An ion exchange water softener is the only tried and tested method to remove dissolved minerals from your water supply. Once you become used to using softened water, it’s hard to imagine going back to using hard water. For this reason, many people have a water softener installed in a vacation home. Systems that are sporadically used or that are going to be shut down for an entire season need to be prepared for proper storage. In this article, we will explore this topic in more detail to help you make informed choices.
What are the Risks?
Improper storage has some inherent risks that can range from a loss of performance and efficiency up to a complete failure of the water softener system. The main component in the system is the resin media tank which facilitates the ion exchange. This is filled with resin media balls that are charged with sodium or potassium ions. During this exchange, the mineral ions are left on the surface of the resin media. Over time, they will clog the surface which degrades the efficiency of the system.
To deal with this problem, the water softener has a regeneration system which flushes the mineral ions into the drain. This also adds a fresh layer of salt (sodium or potassium) ions to create a charge to attract the mineral ions. This repeating process is necessary to prevent the dissolved mineral ions, such as calcium, manganese and iron from fouling the media. These mineral ions can become lodged in the surface of the beads and if they are not removed, they can cause permanent damage. The timespan of the mineral ion exposure is a major factor when it comes to long-term fouling damage.
So, it’s important to prevent long-term exposure to dissolved hard minerals. If you’re considering a pause in the use of your water softener, we have some useful tips and tricks to protect the equipment. It makes good sense to protect your investment and keep the resin in good condition when you’re ready to bring the system back online.
7 Steps to Prepare for Downtime
When you’re not planning to use the water softener for an extended period of time there are seven steps to prepare the system. They are:
- Force the water softener to completely regenerate the system.
- Add a gallon of extra water to a smaller system.
- Add two gallons of extra water to larger systems.
- Leave the brine tank for at least two hours to give the system time to reach full salt saturation.
- After two hours force a second regeneration cycle, but stop the process when all the brine is drawn from the tank.
- Unplug the power.
- Place the water softener into bypass mode.
When these steps have been completed, the cleaned resin media is stored within the brine solution. The resin media tank has been “pickled” to keep the beads in a stage where any residual hard mineral ions cannot cause long-term fouling issues. In this state, the water softener can be unused safely for up to several months.
How Long Can a Water Softener be Left Unused?
In many cases, a water softener that has been properly prepared can be used even if it’s been out of use for a few years. But, after longer terms of disuse, the equipment may need a resin media replacement because there may be scale deposits that can be removed with regeneration. It’s also advisable to check the seals and backwash valve to ensure that they are working properly. To make these preparations, it’s a good idea to contact your local water treatment specialist.
10 Steps to Prepare a Water Softener for Use
If you want to prepare a water softener for use after a period of storage there are ten steps to follow. They are:
- Restore power to the system.
- Place the water softener into service mode.
- Force a regeneration cycle.
- When the cycle is complete the water softener is ready for use.
- If the water softener has been in storage for a longer period there are some additional steps to take.
- Check the ion exchange resin because it can dry out if it’s not in contact with brine.
- If the resin is dry, it can recover because most media is made from resilient plastic polymer materials.
- Check the surface for mineral or scale deposits that may be left behind after the water evaporated because this material can prevent resin media contact with the brine solution.
- The seals and backwash valves must be checked for corrosion because they may become brittle or seized after storage which can cause leaks.
- If you find any problems contact your local water treatment specialist to service and/or repair the system.
Understanding When to Use a Water Softener
The information in this article will be helpful when you are in full control of preparing the system for long-term storage and setting it up for use again. But, there may be times when you need to start using a water softener that has been stored without your intervention. Here are three things to consider if a water softener has been improperly prepared for storage or you don’t know the status of the system:
1. The System is Turned Off But Not Prepared
Unplugging the water softener will not automatically stop the resin media from working. If any water has been left in the media tank, it can degrade the resin media leading to the formation of scale and mineral deposits. When the system is turned off the resin cannot regenerate which may lead to long-term damage. A water softener can be used in this state, but it’s more likely that the resin media needs to be replaced.
2. Exposure to Heat and Cold
Extreme temperature changes can be damaging to water softener equipment. Before the water softener is used, it should be checked by a water treatment specialist.
3. The Water Softener is in Bypass Mode
If the system is in bypass mode, no water is flowing and the equipment is inactive. This is a good way to stop any activity on the resin media. But, before the system is used it’s advisable to get an inspection to check the condition of the media.
If you need to prepare a water softener for long-term storage or you need to schedule some essential maintenance, contact your local water treatment specialist.