Can Cold Weather Affect Your Water Softener? Insights from a Pentair Water Softening Contractor in Medinah, Illinois

If your water softener suddenly stops working during the coldest months of the year and if your water starts to feel “hard” again, you may want to know if the weather had something to do with it. The truth is that it does in many cases. Cold temperatures can be challenging for a softener, especially if it is installed in an area that is not well-heated.

Below, this Pentair water softening contractor in Medinah, Illinois is going to explain how cold weather can affect your water softener.

Why can cold weather be a problem for a water softener?

Cold weather can be a nuisance for a water softener because a softener holds water in its tanks and pipes. That water can freeze when temperatures get too low. Once water turns to ice, it expands and applies strong pressure on the pipe walls. As a result, those pipes can crack or split open.

Cold temperatures can still impact the softener’s performance even if the water inside the softener does not completely freeze. A softener works by replacing hard minerals with softer ions, and cold water slows that exchange process. This in turn can lower the softener’s capacity and the quality of the softened water.

An experienced Pentair water softening contractor in Medinah, Illinois can troubleshoot and repair these types of problems. So, if you are worried about the cold taking a toll on your water softener, it’s best to contact a local professional. 

How do you know if the cold has damaged your softener?

One of the first signs that your softener is struggling with the cold is frost or ice on the pipes around it. When the water inside those pipes freezes, it expands and presses against the pipe walls. Eventually, it can completely block the flow of water and that is when the softener suddenly stops working.

It is also possible that you noticed hard water coming from your taps again. This can happen because ice inside the softener disrupts or slows the regeneration cycle. This prevents the system from softening water effectively.

Even after the ice melts, the freeze may have already damaged internal components like valves, seals, the resin bed or the brine line. This makes it crucial to check for problems as soon as you suspect cold-related damage.

How can you protect your softener when temperatures drop?

One of the easiest ways to protect your water heater in cold weather is to keep it warm. Wrapping the tank in a blanket or foam cover will retain some heat. Adding insulation around any exposed pipes can also prevent water inside them from freezing. Even basic pipe sleeves or heat tape can be helpful when the temperature drops.

But if your softener is installed in an unheated area like an unfinished basement corner or a garage, it may be safer to shut it down for the season.

You can switch the system to bypass mode to turn off the water entering the softener. Then, drain the tanks and the connecting lines. Once the water is removed, there is nothing inside that can freeze and cause damage. Your local Pentair water softening contractor in Medinah, Illinois can give you more tips to fully winterize your softener.

Looking for a Pentair water softening contractor in Medinah, Illinois?

Has your water softener been running differently this winter? Looking for a professional Pentair water softening contractor in Medinah, Illinois that can fix it? If so, Johnson Water Conditioning is just a call away. Our team is experienced with Pentair systems, and we can help you winterize your softener and troubleshoot any cold-weather-related problems. Contact us today to schedule a service.