How often do I need to add salt to a water softener?

Most households add salt every four to eight weeks. Check the salt level in the brine tank monthly. The salt should always be above the water level inside the tank. A family of four with very hard Florida water may go through 40 to 80 pounds of salt per month.

Is softened water safe to drink?

Yes, for most people. The sodium added by ion exchange is minimal. A typical glass of softened water contains less sodium than a slice of bread. People on very strict low-sodium diets may prefer to install a separate drinking water line that bypasses the softener.

What type of salt should I use in my water softener?

Solar salt crystals or evaporated salt pellets both work. Evaporated pellets are more pure and leave less residue in the brine tank. Avoid rock salt, which contains impurities that build up in the tank and reduce efficiency over time.

Why is my water still hard after installing a softener?

The softener may be undersized for your water hardness or household demand. The resin could be exhausted if the system has not been regenerating properly. A bypassed or stuck bypass valve lets hard water flow around the softener. Low salt in the brine tank also prevents proper regeneration.

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Water Softeners in Florida

Why does Florida have such hard water?

The Floridan Aquifer runs through massive limestone formations. As water filters through that rock, it absorbs calcium and magnesium. By the time it reaches your tap, Florida water often tests above 15 grains per gallon of hardness. That is classified as very hard. Hard water leaves white scale deposits on faucets, showerheads, and glass shower doors. It spots your dishes in the dishwasher.

It makes soap and shampoo harder to lather and rinse. Over time, scale builds up inside your water heater, reducing efficiency and shortening its life. It coats the inside of your pipes, gradually restricting water flow. Homes in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Stuart, and Indiantown consistently test among the hardest water in the state. But even municipal water in Melbourne and Jupiter carries enough hardness to cause problems..

How does a water softener work?

Ion exchange. Hard water flows through a tank filled with resin beads that are coated with sodium or potassium ions. The resin attracts calcium and magnesium ions from the water and releases sodium or potassium ions in their place. The result is soft water that does not form scale. When the resin beads are saturated with hardness minerals, the system regenerates by flushing the beads with a brine solution from the salt tank.

The calcium and magnesium wash down the drain and the beads recharge for the next cycle. Modern water softeners do this automatically based on your water usage. High-efficiency models use less salt and less water during regeneration. We size the system to match your household demand and incoming water hardness for optimal performance..

What size water softener do I need?

Sizing depends on two numbers. Your daily water usage and your water hardness level. A family of four using 300 gallons per day with 20 grains per gallon hardness needs to remove 6,000 grains of hardness daily. We multiply that by the days between regeneration cycles to determine the system capacity. A 48,000-grain softener handles most four-person Florida households with room to spare.

Larger families or homes with very hard water may need a 64,000-grain unit. Undersizing means the softener regenerates too often, wasting salt and water. Oversizing wastes money on a larger unit than necessary. We test your water, calculate the demand, and recommend the right size. No guesswork..

Where do you install water softeners in Florida?

We install water softeners in homes and businesses across Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Northern Palm Beach counties. Hard water affects virtually every property in our service area.

From Melbourne to Jupiter, our installation teams are ready to help. Call (772) 200-2452 for a free water hardness test and softener recommendation..

Frequently Asked Questions

DIY Tips

When to Call a Pro

The softener is not regenerating on schedule or at all

You notice hard water symptoms returning despite salt being in the tank

Water is overflowing from the brine tank onto the floor

The softener control valve is stuck or displays an error

You need a new softener sized and installed for your household

Call (772) 200-2452

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Water Softeners