How Long Do Water Softeners Last?

How to Get the Most Out of Your Water Softening Equipment 

Is your water softener running? If so, I may vote for it. Keeping your home appliances working properly is no joke. You may not give a lot of thought to the age of your washing machine, refrigerator, or water softener, that is, until one of them stops running. Investing in systems with proven track records, coupled with some upkeep, can extend the lifespan of your major appliances. In general, they may last 15-20 years, but this depends on the homeowner’s diligence in selecting and maintaining their investment.

When it comes to water softeners, a well-made system with features to help conserve water and money, as well as settings that are simple to navigate, is worth a higher price tag. A properly chosen water softener doesn’t require extensive or frequent maintenance, and with little effort, you can keep your system running longer and more efficiently. 

Following these few simple steps will give your water softener a longer, healthier life: 

1. Have your  water tested for hardness and iron, and program your water softener accordingly. This step is often overlooked when homeowners shop for a water softener. You may know you have hard water, and realize that a water softener is an effective solution to deal with it, but you’ll need to know exactly what’s in your water and the level of hardness. The amount you spend on a water softener depends on the hardness of your water and filtration capabilities. The number of people in your household and average water usage also plays a part in determining the capacity needed. Correctly programming your high efficiency system will also save on water and salt, and therefore, save you money. 

2. Choose a high-quality system. The price of a water softener will vary widely. Check out the warranty, features, and components. Big box stores may offer deep discounts on water softening equipment, but they often have shorter lives, expensive or exclusive parts, and warranties are iffy. One well-chosen device with proven technology equals great rewards. You’ll pay a lot less in the long run when it comes to service, repairs, and general maintenance. 

3. Know how much salt and what type you need for your softener. Use too much salt and you run the risk of running out of salt. Too little and you’ll run out of softened water, allowing hard water minerals into your pipes, fixtures, and appliances. Or too little can also create a salt bridge -- a buildup and solidification of salt inside the tank. The wrong type of salt can create undesirable conditions such as mushing at the bottom of your tank. Mushing is a thick layer of salt which keeps a water softener from properly cycling through the regeneration process, causing serious blockages. Using only high-quality salt pellets can significantly reduce the potential for problems. 

4. Periodically clean your brine tank to improve the performance of your system. The bottom of the brine tank is where salty gunk collects and causes malfunctions. Using salt with the highest purity level will cut down on water-insoluble matter or impurities that start to build up. Even so, a water softener’s brine tank should be thoroughly cleaned about once a year. It’s not difficult to do, and it will keep your system running smoothly. 

5. Do some homework. Apart from the features, capacity, and price, there are other details that can get confusing, such as the type of resin used inside a softener. The ion exchange resin is the media that softens water. The quality of that resin will determine the life expectancy of the softener. While softener resin lasts a very long time, its life isn’t infinite. Resin beads are generally made from divinylbenzene (DVB), which is wrapped in strands of polystyrene, or crosslinks. This gives the beads strength and enables them to expand and contract without breaking. The percentage of crosslinking indicates the amount of DVB in the resin beads. The higher the percentage of crosslinking, the smaller the beads and the better the efficiency and life expectancy. 

6. Buy your water softening equipment from a  reputable business with solid support. Select a company that stands by their products, has parts readily available, honors warranties, and won’t just make a sale and then hang homeowners out to dry. In the event you need to repair or replace your water softener, having a  water treatment expert you can trust, is priceless. The right company will be knowledgeable and always there to guide you in making important decisions about the water inside your home.