During the hot summer months, just like it’s important to get your air conditioner serviced, it’s also essential to get your water softener ready. Water usage increases in the summers with more showers, more clothes to wash after swimming, and extra outdoor cleaning. This causes your water softener to work extra hard and if it does not function properly, you could be left to deal with hard water problems. Let’s understand some common signs that indicate your water softener needs maintenance.
1. Soap Doesn’t Lather
If your soap does not lather well in the water, then it’s a sign that your water softener is not working properly. Soft water makes it easier for soap and shampoo to lather. However, hard water contains excess minerals that interfere with the functioning of soap, so every time you shower, it leaves a soapy residue on your skin that feels hard to wash off. Even detergent’s cleaning power reduces considerably in hard water, so you end up using more detergent to wash clothes properly.
2. Spotty Dishes and Cloudy Glasses
Have you noticed white streaks and spots on washed dishes? These marks which can make your dishes and glasses look as if they are a little dirty, are caused by hard water. The excess minerals in hard water leave behind spots, streaks and a cloudy film on washed dishes and glasses. If your water softener does not soften the water effectively, then you may face such issues.
3. Sudden Drop in Water Pressure
When the water pressure is good, we hardly ever realize how easy it makes everyday tasks. We only realize how frustrating low water pressure is if it drops suddenly. If your water pressure has dropped suddenly, mineral buildup due to hard water could be the reason behind it. Hard water minerals can clog pipes and fixtures if your water softener doesn’t effectively filter out the minerals from the water.
4. Salt Tank Low on Salt or too full
The brine tank of your softener needs the right amount of salt to work properly. If the salt level is too low, the softener cannot regenerate properly. On the other hand, if the salt level is too high, it can result in salt bridges or clogs. It’s a good idea to inspect your brine tank periodically and clear out any buildup to keep your system functioning efficiently.
5. Dry Skin and Stiff Laundry
Soft water is softer on the skin and clothes. If you have noticed that your towels and clothes feel scratchy after washing or your skin feels drier than usual, then it might be a sign that your water softener is not softening the water efficiently and needs servicing.
Get in touch with Kinetico of San Antonio today for services like water softener maintenance and water testing in San Antonio. Our certified technicians can catch early signs of damage, clean out any buildup, and make sure your water stays soft and clean all year long.
