Regular maintenance is the key to a long-lasting, efficient water softener. This complete guide walks you through everything you need to do to keep your system running at its best, from adding salt to cleaning the brine tank.
Monthly Maintenance: Check the Salt
The most important monthly task is checking your salt level. Open the brine tank lid and visually inspect the salt. It should be at least one-quarter full and always above the water line. If you can see water above the salt, add more immediately. While checking, also tap the side of the salt to check for bridging — a hard crust that can form at the surface. If the salt does not move when pushed, you may have a bridge that needs to be broken up with a broom handle.
Quarterly Maintenance: Check the Settings
Every three months, verify that your softener's settings are correct. Check the hardness setting — for San Antonio, this should be set to 21-25 GPG depending on your specific water test results. Check the regeneration schedule — most systems regenerate every 3-7 days depending on usage. Check the time on the display to ensure it is accurate, as the regeneration cycle is typically set to run in the early morning hours when water use is low.
Annual Maintenance: Clean the Brine Tank
Once a year, we recommend a thorough cleaning of the brine tank. Wait until the salt level is low, then scoop out any remaining salt. Remove any sediment or sludge from the bottom of the tank. Wash the inside with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. You can also sanitize the tank with a diluted bleach solution (1/4 cup per 2 gallons of water). Refill with fresh salt after cleaning. This prevents bacterial growth and ensures efficient brine production.
Annual Maintenance: Clean the Resin Bed
Over time, iron, manganese, and organic matter can foul the resin beads in your softener, reducing their capacity and effectiveness. Use a resin cleaning product (like Res-Up or Iron Out) according to the manufacturer's instructions — typically added to the brine well during a manual regeneration cycle. In San Antonio, we recommend doing this annually, or more frequently if your water has iron content above 0.3 mg/L.
When to Call a Professional
While basic maintenance is something every homeowner can handle, some tasks require professional expertise. Call Hill Country Water Softeners if you notice any of the following: your water feels hard despite having salt in the tank, the system is not regenerating on schedule, you hear unusual noises from the control valve, there is water leaking from any part of the system, or the resin beads are appearing in your water. We also recommend scheduling an annual professional inspection to check all components.