QA

Quick Answer: How To Tell If Water Softener Resin Is Bad

How do you know if your resin bed has “checked out”? Simple. Check to see if your water softener is using up salt at its regular rate. If it is, and you have no soft water, the resin bed has probably become saturated with iron deposits or been damaged by chlorine and can no longer be regenerated by the brine.

Does resin go bad in water softener?

How does a resin bed go bad? Some resin beds can last for the entire lifespan of the water softener, while others need to be replaced every 10 years or less. That’s because chlorine breaks up the glue that holds resin beads together, which renders them ineffective.

How much does it cost to replace resin in water softener?

Water Softener Resin Replacement Cost Water softener resin replacement costs $200 to $400 on average. If yellow resin fragments are getting into the home, the bottom distributor also needs to be replaced.

When should I replace softener resin?

Water softener resin will usually need to be replaced every 10 years. Resin that’s exposed to high levels of chlorine, iron, or water hardness will only last around 5 years. The lifespan of the resin depends on the quality of the water it is treating.

How often should I clean the resin in my water softener?

Clean the Resin Bed If your water contains iron, pour resin bed cleaner into the brine tank tube once or twice per year. Without cleaning, your softener will eventually lose its ability to remove iron. Just pick up some resin bed cleaner at a water softener dealer and follow the simple directions.

How do you clean a resin bed in a water softener?

There are two ways to clean the tank: The first is to unplug the water softener unit and remove the resin tank by unscrewing the bolts and disconnecting the valve. You can then clean the tank using bleach and water before reinstalling the tank.

Does water softener resin need to be replaced?

Resin is an important part of any water softener tank. Most resins do not need to be replaced frequently, but the frequency of the softener’s regeneration cycle affects the life of the resin.

How long should a water softener last?

Water softeners that operate using electricity to work can last anywhere between 2-10 years, depending upon the quality of the device. Water softeners that rely on the kinetic energy from water flow can last even longer, about 20 years if they are maintained well.

How do I know if my water softener is working properly?

How to tell if your water softener is working Check if your “softened” water is still easy to lather. High-quality laundry work. Clean pipes, faucets, toilet, tiles, and sinks. You still experience the unique taste of soft water. Leaks. No regeneration cycles. Low pressure. Resin beads problems.

Can I put vinegar in my water softener?

Can I put vinegar in my water softener? Yes; follow the same instructions for cleaning the tank with bleach. You can also mix the vinegar with water if you’d rather just scrub the brine tank instead of running a full cycle.

How long do resin beads last?

Resin beads in water softeners typically last about 10 to 15 years. However, they can be damaged by the excessive amounts of chlorine that are found in city water or iron in well water.

Does chlorine damage water softener resin?

When water with a chlorine level of above 1.0 ppm passes through a water softener, the chlorine will oxidize the resin beads. This oxidation can affect the softening process and cut the life of your resin in half.

How long does a 40 lb bag of water softener salt last?

Your salt consumption will depend on the level of water hardness (minerals in your water) and the amount of water your household consumes. The average family of four with hard water (7-10 grains per gallon hardness level) will use about one 40-lb bag of salt each month.

Should there be standing water in my water softener?

Seeing standing water in your brine tank can be a little disconcerting. For some households that don’t go through much water, this can be a common occurrence. Although you may need to add a bag of salt in the near future, it’s nothing to cause alarm. However, standing water can also be a sign of a problem.

Should there be water in my water softener salt tank?

Your water level should always be slightly lower than your salt level in your water softener brine tank. This is because the water needs to touch the salt so that it can absorb it and create the correct concentration of brine. That is why it is important to always make sure that your water is lower than the salt.

Does vinegar clean water softener resin?

Cleaning the Brine Tank Remove all the water present in the resin tank and empty it carefully in the drains. Use a ¼ cup of household bleach e.g. vinegar on 4-5 liters of clean water. Stir carefully and let the solution sit for 15 minutes. Pour it into the water softener and scrub once more with a brush.

How do you rejuvenate a water softener?

To refresh the bed, run Iron-Out through the system. Follow the directions for the amount to add to the brine tank, then run your softener through a manual regeneration to purge the wastewater. To do this, remove the cover from the control valve and find the regeneration knob.

What type of resin is in water softeners?

Most water softeners use the standard resins like the C-100-E Na. Which is for is a Cation Resin, with 8% Cross link that has been pre charged with sodium. This resin is great when you have water with less then 3-5 p.p.m. of dissolved Iron.

How much resin goes in a water softener tank?

Depending on its size, the amount of resin should be anywhere from 0.64 to 2.00 cubic feet. When you get the amount right, you eliminate one potential source of water softener problem.