Is It Bad If There Is No Salt Left in My Softener? Insights from a Pentair Water Softening Contractor in Burr Ridge, Illinois

If your water softener’s brine tank is completely dry, is that a problem? Yes, it is. This Pentair water softening contractor in Burr Ridge, Illinois, is going to explain what happens when there is no salt left in your softener.

What’s the point of salt in a water softener?

Inside your softener, there is a tank filled with tiny resin beads. Those beads catch onto the minerals that make water “hard.” 

When the system regenerates, it uses salty water (called brine) to wash all those minerals off the beads and flush them away. But if there is no salt, there is no brine, and the beads can’t recharge.

Your Pentair system will still push water through, but that water will not actually be softened. This is the reason why a professional Pentair water softening contractor in Burr Ridge, Illinois will always recommend keeping salt levels steady. This is one of the easiest ways to make sure you always have soft water.

How will you know when there is no salt left?

When your softener runs out of salt, it does not stop working immediately. For a little while, things might still seem fine because the resin beads hold a small reserve of softening power.

But once the reserve is depleted, you will start to notice a difference in the quality of your water. All those small signs of hard water that your softener was preventing will start coming back.

Pentair softeners can keep you from running out of salt.

One of the benefits of owning a Pentair softener is that it can help you avoid salt problems in the first place.

Many models come with the Easy-iQ controller, which actually monitors how much water your household uses and gives you a reminder when it is time to add salt. Some even send alerts if the system notices a low salt level or an unusual regeneration pattern. These features can be especially useful in busy households where checking the brine tank is not exactly at the top of the to-do list.

By combining that smart monitoring with efficient regeneration cycles, Pentair systems help you use less salt overall and reduce the chance of running empty. 

What should you do if your softener is already out of salt?

What if you notice hard water, and when you check the brine tank, it is completely dry? You can fix it.

First, refill the tank with a good-quality softener salt, like evaporated pellets or solar crystals. Then give it a few hours so the salt can dissolve and form brine. After that, run a manual regeneration cycle.

That process flushes the hardness minerals out of the resin bed and restores your softener to normal.

If your water still feels hard afterward, there might be a salt bridge or a clog inside the tank. In that case, you should call a professional.

Your local Pentair water softening contractor in Burr Ridge, Illinois can inspect your softener, break up any salt buildup, and make sure your controller settings match your household’s water usage. They can also test the water afterward to confirm your hardness levels are back where they should be.

Looking for a Pentair water softening contractor in Burr Ridge, Illinois?

If you are looking for a trusted Pentair water softening contractor in Burr Ridge, Illinois, look no further than Johnson Water Conditioning. Our technicians can inspect your softener, clean your brine tank, and make sure it is calibrated perfectly for your home’s water. Contact us today to learn how we can help.