When it comes to our water softeners, we don’t put much thought into how they work. So long as our water quality continues to meet our standards, we trust that our water conditioning system is doing its job right. However, it is common to question the purpose of putting salt in our water softeners, since it seems like a strange task.

The truth is salt is the secret to having soft water. Continue reading to learn more about water softener salt, including some key terms that will help you better understand what it is for.

Call 317-784-1870 For Water Softener Service in Indianapolis.

The Basics of Water Softener Salt

Water softener salt plays a major role in hard water removal. To understand how water softener salt works, you first must have a basic understanding of how a water softener uses ion exchange technology to remove hard mineral ions from municipal water. See our blog, “The Basics of Water Softening” to learn a quick review of the water conditioning process.

Basically, traditional tank-style water softeners that use salt have a resin tank, where thousands of tiny resin beads hold electrically-charged ions. When the water softener system regenerates overnight, the resin beads fill up with sodium ions provided by the softening salt. The sodium-filled resin beads attract all the magnesium, calcium, and other minerals in hard water as it passes through, and trades them for the sodium ions.

Water Softening Terms You Should Know

Resin Beads – Water softener resin beads are the ion-exchange media used to implement the ion-exchange process that renders hard water, soft. Also known as sulfonated co-polymer of styrene and divinyl benzene, the most commonly used resin beads in the water softener industry are polystyrene-type gel resin beads, which are primarily Polystyrene and Divinylbenzene (DVB).

Resin Tank – This is where the water softening process takes place. The hard water passes through the resin tank, which contains resin beads, or ion exchange resin, ready to attract all the hard mineral ions and swap them with softer sodium ions.

Brine Tank – This tank is important to tank-style water softeners because it is where the salt is filled. For the average home, the brine tank need only refilled around six to eight times, annually. Just be sure to use the right salt!

Brine Solutions – A water softener produces a brine solution from the salt added in the brine tank when it regenerates. A mixture of water and salt, this brine solution serves to cleanse the resin beads and recharge them for their next softening cycle.

Regeneration – Regeneration is the process of a water softener removing hard mineral ions from water. It is normal for a water softener to take up to an hour or more to finish a regeneration cycle. Of course, this all depends on the size, make, and model of the unit, and the number of occupants in the home.

Timer-Based Regeneration – Water softeners that enter their regeneration cycle on a preset schedule are known as timer-based regeneration models. They are quite outdated, and do not come highly recommended. Although there might be some benefits to setting your own regeneration times, newer models do a more efficient job, which saves you money.

Demand-Initiated Regeneration – A water softener that comes with this feature is very efficient. It is designed with sensors that monitor your home’s water usage and make adjustments as needed. This as-needed operation saves water, time, and money.

If you’re looking for assistance with treating hard water, make sure to contact a local plumbing expert today! Just call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for trusted water softener sales, service, and installation in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Pros of Saltless Water Softeners

The main selling point of saltless water softening systems is that they don’t require any additional salt to be added. This eliminates the need for frequent refills and makes them more cost-efficient than traditional salt-based water softeners. Additionally, these systems are easier to install, maintain, and operate than traditional salt-based systems. They also require no electrical connections, making them ideal for areas with limited power supply.

Saltless water softening systems are also more environmentally friendly than their traditional counterparts. Since no salt is used in these systems, the amount of sodium chloride that ends up in rivers and streams is greatly reduced. This can have a positive effect on aquatic ecosystems and the environment in general.

Cons of Saltless Water Softeners

One key disadvantage of saltless water softening systems is that they are not as effective at removing hard minerals from your water. These systems use mechanical or electrical methods to disrupt the structure of limescale and other hard materials in order to reduce their scale-building properties. While these systems are effective at removing some of the hardness from water, they cannot completely remove all of it.

Additionally, saltless water softening systems require more frequent maintenance than traditional salt-based units. These systems also tend to be more expensive than traditional water softeners and have a shorter lifespan, meaning they need to be replaced more often.

How to Decide on a Salt-Free Water Softener System

When it comes to deciding whether a saltless water softening system is right for you, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons. These systems are cost efficient and easy to install, but they may not be as effective at removing hard minerals from your water as traditional salt-based systems. Talk to a professional water softener service technician to learn the best options for your home or business.

Replacing your conventional water softener with a salt-free model has never been easier! Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for water softener sales, service, and installation in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial customers, and service all make and model saltfree water softeners.

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