With more than 30 years’ experience in the residential and commercial water treatment space, Mark Nelson is a Class 1 Drinking-Water Operator and a CBWA (Canadian Bottled Water Association) Certified Plant Operator. As founder and president of Nelson Water in Ottawa, Mark focuses on dealing with challenging water treatment system designs for problem water. He also heads the largest water bottling plant in the city of Ottawa with a delivery network throughout the Valley.
As the colder days arrive, it’s natural to think about winterizing certain areas in your home. Protecting rooms and systems from the effects of cold weather and freezing temperatures is a smart move. But, many people forget about their water softeners and the system can be damaged depending on a number of factors. In this article, we will take a closer look at how your water softener may be affected and what you can do to protect the system.
How Does Cold Weather Damage a Water Softener?
The first thing to consider is how your water softener works, and this will help you to identify the parts of the system that are at the most risk of damage.
Most modern water softeners use an ion-exchange process that swaps mineral ions for benign salt (sodium or potassium) ions. This takes place on a minute scale, but the removal of the mineral ions that make the water hard can be regarded as a kind of filtration process. The minerals that cause hard water are calcium, magnesium, and, to a certain extent, iron, if you live in an iron rich area. The presence of the minerals in your water supply causes the formation of scale in the pipes, which lowers the water pressure. The formation of scale on heating elements and inside water using appliances, including dishwashers, washers, coffee makers, ice makers, and more. This causes damage that is expensive to repair, and it may lead to an earlier than expected replacement.
When you have a water softener installed in your home, the incoming water is passed through a resin media tank. This tank is filled with resin brands that are coated with a brine solution that holds a charge. The water softening salt and hard mineral ions are attracted to each other, and this is when the ion exchange takes place. The mineral ions stick to the surface of the resin media beads, and the mineral-free water passes into the home. A regeneration cycle flushes the resin beads clean and coats the surface with a fresh layer of salt from the brine tank located nearby.
If the water softener is not protected against the cold weather, it may be damaged. The primary concern is any water that is contained in the system which may freeze. The brine tank is less prone to freezing because it contains salt, but this is not guaranteed. If the water softener freezes, there could be burst pipes and localized flooding problems. Let’s take a look at how you can prevent your water softener from freezing and keep it working throughout the winter months.
6 Signs that the Water Softener is Frozen
A water softener is pretty complex. There are a lot of connections to make the system work, and if the temperatures drop to 32º or lower, that’s when the potential for a problem arises. The various pipes and distribution tubes can separate or even crack, and this can release water into the home. Regular checks on the water softener can keep the inlets, outlets, and tanks free from ice so the water can move freely. Winterizing certain components to keep them running efficiently on colder days will certainly help. Here are six common warning signs that the water softener is frozen:
- The water softener equipment feels cold.
- The connections are coated in ice.
- Ice is lodged in the drain line.
- Ice is building up on the water softener.
- The electronic system powers down unexpectedly.
- The water softener is running louder.
Ignoring these warning signs is not a smart decision, and the water softener is prone to damage when the temperature drops. The equipment will expand and contract; connections that are not insulated can become brittle and break. Even the brine tank can freeze if the temperature drops lower than 32º in extreme cases. Even a small leak can release a lot of water leading to water damage and even a fire if the water reaches wiring or an electrical outlet.
7 Tips to Protect the Water Softener
Here are seven tips that will help you to protect your water softener from freezing:
1. Keep the Equipment Warm
Preventing freezing should be a priority, and this can be achieved if the temperature is kept above 32ºF. A strategically placed space heater can keep warm air flowing around the equipment. Insulating the equipment, connections, and pipes with specialized wrapping materials that adds an extra layer of thermal protection.
2. Drain the Water Tank
If you’re not using the water softener during the winter, it’s a good idea to drain the tank. This is the best option for water softeners that are located outdoors and in vacation homes that are not occupied for long periods.
3. Running Water
If the water is moving, it’s less likely to freeze, and this is a viable strategy if you’re away from home for a few days. Simply leave a kitchen faucet dripping slowly and make sure that the water can drain away. This is a great way to stop pipes and water softener pipes from freezing, thawing, and then bursting.
4. Insulation
Insulation is a passive option, but the upfront costs are affordable for most people, and it will last for years. Adding some insulation material to the pipes connections and even a jacket for the tanks is a great idea. Remember you only need to bring the temperature up to 32ºF to prevent freezing problems.
5. Daily Monitoring
Check the equipment once per day for the warning signs that we detailed above. Look for any signs of water leaks and dripping pipes and get them fixed quickly.
6. Unplug the Equipment
If you’re away from home for the holidays, unplug the system to prevent backflow and frozen pipe problems. The chance of an electrical problem is minimized, and with drained tanks to prevent freezing, the chance of indoor messes is reduced.
7. Shut the Garage Doors
If the water softener is located in the garage, it’s important to use insulation and a space heater to keep the equipment warm. But, these measures are less effective if the garage door is left open. Keep the door shut, and the space will be warmer than 32ºF to prevent freezing problems.
If you want to schedule some essential maintenance or you need to winterize your water softener, contact your local water treatment specialist.