Wondering if it’s time to replace your water system? Finding that your water isn’t as soft as it used to be? For homes with hard water, water softeners are often the quiet force working behind the scenes. These small but mighty devices can provide a significant boost for day-to-day quality of life, from removing white spots on glassware to keeping laundry fresh and soft.
In this short blog with Weiss-Johnson, let’s break down a few key indicators that it may be time to start thinking about replacing your water softener. Read on to learn more.
#1: Hard Water Issues Are Popping Up Again
Think back to the time before you had your water softener installed. Are you finding yourself dealing with the same issues? If you’re getting deja vu of soap scum in the shower, sediment build-up in your kettle, and needing to re-wash dishes, it may be time to upgrade your water softening system.
Some of these signs include:
- White spots on dishes
- Stiff or dry laundry
- Dry hair and skin
If you’re noticing any of these issues more often than before, it may indicate your aging water softener is failing.
#2: It’s Over 12 Years Old
Just like other home appliances, water softeners also have a lifespan. Water softeners work by passing hard water through the resin tank, where minerals are removed via an ion-exchange process before regeneration. But once these systems age, their components wear down and lose the ability to soften water.
While it varies by model, homeowners can typically expect their water softener to last between 10 to 15 years. Once it reaches around year 10, we recommend keeping a closer eye on your home’s water quality and for any signs that the system is no longer working as well as it once did.
If you’re unsure of how old your water softening system is, it’s easy to find out. Simply take a look at the manufacturer’s label on the system, which contains the manufacturer date or the specific model information.
#3: It Utilizes Time-Based Regeneration
When modern water softeners were first introduced nearly 100 years ago, they were designed to use mechanical timers. These mechanical timers were integrated into the system and programmed to regenerate at fixed intervals.
In the years since, modern water softener systems have developed to use demand-based systems instead. These are more sophisticated systems that instead use real-time tracking to monitor exactly how much water is passed through. They’re able to regenerate based on actual usage, which in turn saves both salt and water.
Most water softening systems found today use demand-based systems, but if you’re still on a time-based model, an upgrade is often a smart choice.
#4: You’re Noticing More Leaks & Damage
As water softeners age, they naturally experience more wear and tear. These issues can be minor wear-and-tear, such as degraded valve seals and broken safety valves in the brine tank. Other problems, like a cracked brine tank, are more severe and don’t have a safe or efficient fix.
Many of these issues only warrant a one-time repair. But if you’re finding yourself needing your professional plumber on speed dial, a replacement may need to be in order. Recurring or expensive issues may indicate your water softening system is nearing the end of its service life.
Water You Can Depend On with Weiss-Johnson
If your water softener is starting to struggle, it may be time to take a closer look. That’s where Weiss-Johnson comes in, with end-to-end plumbing support for your home. Get in touch with us to book your water softener upgrade and see why we’ve serviced over 100,000 satisfied customers—and counting!
