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The statistics are shocking! According to USGS, 80% of homeowners in the United States deal with hard water. The problem is, hard water reduces the lifespan of your plumbing fixtures, can affect your health, and tastes awful.

Therefore, homeowners hire plumbers to install water softeners in their homes. The groundwater has a lot of impurities. Having a water softener installed at your home ensures you can readily use the water for showering, drinking, washing clothes, among other uses.

The state of Texas ranks sixth in water hardness. Therefore, most homes have water softeners installed if they use groundwater. It could annoy and disappoint a person to find the water softener in your Arlington, TX, home breaking down, malfunctioning, misbehaving, or making funny noises. Do not panic or worry, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth has got your plumbing issues covered. You only need to call us, and we will be there at the earliest. Below are some of the common water softener issues.

Salt Bridges

The primary role of a water softener is preventing the minerals from entering your pipes. However, the softeners are also prone to scaling problems. The minerals accumulate at the bottom of the tank, forming a salt bridge. This causes the effectiveness of the water softener to be reduced.

A salt bridge is a hard crust that forms at the brine of your tank. If left for long, salt bridges may break the water softening system. Detecting a salt bridge can be difficult. While many people prefer to remove the salt bridge themselves, there are many reasons it is not a good idea. Using metal rods and bloom handles to break the salt bridge may cause an even larger problem.

For this reason, we recommend you hire the services of a professional plumber. They have specialized tools and experience to handle these plumbing tasks. Breaking the salt bridge yourself without cleaning the tank may cause the problem to be frequent.

When you use excess or wrong salt, the formation of salt bridges is inevitable. The plumber will advise you on the best salt to use for your water. They will also clean the edges of your tank, avoiding a repetition of the same issue. Let a plumbing service take care of your plumbing system. Avoid DIY plumbing works.

Brown Water

Is the water coming from your faucet or tap brown? Brown water from a tap is unsightly. Most times, this happens in case your plumbing system is old, has substantial mineral sedimentation, dirty water feeds, and if your well water has tannins. Therefore, most people do not think of the water softener.

However, water softeners may also be a cause for your brownish water. The buildup of iron and manganese in your home’s mineral tank makes the water brown. Therefore, cleaning the mineral tank is vital in clearing any sediments or rust accumulated at the bottom. Bacterial buildup can also cause the brown water to come from your softener. It makes the water undrinkable.

As you can see, there are many causes of brown water, including your water softening system. Therefore, call an Arlington, TX plumber to help diagnose the cause and resolve it before it escalates. Do not drink brown water because it may cause some health complications.

Salt Tank Containing Water

If your home has a water softener, you might have sometimes observed its salt tank full of water. Though there are many causes, the primary culprits are the lack of airflow and clogging.

Instead of guessing what the issue is, contacting a plumber is to inspect and resolve the issue may be a wiser option. Below are other reasons water may seep into the salt tank.

Using an old water softener

Though water softeners may last for over ten years, their lifespan varies depending on several factors like equality, maintenance, and daily use.

After the water softeners reach their lifespan, they degrade swiftly. Therefore, you may need the services of a plumber, as they need frequent repairs. When the lifespan of your water softener elapses, we recommend you replace it.

The float valve may be set at a high level

Sometimes, the problem may arise from how the float valve is set. The float valve controls the water levels in the compartment. If you place it too high, there could be excess water buildup. Hence, the softener will not release the water effectively. Call a plumbing service and have them fix the issue.

The water entry valve might be broken

The valve prevents water from flowing into the salt tank. However, if damaged or broken, the water flows into the salt tank. To fix the issue, call a plumber for the valve replacement.

Operational Errors

Water softener relies on manual settings and inputs. It is prone to operational errors. Regardless of the size of the error, it may interfere with the functioning of the water softener. Such a problem occurs when you have a new water softener. Resetting the softener to factory settings might also cause the problem.

Contact a professional plumbing service company if your water softening system is complicated or you lack the technical knowledge of setting it properly. Attempting to set it yourself may lead to many problems.

The Unit Does Not Soften the Water

After you go through the trouble of buying and installing the water softener, it can annoy seeing hard water come out of your faucets. If the water softener is in bypass mode, this can happen. In bypass mode, the water softening unit does not soften your water.

Besides the unit being in bypass mode, there are several other reasons the softening unit may not soften your water. The tank’s scale, a buildup of iron, or debris may also cause the water softener to malfunction.

However, the unit may not soften the water because of a salt bridge in the resin beads or the brine tank. An increase in the size of people who spend more time in the house may also result in the unit not softening the water. It cannot accommodate the water usage of your increased family members.

Call a plumber to diagnose and resolve the problem, helping your Arlington, TX home have a seamless flow of soft water.

Water Softening System Is Not Using Salt

Have you noticed the salt levels remaining the same as when you filled it last? It means the softening system is not using salt. Therefore, the water softener is pointless as it cannot soften the hard water. The softening of hard water happens because of ion exchange facilitated by the salt.

There are many reasons a water softening unit may not use the salt, including forming a salt bridge. The other reason could be the nozzle venturi is clogged inside. The role of a nozzle venturi is drawing the brine solution from the brine tank.

When the nozzle venturi becomes faulty, it cannot draw the brine solution, interfering with the use of salt. Call a plumber to resolve the issue and ensure the softening system uses the salt. You will avoid causing more problems and ensure your home has soft water for use.

Low Water Pressure Caused by Water Softener

Using water with low pressure can be frustrating. Although there are many causes of low water pressure, your water softener could be the culprit. Call a plumber to inspect the plumbing system. They have the experience of inspecting and diagnosing the cause of low pressure in your water. One benefit of hiring a plumber is they will inspect the entire plumbing system.

After the inspection, the problem could be one or a collection of the following;

A leakage in the pipe connecting to your water softener

A corroded or clogged pipe at your home’s entry, meaning that water enters your house before being softened

The problem is with your water provider. Their water pressure may be down.

If the plumber finds the water softener causes the low pressure, it may result from either of the following issues:

Buildup of sediments

The clogging and accumulation of sediments may cause low water pressure in your softening unit. The plumber inspects the entire softening unit, including the piping, if they think there is a blockage. If there is one, they remove it. They will also clean the sediment filter or replace it depending on its state. Cleaning helps prevent clogging that prevents water flow, increasing the water pressure.

Small water softener

When purchasing a water softening unit, consider its size. An incorrectly sized system may cause low water pressure. For instance, when you buy a softening unit without sufficient capacity to handle the water usage at your home, you will have low water pressure and other related issues. Consult a plumber for advice regarding the softening unit size that your home might require.

The resin bed has an iron buildup

A buildup of iron in your resin tank may reduce the water pressure significantly. A plumber can help you avoid this mess by adding a mineral cleaner inside the tank and setting extra regeneration cycles.

Resin clogs

The resin beads washed from your tank may clog the water softening system. A plumber will replace the beads and flush the system, removing any blocked beads.

There Are Problems with The Resin Beads

Most homeowners ignore the resins because they work in the background. When they malfunction, they affect how your water softening unit works. Your water softener tank has tiny beads called resin beads in large amounts. The beads remove the hard minerals from the water by binding them in ion exchange, softening the water.

After the hard minerals from the water mix with the resin beads, they stick. The water carries them away, leaving the tank. The process is called ion exchange and enables your home to have soft water. When the resin beads collect in the water softening unit tank, they are called a resin bed.

Resin beads should last for the lifespan of your water softener. However, you may replace them after every ten years or less when their potential diminishes, or they break. Have you seen particles flow in your softened water? It is a sign that the resin beads are not functioning correctly.

Homeowners replace the beads after they think their potential has declined. Although this could be a solution, your plumbing system may be the issue. Hence, even after incurring a fortune replacing the resin beads, the problem remains unresolved.

A damaged or faulty seal in your tank’s upper distributor may be the issue. If the upper distributor has a crack, the water beads might escape into your water supply.

Some homeowners may try the DIY approach first (which is a bad idea). The best way to resolve the issue is to have a professional plumber inspect the components of the upper distributor and do the required replacements. They will also add resin beads to your filter, replacing the lost ones.

A failure in the water softener’s motor

A motor is necessary for the water softening unit to function. To operate, motors use electrical power. It means they can break or fail. If you wake up to a malfunctioning unit, it could result from a motor failure.

However, a DIY inspection may lead to false conclusions. While you may call the manufacturer for warranty-based inspection and repair, the warranty may be void. Therefore, calling a plumber to inspect the unit is the best option.

Do not wait for the motor to malfunction or stop working. Enlist the help of a reputable plumbing services company like Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth. Our professionals will maintain your water softening unit and conduct routine inspections to ensure your Arlington, TX, the home has a continuous supply of soft water.

Your Trusted Plumbing Service Company in Arlington, TX

A water softening unit is an essential part of the plumbing system at your home. Keeping the water softening unit operational is essential since you cannot use the hard water. You do not want to wake up to a malfunctioning water softener, meaning your home will be without safe drinking water.

Are you experiencing any problems with your water softening unit? Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth for durable repair solutions. We serve all areas of Texas, including cities like Arlington. We have experienced and licensed plumbers who can help with plumbing emergencies, water heater, sump pump, leak detection, among other plumbing services.

Call us today to learn about our services in Arlington, TX. Trust us to help you with all your plumbing issues.