothing seems to help, then try checking your circuit breaker.
If it’s turned off, make sure you can find resetting instructions or contact customer service because they may need to come out and assist you in fixing the problem.
3. Your Water Smells
Strange smells coming from your water may also be a sign that it’s time for a refill of salt – it may be a sign that the water has reached a low sodium level.
4. Your Water Has Changed Color
As water sits in the pipes and tanks, it takes on the color of whatever is surrounding it. If your water changes from clear to yellow and then to brown, you need to add salt as well as flush with fresh water.
5. Your Water Is Hard
The presence of hard water can cause damage such as pitting on fixtures and corroding pipes – so if you have hard or very soft water, it’s time for a refill of salt!
Don’t let your water softener run out of salt! Once you notice any of these signs, be sure to check your water softener’s salt level immediately to avoid any inconveniences and prevent damage to your appliances.
Need Salt Refill For Your Water Softener? We Can Help!
Don’t risk the longevity of your water softener and the possibility of high repair costs. Keep it running properly by being aware of when to refill it with salt. With regular maintenance and monitoring, you can ensure that your system is always running efficiently and that costly repairs are avoided. At Charlotte Water Filtration, we offer water softener refill services. Just give us a call and we’ll be sure to take care of you!