When Do I Need to Replace My Water Softener?

A water softener is used to remove excess calcium and magnesium from your water. When you have high concentrations of these minerals in your water, it means that you have hard water that can have a negative impact on your skin, appliances, pipes, and more. 

Hard water can make soaps ineffective. This can make dishes difficult to clean, give clothes a scratchy feel, or you may even feel a soapy residue on your hair or skin. Hard water can also lead to damaging mineral build-up in your appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines. Hard water can also clog your pipes, cause scale build-up on showerheads and faucets, and leaves spots on your glassware. 

A water softener is used to reduce the minerals in your water that make it hard. They can also be used to improve the taste of your water by removing dissolved iron that fives a metallic taste to water. 

What are the Signs my Water Softener Needs Replaced? 

Look at the Type of Timer

Newer water softeners have digital timers, so if yours has a mechanical timer, then it is a sign that you have an older water softener that may not be performing as efficiently as you need it to. A mechanical timer is likely causing your water softener to perform softening based on a fixed time interval rather than based on your water usage. If your system is regenerating more than needed, it is using extra salt, water, and electricity than needed. With a newer system, they will regenerate based on how much water your household uses. 

Pay Attention to the Water Quality

If your water softener is not working properly, you may notice that your water seems soft on some days but not on other days. This inconsistency is a sign that your water softener needs to be replaced. 

Check the Salt Levels

Check to see if your salt tank is full. If you notice that it is always full, this means that your softener isn’t using any salt, which is crucial to the process of softening your water. You also should pay attention to whether you are replacing salt more often than usual, which could also indicate an issue with the system that may warrant a replacement. 

Older Systems Can Be Difficult to Repair

The older your system is, the harder it may be to find parts for your system, making a replacement easier and more cost-efficient. 

What Features Should I Look for in a New Water Softener?

When shopping around for a new water softener, we recommend looking for water softening systems that feature:

Customization

Newer, high-quality water softening systems offer you programming flexibility that allows you to do things such as adjust the softness level of your water or when the unit regenerates. 

Salt and Water Tracking

There are water softeners available that work with a smartphone app to allow you to check your water usage patterns and even changes in salt levels. The app-enabled systems can also provide alerts for leaks or when you are running low on salt. Some models even allow you to set and track your water usage to help promote water conservation in your home. 

Efficient Operation

Newer water softeners can utilize a sensor to adjust automatically to your home’s current water conditions and will only regenerate when needed. This will help reduce operating costs and is especially useful for those who use municipal water system that switches to different water sources with different levels of hardness. 

Looking for a Water Softener Upgrade?

If you are ready to upgrade your water softener to a newer model, the water experts at Aqua Solutions can help! Contact us today to learn more!