| A water softener is used to help eliminate ions such | | | | quite expensive in comparison. It is still a form of salt, |
| as calcium and magnesium found in tap water. These | | | | but the effects would be minimal. |
| ions are beneficial to the body, but they can cause | | | | WATER SOFTENER PROBLEM #2: INEFFECTIVE |
| several household problems. Sediments often lead to | | | | FILTRATION |
| formation of lime deposits that can clog pipes and | | | | Some occasionally find out that their water softener |
| shorten the life span of washing machines. Water | | | | is not working properly. Bad water filtration can result |
| filtration is often used to help go about this problem. | | | | from several issues. Before you call a professional, |
| A good water filtration system functions by | | | | take some time to check your system to prevent |
| effectively producing filtered water that does not | | | | unnecessary spending of money. One thing you |
| cause any buildup which can damage installed pipes | | | | should check is the tank. See if it has deposits that |
| and washing machines. Water filtration often occurs | | | | needs flushing. Also, check the salinity of your brine. |
| through the application of a reverse osmosis system. | | | | Proper salt balance in a water softener is required in |
| The system system applies pressure in a chamber | | | | order for your filtration to be done properly. Different |
| that is enclosed with a membrane that allows pure | | | | manufacturers require different salinity, which they |
| water to go through while holding in larger molecules | | | | often specify in the instructions manual. One last thing |
| of calcium and magnesium ions. | | | | to check would be the regeneration frequency of |
| As beneficial as water softening systems are to your | | | | your filter. There may be a need to increase the rate |
| pipes and washing machines, there are some | | | | of regeneration in order for the water to be filtered |
| problems that you may have to encounter. We will | | | | effectively. |
| discuss these types of problems as we go along, and | | | | WATER SOFTENER PROBLEM #3: LOW BRINE |
| suggest some common and simple solutions that you | | | | FLOW |
| can apply to help go around each issue. | | | | Brine flow is also a common issue with water filtration |
| WATER SOFTENER PROBLEM #1: SALINITY | | | | systems. If the brine flow of your system is |
| Water softening often involves the use of salt. It is | | | | unnatural, check several things before calling the |
| used to help attain osmotic pressure in water | | | | manufacturer. First, flush out the brine line. Salt |
| filtration systems that operate through the action of | | | | deposits may be clogging the line, impeding brine flow. |
| reverse osmosis. Salt often goes with the filtered | | | | Inspect the filter screen as well as the injector |
| water that is produced in the water softener. This | | | | system for any problems and damages, and then |
| can create complications if you are in a salt restriction | | | | replace them if necessary. Did you look at the |
| diet, suffering from heart conditions or hypertension. | | | | pressure gauge for the brine line? Your water |
| One way around this is using two pipes: one that | | | | filtration system has a specific pressure that it needs |
| leads to the water softener, the other one leading | | | | to maintain for the brine to flow freely. You may |
| straight to another faucet. This way, the water that | | | | have to check the manual as different companies |
| goes through the bypass pipe will not contain sodium. | | | | have different pressure requirements. |
| This unfiltered water can be safely used for drinking | | | | Troubleshooting water softener problems is easy and |
| and cooking without causing sodium imbalance in your | | | | can be done without having to contact a professional. |
| body. If you or other members of the family have | | | | Doing it manually is your best friend for maintaining |
| salt issues, it would be better not to install a whole | | | | your system. Although we may have given you |
| house water filtration system so that you have the | | | | solutions to your main problems, we still have to |
| ability to choose the type of water you would want | | | | tackle those questions you want to ask regarding |
| to use for a specific purpose. | | | | water filters. Understanding all the ins and outs of a |
| Another solution is to use potassium chloride to | | | | water filter is essential if you are considering an |
| replace the salt used in the system. Although the | | | | investment in a water softener. |
| compound is as effective as sodium chloride, it is | | | | |