If you live in a town in the south east of England such as Aylesbury, you may be considering investing in a water softener. These devices help to prevent your home appliances and pipes from becoming clogged up with limescale, and will prolong their lifespan. Water softeners are not complicated to maintain, but there’s a few points to keep in mind.
Check the salt levels regularly
Salt is the active component of a water softener, because it converts the harmful minerals in tap water such as calcium and magnesium into sodium ions through an ion-exchange process. Therefore it’s necessary to ensure that the device is sufficiently topped up with salt, otherwise it won’t work properly.
The salt levels should sit above the water level in the tank. Check every two weeks and replenish when necessary with the salt type, as recommended by the manufacturer of the water softener. For best results, always buy the best quality salt blocks or sodium crystals.
Clean out the brine tank annually
The brine tank can collect sediment over time, forming a buildup of sludge that can affect the overall performance of the water softener. Wash it out once a year with soap and warm water, then rinse and replace.
Be vigilant for salt bridges
Salt bridges is a hard crust that forms on the brine tank, and prevents the effective conversion of hard mineral ions into sodium ions. If a salt bridge has formed, break it up with a hard object, and refill the salt. Salt bridges tend to form more readily in high humidity, so if your water softener is in a humid environment, consider installing a dehumidifier.
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