In areas with hard water, like Phoenix, Arizona, water softeners are an essential investment.

What about the lifespan of a water softener? Do you have any suggestions for extending its duration?

Today, we’ll go further into these issues and others to help you understand what water softener maintenance includes.

What Is the Lifespan of a Water Softener?

Your water softening system should last for 20 years if it is properly maintained.

In comparison to most other American cities, Phoenix has very hard water, thus that figure is an estimate for a water softener there.

The average lifetime of a water softener is 20 years, yet if you live in an area with softer water, it’s likely that it may last much longer.

But it doesn’t imply you can just leave your water softener running for 20 years; they need regular upkeep and attention.

Maintenance Of A Water Softener

How long should a water softener survive now that we’ve provided an answer to that question? Let’s examine maintenance, which is the most important component in a machine’s longevity.

By eliminating calcium and magnesium ions together with a tiny quantity of sodium ions, water softeners function.

The exchange is conducted as the hard water flows past resin beads, which are used to do this.

Eventually, the calcium and magnesium ions overwhelm the beads to the point that the tank has to be renewed.

This naturally occurring mechanism removes those mineral ions and adds sodium ions back to the beads.

How Long Does The Resin In Water Softeners Last?

The resin beads can only be regenerated so many times before they start to lose their potency, according to common sense.

Fortunately for you, a water softener’s lifetime of 20 years normally prevents it from happening.

However, the lifetime of the water softener resin may be considerably shortened if the water in your area contains high levels of chlorine or iron.

If you live in Phoenix, Arizona, American Home Water & Air is your go-to source for water softener advice.

You can still replace the beads without throwing away the whole unit, however.

If the machine has to renew every day, the resin beads are worn out; for a family of four, a machine with good resin beads should only need regeneration roughly once every 12,000 gallons.

Your water softener has more parts than simply resin beads, however.

Other elements, like salt, need more frequent care.

How Long Does Salt Used In Water Softeners Last?

Salt must be added to the brine tank section of your water softener in order for the resin beads to get sodium ions.

Typically, this takes place in a tank that is totally different from the one holding the beads.

Every two to three months, you’ll need to replenish the salt.

You may get this salt at your neighborhood grocery shop in either coarse or pellet form.

How long does a bag of water softener salt last, to be more precise? Every refilling cycle, two 40-pound bags should be used.

We sell a water softener called the Patriot that has a sophisticated regeneration mechanism that uses around 50% less salt.

Servicing

The greatest HVAC and water experts in Phoenix, Arizona, are those that American Home Water & Air is pleased to hire.

We have discussed the water softener maintenance needs for both long-term use and short-term use.

Periodic maintenance falls in the center of that spectrum.

You can do the majority of water softener maintenance tasks on your own.

Expert treatment is needed for rarer, more complex problems.

Clean the brine tank once a year in the case of the former.

The pollutants in salt might accumulate in your brine tank.

Additionally, you should clean out the resin bed once a year with a rust stain remover like Iron Out.

The expenditures incurred by these behaviors are quite little.

Even after replacing the resin beads and replenishing the brine tank, if your water softener is still not effectively filtering your water, it may be time to call a professional for maintenance.

You are in excellent hands while working with American Home Water & Air.

A 10-year parts and labor guarantee is included with our President water softener.

A five year warranty is included with the Patriot, which is still sufficient.

You can anticipate years of trouble-free usage from any machine.

You’ll be glad to hear that American Home Water & Air does not pay technicians based on commission, even if you need service after your warranty has expired.

They have an incentive to do the task effectively and according to your preferences.

Quality water softeners like the ones we provide don’t need much further maintenance outside what we’ve covered in this part on service.

Typical Symptoms Your Water Softener Is Not Working

How long does salt stay in a water softener? and How long does a water softener last? are just a few of the concerns we’ve addressed.

But let’s now examine some blatant indicators that something is wrong.

These consist of:

  • Crusty Pipes: If this is the case, your water softening system is not doing its job properly. The minerals that are not being effectively filtered are the crusty material.
  • Why Soap Doesn’t Lather: Properly softened water enables soap and water to interact chemically, causing soap to lather. Your softener is not functioning correctly if your soap does not lather and is thus difficult to wash off your skin.
  • Changes in the Taste of Your Water: Hard and soft water have quite different tastes. Some people call it “smoother.” If you drink water on a regular basis, you can hardly overlook the flavor of it altering.

These signs often mean that you just need to add salt to your brine tank or, in the worst case scenario, replace the resin beads.

Contact a professional if the problem still exists despite your self-help efforts.

Conclusion

How long should a water softener last? should be an obvious question at this point – around 20 years.

With the right care, the user-serviceable components of your water softener may be simply achieved.

We really hope you will choose American Home Water & Air if you reside in Phoenix and are in the process of installing a new water softener.

We’ll be pleased to provide you advice on how to make the most of your specific water softener.

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Written by Bob Matsuoka
Bob Matsuoka is a blogger and founder of RVing Beginner blog. He has been blogging for over five years, writing about his own family’s RV adventures, tips for people who are interested in buying an RV or taking their family on an adventure by RV.