How long do water softeners last? Getting a water softener, especially a whole-house system, is a significant investment. It’s only right to expect they’ll have a long life. But sadly, that’s not always the case.
In this post, we’ll look at the factors that can affect the lifespan of your water softener. Then, we’ll be going over signs your softening unit needs repair or replacement.
How Long Do Water Softeners Last?
Depending on the type and quality you have, the typical lifespan of water softeners will vary from eight years to 20 years. The quality and quantity of water being treated will also affect your water softener’s life. Of course, maintenance will help greatly in pushing your softener to last for a long time.
Type of Water Softener
Knowing the type of water softener you have will help in understanding how long it will last. An electric softener (e.g. single tank electric softener) may last a min of two years and a max of 10 years. In comparison, kinetic-energy-relying water softeners—regulated by water flow—can last longer, up to 20 years if well-maintained.
Quality and Quantity of Water Being Treated
A whole-house softening system will have tons more water to treat compared to an under-the-sink softening system. Water hardness level will also play a significant part in the life of your water softener.
If you have large quantities of very hard water being treated for the entire house, your water softener’s life may end under the average lifespan. In turn, large quantities of mildly hard water won’t be causing the same strain on your water softening system.
Regular and Proper Maintenance
Most water softeners aren’t a plug-and-ignore type of device. Even a softening system that requires the least attention will need regular maintenance from you.
Some water conditioners (systems that prevent scale buildup but don’t produce soft water) are the plug-and-ignore type of device. If you’re not too keen on maintenance costs and specifics, look into water conditioners for your home.
10 Warning Signs Your Water Softener Needs To Repair or Replace
Like all appliances, no water softener will last forever. In the early years of your water softener, you will notice symptoms that your softener needs repair. A few more years onward—sooner if maintenance isn’t done at regular intervals—you’ll see signs your softener needs replacement.
So, let’s take a look at all those signs and symptoms. As we do, try and evaluate your water softening system. Even if you’ve only had it for a couple of years, spotting early signs can help your softener last in the long run.
When To Repair
Seeing hard water symptoms doesn’t mean you immediately need a new water softener. If, as stated above, you’ve only had your water softener for a couple of years, you’ll only need to make some repairs.
Best case scenario: only one or two components need repair. Worst case scenario: almost everything needs to be repaired, in which case, getting a new water softener may cost less.
Salt Bridge in the Brine Tank
A salt bridge forms in the brine tank as a result of the combination of humidity and stagnant saltwater or brine water. This bridge appears as a hard crust over the water in your brine tank.
When salt bridges, the water and salt can’t make contact as an empty space forms between them. If the salt bridge is not removed, the water entering the bottom of your brine tank can’t reach the salt. Without salt to dissolve, brine won’t be made, and if there’s no brine, the resin bed of your water softener won’t be regenerated. This will result in hard water.
Check for a salt bridge by inserting a broom handle in the brine tank. If you come across an obstruction before you reach the bottom, it’s likely your salt has bridged. You can also watch out for the following telltale signs that a salt bridge has formed:
- Your water supply has turned into hard water.
- Your water softener has stopped producing brine.
- Your water softener has stopped using salt.
Repairing this is quite simple. First, scoop out the loose salt until you reach the salt bridge. With a broom handle, break up the hardened salt. Lastly, add salt to the tank. Make sure to regularly check and clean the tank as needed to keep your supply of soft water.
Incorrect Salt Usage
Related to the topic above, using salts of poor quality is a possible culprit for regularly recurring bridges. Also, each softening system will require a specific type of salt. Water softener salts come in crystals, pellets, cubes, and blocks.
Be sure to buy high-quality salts specifically made for your water softening unit. Often, the info on the specific type you need is included in your water softener manual. If you’re unable to find it, be sure to contact the unit manufacturer.
Having salts of poor quality and the wrong type can result in constant clogs, softening inefficiency, and motor malfunctions. So make sure to check your salt usage and correct it as needed.
Damaged Resin Bed
Resin beds can sometimes last the entire life of your water softener. But in some cases, a water softener resin bed can go bad before the unit itself needs to be replaced. Typically, the efficiency of resin beds can peak after five years. Using a water softener cleaner about once a year can help with the maintenance of the bed and resin beads.
So, how can resin beds go bad? Here are the three most common causes of damaged resin beds:
- Water hammering. This is a phenomenon where a water pressure surge propagates through a piping system every time a faucet is turned on and off. If your piping system has excessive water hammering, this can cause direct damage to the bed whenever water shoots into the tank.
- Chlorine. Most municipal water supplies have a significant amount of chlorine. By far, this is the biggest culprit for damaged resin beds. Every time your water goes through the bed, the chlorine breaks the glue that holds resin beads together. Eventually, this will greatly reduce the lifespan of resin beds.
- Iron. If your water supply contains iron, it can coat the outside layer of the resin beads. This decreases the performance of your water softener by making it harder for calcium and magnesium ions to bind to the beads.
Once they’re damaged, you’ll need to have them replaced. You can do this yourself to save $150 in service fees. Alternatively, you can call on a plumber or a water softener technician to do it for you.
Insufficient Drainage
When your water softening unit has insufficient drainage, a damaged motor is the likely culprit. The motor is responsible for automatically rotating the valve between softening mode and regenerating mode. So, if the motor is damaged, the entire water softener system can stop working.
To check on this, switch the water softener to manual regeneration mode. You can check your unit’s manual or ask for assistance from the unit manufacturer. Check the floor drain and look for water flow. Correctly flowing water means the motor is working properly. No flow means the motor is damaged or incorrectly connected. Thankfully, the motor is just one component and can be easily replaced.
Disruption in the Bypass Valve
The bypass valve comes as a part of the water softener control valve and it is responsible for regulating the amount of water passing through the softener. Disruptions like clogging, breaking, or being set incorrectly will stop the water from flowing through the mineral tank. When that happens, hard water will remain hard.
If you start seeing symptoms of hard water, check the bypass valve first before you replace your water softener. This valve typically sits on top of the tank. Make sure it is set correctly. If it’s clogged or rusted, it’s better to call in a pro to have it fixed. You can also use water softener cleaner to help clean the valve.
When To Replace
The following symptoms can appear when some parts of your softener need to be repaired. But, if even after making all possible repairs, you’re still getting hard water and these symptoms regularly, it’s time to look into replacing your softening unit. This is especially true when the cost to repair various components is so much more than the cost of a water softener replacement.
Scale Buildup
Limescale or calcium scale buildup is one of the most common signs when it comes to your declining water quality. This buildup is the result of a faulty softening system, as it struggles to filter minerals from your hard water. Over time, these unfiltered mineral deposits build up and appear as a white residue.
Not only is this buildup unsightly on your plumbing fixtures and bathroom tiles. Your water-using appliances will also have a reduced lifespan due to the buildup. The buildup can also obstruct your pipes, the descaling of which can cost hundreds of dollars.
Soap Lathering Issues
Another sign that water softeners are no longer functioning properly is soap lathering issues. Depending on the hardness level of your unsoftened water, you’ll feel a film of residue left on your hands after washing off soap.
This happens because the soap reacts with the calcium—which makes up a large percentage of hard minerals—to form soap scum. If you do have hard water at your place, you’ll find it harder to get things clean (skin, hair, laundry, etc.), as you’ll need to use more soap and detergent.
Drinking Water Tastes Weird
Water taste will also be affected when your softening system isn’t working properly. Properly softened water tastes neutral. It doesn’t have a detectable flavour at all. Some do detect a little saltiness, due to the water softener resin containing concentrated sodium.
In comparison, particularly hard water contains minerals that add flavour to the water. To those who are used to water having a discernible taste, unsoftened water will taste better. The taste can vary depending on the hardness level of your water. Water can taste bitter when it’s high up on the hardness level scale.
Troubles with Laundry
Faulty water softeners can also make clothes stiff. As minerals in the water remain, they can stiffen clothes, sometimes staining them yellow and making them feel scratchy. Using fabric softener can help with the stiffness to a degree. However, having softened water to wash your clothes will be more helpful for your laundry problems.
Stains Around Drains and Faucets
If you find reddish or yellowish stains around your drains and faucets, it’s likely your softener isn’t working correctly. This is bound to happen when water treatment isn’t done to water with high iron contents.
Conclusion
How long a water softener lasts can be affected by many factors. Certainly, knowing when to repair or replace will make all the difference for the lifespan of your water softener. Hopefully, our discussion today has helped you have one foot forward when it comes to looking after your softening system.
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