Easy Ways to Tell if Your Water Softener Is Working Properly

People who live in areas with hard water high in minerals like calcium and magnesium know that it can be hassle. Along with causing buildup in pipes and faucets, hard water can fade your clothes, dry out your hair and cause your water bills to rise.

The only solution for hard water is installing a water softener, which helps reduce mineral levels in your plumbing system. But as you can imagine, a water softener can’t help your plumbing if it’s not working properly. These are a few of the signs that it’s time to call a professional for water softener repairs in San Antonio, TX:

  • Strange skin film: You may notice something is wrong with your water softener after you step out of the shower or wash your hands. The calcium in hard water can leave a film on your skin, making it feel sticky, dry and itchy.
  • Hard water stains: Spots on dishes or unusual buildup in your sink or shower can result from having too many minerals in your water. That shouldn’t be the case if your water softener is working correctly. A plumber can inspect your water softener, determine the problem and set things straight.
  • Salty water: Although a water softener uses salt to correct the hard water, your water should never actually taste salty. If it does, the softener may be malfunctioning or the settings may be off. Only a plumber will be able to tell for sure.
  • Drop in water pressure: Your water pressure can drop suddenly for a variety of reasons. One common cause is too much mineral buildup in the plumbing system. Regardless of whether your pressure issue stems from the water softener or something else, you’ll need to call a plumber to have your system inspected.
  • Low salt in the brine tank: Finally, a malfunctioning water softener could be the result of too little salt in the brine tank. Most water softeners need the brine tank to be at least half full to work. To avoid this mishap, we recommend setting a reminder to check and fill your brine tank once a month.

How to avoid water softener problems

Fortunately, major water softener repairs in San Antonio, TX are avoidable if you’re diligent. Follow these tips to ensure your water stays soft:

  • Schedule an inspection: We recommend hiring a professional plumber to inspect your water softener. In addition to ensuring your water softener is in tip-top shape, a professional inspection can prevent the need for repairs.
  • Check salt levels: Speaking of repairs, call a plumber as soon as you notice any of the signs discussed above. Water softener problems only get worse as time goes on, which makes them more costly to fix.

Contact Big City Plumbing, LLC to address your issues

Don’t wait around if you think you need water softener repairs in San Antonio, TX—call the pros at Big City Plumbing, LLC. Our team can make any necessary repairs or install a new water softener if yours is at the end of its life.

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