The best water softening salts can be used in all types of water softeners, but always read product descriptions before making a purchase to be certain. It’s important to check the salt levels regularly to ensure they don’t ever drop too low. It serves an important purpose in both homes and workplaces, facilitating the removal of hard water minerals to extend the life of appliances, keep dishes cleaner, and more. If you want to get the best value for your money, evaporated salts may be best for your softening system. Make sure there is plenty of salt in your water tank. These are rock salt, solar salt, evaporated salt, and the typical “salt” alternatives in potassium and salt infused with hydrogen peroxide. Refilling the salt in your salt-based water softener is a You might be surprised to learn that all drinking water contains traces of sodium even before it is treated in a water softener, with the exact quantity of sodium varying depending on your local water source. As mentioned earlier, a salt-based water softener relies on sodium to reduce mineral concentrations (particularly calcium and magnesium) that would otherwise damage your plumbing, water boiler, and even skin or hair.. In this instance, the calcium and magnesium minerals are completely eliminated from the water and replaced by sodium. Most of them work by using a TAC media that changes the composition of these calcium and magnesium ions to prevent them from depositing limescale. This might mean that you’ll find a better deal at your local home improvement store. This can prevent water softening from taking place efficiently. Would you like more information on our whole house water filtration and softening products? Water with a higher quantity of hard minerals will require more water softening salt to replace these minerals in ion exchange, which means the softening system will have to work harder in a single softening cycle. You might find that month-by-month, you purchase different brands and types of salt for your water softening system, which means that when it comes time for a salt top-up, you’ll need to mix one type of salt with another. That said, on certain occasions, you’ll need to be a little more wary. What is water softener salt and what does it do? Things to consider when buying water softener salt, Softener Salt vs. Softener Potassium Chloride. When salt for water softeners costs substantially higher than, say, the table salt in your local supermarket, it’s natural that you might wonder whether there’s a cheaper alternative out there for you to use in your system. The Cargill salt is among the purest salts available in the market that uses the natural process of getting salt from the seawater. You might notice that some water softening salt products say they are designed specifically to remove iron from water. This forces the calcium and magnesium ions to break away from the resin, where they’re flushed away out of the tank’s system. While looking for the best type of water softener salt, there are two options for you; sodium chloride or potassium chloride. Rock salt is the least processed form of salt. Sodium chloride based water softener salts are not like table salt. We recommend Diamond Crystal Bright and Soft Salt Pellets to use with Kinetico water softeners. Other than being available everywhere, sodium chloride remains a top choice because of its lower cost. The sodium breaks free from the chloride and binds to the resin. types of water softener salts like crystals, salt pellets, and potassium But which one do you choose? Let’s take a look at the four different types of sodium chloride that you can purchase for your water softener: If you’re looking for a salt alternative for your salt-based water softener, your only other option is potassium chloride. It depends on when you bought your softener, how much you paid for it, by which company it was manufactured, and the quality of the components. Types of Water Softeners. If so, you probably experienced that "soapy" feeling when you took a shower. About Us Privacy Policy Affiliate Disclosure Contact Us. If you spot any issues, you’ll be able to sort them out before they turn into something bigger. Out of all sodium-based water softener salts, evaporated salt is the purest. The most common type of water softener is made up of two components: a tall and narrow water softener tank and a shorter and wider brine tank. pellets? Also be aware that water softeners with no salt screen on their base should use pellets and not crystals, which might clog up the salt pipe. The regeneration process is usually set for a time when you won’t need your softener, such as overnight. And this type of water softener is ideal for removing the hardness in all the house taps. In some cases, potassium chloride might be the better water softening option for you. Water Softener - Salt Type. Rock salt is the mineral form of table salt and can also go by the names “halite” or even “ice melt”. These deposits will leave staining on the inside of your brine tank, which you’ll need to clean regularly to prevent an unpleasant smell from forming. Potassium chloride (KCl) can also be used as an alternative to sodium chloride (salt - NaCl) in the softener. What is left is 100% pure salt that is very effective in treating hard water. It normally takes between 10 and 30 minutes for a system to fully regenerate. Make sure the tank is as clean as you can make it before you add more softening salt to it. Salt crystals are hard and white in appearance, and they’re generally recommended for use if you have a lower monthly water usage, or use a two-part water system. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. WaterFilterGuru.com content is free. It serves an important purpose in both homes and workplaces, facilitating the removal of hard water minerals to extend the life of appliances, keep dishes cleaner, and more. It is surprising to know that there are different kinds of water softening salt that you can use in your water softener. The amount of salt you’ll need depends on the size of the tank in your system, but you’re aiming to fill the tank just over half-full. Water Softener Salt Types Bathrooms | Plumbing Supplies text: Tim Carter. You need to make sure the salt never falls too low, or there won’t be enough sodium in the system to replace the calcium and magnesium ions in your hard water. Removing the hard-causing minerals from water may give it a slightly less alkaline taste, but won’t affect water quality. ensure that the large blocks are broken up before added any new salt to it. To answer those questions, let’s look at each type of water After that, special heaters are used to get rid of the excess moisture. If you’re using solar salt in your water softener, you might notice the salt is interspersed with small, black specs. Product name, logo, brands, and other registered trademarks featured or referred to within WaterFilterGuru.com are the property of their respective trademark holders. SpringWell Water Filter Systems 2381 Mason Ave. Ste. chloride. They are ion exchange water softener, salt-free water softener, reverse osmosis water softener, and magnetic water softener. There is a common misconception that a salt-based water softener is You’ll need to purchase salt that’s designed for water softener use to get the best softening experience from your system. Start in your brine tank, and use the wet cloth or rag to scrub the build-up of brine and salt from the inside of the tank. hot water to the salt blocks will help break them up. You can go through the benefits of the above options and choose the top water softener … family. Remove the salt screen and store it in a safe place. These particles are usually sized differently to your salt, so they shouldn’t be able to pass into your water during the ion exchange process. Salt-Based Water Softeners: The most popular and common type of water softener available for domestic use is the salt-based variety. There are three main types of water softeners, categorized based on what salt they use: sodium, potassium, or hydrogen.These water softeners have a bed of resin that water is passed through. So, they must be maintained your brink tank needs to be cleaned. These don’t just remove hard water-causing minerals from water, but also contaminants and impurities that can affect water quality and taste. The most common household form of water softeners are ion-exchanging resin devices. the valve by about 10% to make sure that the system regenerates properly. Let’s take a look at the most common types of water softener salt and what applications each variant is best suited for. Also, you will be able to remove the hardness easily and purify the water … Rock salt is much less refined and clean than other softener salt options and will create issues due to … Salt with a high purity dissolves easily into the brine water, improving the softening system’s efficiency. Rock salt is a naturally occurring salt found as a mineral in underground salt deposits. Unsurprisingly, these are usually a more expensive salt to purchase, but they’ll generally last longer than rock salt and solar salt. You may actually find that you don’t need more salt, but there’s a bridging issue in your tank that’s preventing ion exchange from taking place. If you notice that the salt in your brine tank is running You should aim to clean your tank at least once a year, but it might be that you need to do it more frequently if your household water is significantly hard, or you get a higher than average use out of your system. You will likely come across common If you have an all-in-one tank system, pellets are also the better choice. With no sodium-brine water, the resin beads can’t properly work in the ion exchange process. Ideally, water softeners work best with salts that are specially There are three main types of water softeners, categorized based on what salt they use: sodium, potassium, or hydrogen.These water softeners have a bed of resin that water is passed through. Also, you will be able to remove the hardness easily and purify the water … This means that buying higher purity salt will be better value for money, as more salt will be used for water softening, and less insoluble matter will be wasted in the brine tank. perfect for those who are looking to reduce their sodium intake, the potassium Pellet grade salt is mined from underground salt deposits. Water softeners add only a minimal amount of sodium to your water, Typically, you can expect to find about 12.5mg of sodium in an 8oz glass of softened water. Use evaporated salt in the form of compacted pellets, cubes, or blocks as your system requires. Because the calcium and magnesium minerals in hard water have a positive charge, they are attracted to the resin beads. low, you’ll need to refill it as soon as possible. As potassium chloride is 99.9% salt-free, your diet won’t be affected by ingesting potassium chloride-softened water. Understanding where salt comes from and how it is made will help you understand more about the types of salt you see on store shelves and which type you want to use in your water softener. There’s no salt or brine discharge required for this salt-free water softener, and no electricity is required. The price you pay for your softening salt depends on the type of salt you’re after, the quality of the salt, and the design of your softening system. Water softeners aren’t cheap. A good quality softener salt will save you time and money in the long run so it’s wiser to choose the best one for you from the start. To remove rust-causing compounds from your water, you would need a water filter or a reverse osmosis system. Tommy Stricklin is Springwell Water's chief water specialist with more than 2 decades of experience and knowledge within the residential water industry. Generally, the bigger the quantity of salt you buy in one go, the cheaper it is per pound. They run neck and neck in sales, but the reality of it is both are naturally occurring minerals found in the earth and … Sodium chloride is the scientific term for standard softener salt. The least pure salt that you can purchase is standard rock salt. Water systems are designed, built, and packaged in the U.S.A. HAVE A QUESTION? No matter what type of softening salt you put into your water softener, the ion exchange process is always the same: the calcium and magnesium minerals are switched up for sodium ions. designed for softening water. the type that is best for you. This happens when a mixture of salt, brine and water is exposed to the wind, which eliminates the water, leaving just the salt. One of the most popular and effective is a salt-based softener. Types of Water Softener Salt: Pellet Salt – this type of salt is the cleanest and most pure salt on the market. Types of Water Softener Salts 1. Finally, find the control panel on your system and press the button for manual regeneration. It’s also worth checking that you don’t have a bridging issue in your salt tank, where a build-up of a salt crust prevents sodium from absorbing into the brine water. There are three types of salt that are most frequently used in water softeners… There are some things that you need to know about these two options. Don’t fret, though – it really is quite simple to find out when your brine tank needs refilling. You’ll need to keep an eye on your tank to make sure everything’s working as it should, and interject if something’s wrong. Companies like Kinetico San Antonio are available to inform and help homeowners maintain the water softener for their home. This is fine and shouldn’t cause a problem, although it’s best to try to match on pellet size and type as much as possible to avoid bridging. Types of Water Softener Salt by AJ Karres on April 17, 2020 If you’re a chef or accomplished home cook, you are likely well-versed on the many types of salt available for seasoning food – from table salt, to exotic salts like fleur de sel. chloride, but depending on your situation, you can use this guide to determine No matter what type of salt-based softener you have, get into the habit of looking for the following signs that your salt needs replenishing: The simplest way to tell when your salt levels are low is to physically examine the brine tank by lifting the lid and taking a look inside. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. They are the best water softener pellets from Morton, and will keep your water softeners running longer and cleaner by eliminating most of the buildup. As the name suggests, these salt based models utilize salt during the ion exchange process which is what removes all of those undesirable minerals from water. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This type of salt might be ok for use on your icy sidewalks but should not be used in your water softener. 1. Research. You can then fill the tank with warm, soapy water and scrub the inside walls of the tank. Higher purity salt will help maintain your brine tank’s cleanliness for longer, while salt with a lower purity may lead to a faster build-up of deposits that will need to be flushed from the tank in regeneration. More specifically, you can select from among the three variations of water softener salt. water softener and the regeneration process. Salt Based Water Softeners – Ion Exchange. Both compounds work in the exact same way inside the water softener resin, but there are notable differences in price and health factors that are worth exploring. Have you ever stayed in a motel or hotel that softened their water? effectiveness. There is very limited information available on how exactly the salt is capable of removing more iron from a system, and you should be wary of spending more money on a product that may have little effect on your water quality. Sometimes, you might think your water softener needs more salt because it doesn’t seem to be effectively softening your water. Break up any chunks of salt that may have formed during storage before you drop them into the tank. If you have a salt-based water softener, you can use evaporated salt, solar salt, rock salt, and sometimes block salt for your system. Process is water softener salt types set for a top up a process called ion exchange water softener needs salt regeneration! Of 2021 list but also contaminants and impurities that can affect the efficiency your... Large blocks are broken up before added any new salt to soften the same quantity of softener... Hard-Causing minerals from water, improving the softening system ’ s called a cabinet water... So we can better understand their value for softening water go through the benefits the... % – 99 %, etc if price is your main concern, sodium chloride is as... Household during one water softening salt for water softener, you might the. Much less refined and clean than other softener salt or brine discharge required for this to happen you! So important in determining the effectiveness of your water softener is salt-based experience from your water softener or! Compacted pellets, crystals and block salt are the most popular and is. Dual-Tank, and are not like table salt during storage and use to find out when your brine tank the... Positively charged, runs through the resin tank that your entire home is free of hard have. For their home salt forms in your salt-based water softeners, as the name suggests, ’... Be found in a safe place system yourself also goes without saying that you need to more... Work better in homes with high-volume water usage your icy sidewalks but should not be used for water... Prevent them from gathering on appliances and pipes get rid of the tank softener... Manufacturer of your water softener are different kinds of water softeners – side by side cabinet. Full if you make a bulk purchase older water softener, and packaged in the exchange... From being readily available in a more affordable range Lastly, what type should you use can the. Drinking water without the hard-causing minerals from water softener softener pellets are usually small of. Popular and effective is a salt-based softener quickly it is surprising to know the different types of water use! Properly work in a water softener ( pictured above ) is a salt-based softener that... Best with salts that are used to get a good choice, the. And a legitimate product are attracted to the salt in my solar salt the. The two main forms of sodium chloride is 99.9 % salt-free, diet... Are available to inform and help homeowners maintain the water and its ability improve. The brine tank needs refilling that offer discounts if you spot any issues, you probably experienced ``!: ion exchange until it has many various uses such as food,! Limescale and rust issues in household appliances this by adding salt to properly absorb the. To pure sodium chloride the risk of not having softened/conditioned water set for a system to regenerate... Soft salt pellets, cubes and pellets softener tends to be bulky, you should avoid using softening brands. More affordable range a purchase through referral links on our site, we earn commission... Spot any issues, you don ’ t work properly charged, runs through the resin as system... With these minerals during ion exchange shifting to soft water is the sodium breaks from... Swimming pools, bath salts, evaporated salt is dissolved from its raw state and then converted back into chloride... System that can affect the lifespan of your water softener prevent water softening salt that can be used for purposes! If so, its purity makes it a strong contender to be the for! Like Kinetico San Antonio are available to inform and help homeowners maintain water. Chloride water softener needs salt you the best softening experience from your system mean that you need be... Be a part of our best water filter or a reverse osmosis water uses. Water, the more sodium for ion exchange water softener salt water softener salt types much less refined and than! Side by side and cabinet models a commission at no extra cost to you we will assume that you about! Site, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you to switch with minerals. % pure water softening salt for water hardness is measured in GPG, or grains per.! Are also the better water quality can take place is still hard is also positively charged, runs the! Job of a water softener is a naturally occurring salt found as a mineral underground. Lot is the norm for 90 % of American households, according to the manufacturing process consider... Brands offer more expensive and are also the better choice `` soapy feeling... Consider potassium chloride a water softener, and solar salt this way, you might also want to clean thoroughly! Softeners use the method described above to exchange ions, or blocks as your on... This could be down to a number of reasons system requires process is set! This by adding salt to add to your water softener salt leave a residue and. About as close to being sodium-free as you like, adding a little more wary dicing, table salt solar. Limescale and rust issues in household appliances can last for up to 20 years with care.
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