Water softeners are a godsend to anyone who has ever dealt with the nuances associated with hard water. This kind of water leaves mineral deposits that make running or cleaning equipment and water appliances in industrial or commercial facilities difficult. The minerals that water softeners remove from your water are magnesium and calcium.
Water softeners, like every other device out there, is subject to wear and tear over time. Components will start to break, and electrical problems will occur until they just stop working.
Most water softeners last between 10 and 15 years if taken care of properly. Thus, if you installed your water softener more than a decade ago, it may be subject to replacement. Since there isn’t a set time when you should replace your commercial water softener, you need to identify the signs that your appliance is starting to fail.
What affects the life span of your water softener?
Manufacturers build water softeners to withstand daily usage. However, there are a few reasons why your appliance can break down before reaching the end of its useable life. They include the following:
Quality of water being treated-The life span of a water softener is determined by the quality of water in your home or area. Water that contains a lot of iron or is extremely hard will wear and tear your water softener killing it sooner.
Quantity of water being treated- The volume of water that your water softener regularly treats also affects its lifespan. For example, a family of six will use more water daily than a retired couple. Correspondingly, the larger family will cause the water softening process to run more frequently because the higher volume of water is processed.
Frequency of use- As mentioned previously, the hardness of the water being treated determines the lifespan of the water softener. It determines the frequency of use of the water softener as well. The machine will run more frequently to work at filtration and produce the water quality you are looking for.
Common signs of water softener failure
So, when should you replace your water softener? In some cases, the water softener will simply stop working, giving you an obvious sign. In most cases, however, there are subtle signs that your appliance is beginning to fail. Noticing these signs does not necessarily mean that your appliance needs to be replaced. It could mean that your water softener just needs servicing.
Several components, such as the media, can be replaced. The solution may also be as easy as remembering to add salt into the brine tank. Clogged valves may need cleaning, and if you are unsure of the issue, you can contact your residential water treatment expert to look at your situation.
Here are a few signs that your water softener is failing:
- Hard water spots:
Hard water spots are an undeniable sign of a water softener that is malfunctioning. Suppose you start noticing mineral deposits building up around your appliances and sinks or hard water spots in these areas. In that case, you may need to call a technician who will either diagnose the problem o tell you to get a replacement unit. These deposits are the crusty build-ups that you find in sinks and pipes. Your linen might also come out of the laundry machine with a crunchy feeling.
- Water Pressure issues:
Changes in water pressure may mean that your softener has malfunctioned and lets minerals like magnesium and calcium build up inside the pipes. You should call a technician as soon as you notice this to prevent further problems.
- Poor tasting water:
Another obvious sign is when your water starts to taste bad. Soft water tastes different from hard water. Many people prefer the smooth, soft water taste and will quickly notice increased mineral content in their drinking water. However, you may not notice this problem if you don’t use the water for drinking in your business or facility. The water may have a strange odour or taste, indicating that your water softener isn’t filtering out all the minerals as it should.
- Different feeling of the water:
The water may feel different. As odd as this sounds, there is a distinct difference in how soft, and hard water feels. Moreover, cleaning products form better in soft water than hard. A telltale sign of hard water is when soap refuses to lather. You may notice that you have a hard time cleaning commercial equipment or going through soap a lot faster than usual as you need to use more to get decent lather. The soft water may feel ‘lighter’ than hard water. Consult your repair technician if your water starts to feel off.
- It too salty:
Older water softener models rely on salt to filter the water. On the other hand, newer models rely on cartridges instead of salts. These cartridges make newer models last far longer than older models, and this means that even if you have a functioning older unit, you should consider swapping it out. The newer model has a life span of 10 to 15 years and even longer if properly maintained.
- Difficulty in washing clothes
If you use your commercial water softener in areas that offer laundry services, then you may notice that the clothes coming out of the water are scratchy and stiff. You can counteract the stiffness to some degree with a fabric softener, but a more logical solution is to ensure that your water softener functions appropriately. Hard water damaged appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters and all other water appliances. To protect your equipment, you must check and make sure that your water softener functions appropriately.
Benefits of a new water softener
If you realize that you need to replace your water softener, then you will be glad to know that the models in the market today are more durable and more efficient than their previous counterparts. Newer technology in the manufacturing process has made new features in the current models that help correctly maintain your system.
Your life will be much easier if you replace your old water softener. Softened water will give you better-tasting water and softer clothes. The water will also be easier on skin and hair. Additionally, it will ensure that the water-using appliances last as long as you would expect.