Replacing a water softener is an investment, and you’re certainly not the first person to experience sticker shock. After all, like most appliances, water softener cost varies dramatically, as does water softener quality. You could simply purchase the cheapest unit available, but will that really save you money in the long run? And will it do everything you need? Before you make your final decision, it’s important to consider all the factors that influence water softener cost. Those same factors also affect water softener performance and longevity.

Seeing standing water in your brine tank can be a little disconcerting. Isn’t it supposed to just be salt? Well, that depends. For some households that don’t go through much water, this can be a common occurrence. Although you may need to add a bag of salt in the near future, it’s nothing to cause alarm. However, standing water can also be a sign of a problem. The components that regulate water intake might be allowing the tank to overfill, or water is not being drawn down after regeneration. How can you tell? Let’s troubleshoot.

Here in Minnesota, our water is naturally hard and we deal with a lot of iced-over sidewalks in the winter. To solve both problems, we need salt. But, is there a difference between the salt you put in your water softener and the salt you sprinkle on your driveway and walkway to melt the ice? Can you use one product for both purposes?

Any major appliance in your home can break or stop working at any time, including your water softener. If you’re experiencing an issue with your system, here’s a water softener troubleshooting guide to help you identify the problem and either fix it yourself or call a pro.