How to Check Softener Salt Levels
April 5, 2013
Hey, Kinetico owners! Do you ever find yourself scratching your head when it comes to filling or replacing the salt in your water softener? How much is too much? How much is too little? Where does it even go? Fret not, your answers await! Straight from our team to you, here is some fast and friendly information on salt management and your Kinetico quality water softener.
1- Locating Your Brine Tank
First thing’s first, locating your brine tank. On a classic Kinetico series water softener, your brine drum will be located alongside the twin resin tanks. These are usually installed in your garage. The drum-shaped brine tank will be larger than the resin tanks and is often tan with a black lid. The brine tank is important because its job is to hold salt or potassium and make brine for regeneration.
2- Checking Your Salt Levels
To check your salt levels, simply remove the lid to your brine tank and take a look. An easy way to remember how to maintain proper salt, or regenerant, levels is to make sure you can never see the water at the bottom of your brine tank. If you can see water when you check your salt levels, its time to add more regenerant. At Kinetico, we also recommend to add salt whenever there is enough room to hold one bag. Only use high quality salts, we recommend the Diamond Crystal brand salt pellets sold at local box stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s. Always use salt pellets and avoid using salt crystals, which can contain dirt and other unknown elements.
3- Adding Salt to Your Brine Tank
There can be complications if you add too much salt. To avoid salt bridging, the buildup and solidification of regenerant that can prevent proper regeneration, only fill your brine tank to the halfway point. This level of salt is sufficient for regeneration without being at risk for salt bridging. If you have trouble with salt bridging, check out the K-Spray Brine system at your local Kinetico.
Kinetico water softeners are both energy and salt efficient, so you won’t have to check on your salt levels too often. But, as they say, knowledge is power! Now, when you notice a change in your soft water, you have the necessary knowledge to locate, examine and replenish your system’s salt levels. Need more in-depth help? Let us know how we can help.
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