When is it Time to Repair My Water Softener?

Sometimes, it may be obvious that your water softener needs to be repaired, while other times the signs might not be quite as obvious. Here are some signs that is might be time to have the water softener in your Sycamore, IL, home repaired.

 

The Water Has a Foul Odor

If you are the original owner of the water softener, you may have noticed a drastic improvement in the smell of water after having the water softener installed. If you notice that this odor has returned to your water, you should schedule a service call for your water softener. It may be that something isn’t working properly, or that the brine tank needs to be cleaned. A water professional can help you determine the cause and help correct the problem.

 

Stains and Discoloration Appear

Another key indicator that your Sycamore, IL, water softener needs repair is that stains appear on water fixtures like sinks and faucets, and your laundry starts to discolor. These visible signs are a key indicator that mineral deposits are being left behind from hard water and that your water softener is not working properly. It is important to correct the problem right away because, if you notice these hard water deposits, it means that damage is also being done where you can’t see it, like throughout your plumbing system. This can lead to bigger, and more expensive, problems in the future.

 

Your Water Softener is Using More Salt Than Usual

If you find that the water usage in your home has not changed, having to replace the salt in your water softener more often may be an indication that there is a problem with your unit. This could be due to several factors.

 

First, check to make sure the control panel is set properly. If you’ve recently had a power outage, for example, your water softener controls might need to be reset. Leaking valves or pipes is another reason that your water softener might be using more salt. A third reason is a dirty or clogged brine tank.

 

If your water softener’s control panel is set properly, or you have reset it and the problem persists, it is time to call a certified water specialist to assess the problem. Leaving the problem can cause further damage to your water softener, and cost you more in the long run.

 

Your Water Softener is Using Less Salt Than Usual

Just as using too much salt can indicate that your Sycamore, IL, home’s water softener needs repair, the same can be said of using less salt than normal. Again, if this isn’t due to a reduction in water usage, there is something else going on with your softener.

 

First, your softener could have formed something called a salt bridge. This occurs when salt isn’t dissolving properly and forms a hard clump. You might be able to break this up yourself, but if that doesn’t work or you aren’t sure how to do it, contact your water softener repair specialist.

 

Another problem that can cause you to use less salt in your water softener is a clog in the regeneration system. This blockage doesn’t allow enough salt to pass through into the water, thereby reducing the amount of salt your softener is using.

 

When your water softener is no longer working properly, it’s important to get it checked out right away to protect your appliances, pipes and housewares from damage, as well as to prevent expensive repairs that can result from usage of hard water long term. Prairie State Water Solutions specialists are trusted experts in water softener repair and can get to the problem quickly. Call us at 1-630-864-7078.