Plumbing Tips | September 14, 2022

Why You Have Salty Water in Your Home and How to Fix It

Why You Have Salty Water in Your Home and How to Fix It

Salty water can often be the product of a water softener where something just isn’t quite right. In order to fix this problem, it’s probably best to ask yourself, “How long has it been since I have taken the right steps to clean this?” 

That’s right, you need to be cleaning it at least twice a year. Let’s go over what might be causing your water softener to be producing salty water along with the best ways to clean your water softener. 

Cleaning the Venturi Valve and Screen 

This is a crucial part to keeping up with maintenance on your water softener. Salty water can be a direct indicator that you probably need to clean this. If things like sand, dirt, etc. build up on this, then it will not be able to filter correctly. 

The venturi and nozzle’s main job is to suction the brine from the brine tank into the resin tank. If it’s not clean, your softener won’t be creating soft water properly and you can be left with salty water. 

You can easily clean this part of your water softener by disassembling the parts and using warm water, soap, and a toothbrush. 

Cleaning the valve and screen is an important part of maintenance for your water softener. If you have salty water, clean this!
Cleaning the valve and screen is an important part of maintenance for your water softener. If you have salty water, clean this!

Water Softener Tank Cleaner

There is a water softener tank cleaner that you can use to pour into your brine well. This will help keep your water softener cleaner and prevent heavy build up. You can use this cleaner around every 4 months. 

You want to wait until the salt levels are low in your softener to do this and then pour 16 oz. of cleaner into your brine well. After pouring in the cleaner, close the brine well and regenerate your water softener. Depending on the type you have will determine how long it will take to regenerate. This should help tremendously with your salty water issue.

Here is the brine well inside the water softener. You can pour your cleaner directly in to that.
Here is the brine well inside the water softener. You can pour your cleaner directly in to that.

Breaking a Salt Bridge 

A salt bridge can form in the brine tank usually due to high humidity or using the wrong kind of salt for your softener. When salt builds up in the tank and makes a “bridge,” the salt separates from the water underneath and is not able to dissolve to make a brine. 

If the brine cannot be made, then the resin bed cannot regenerate soft water for you. It will just be hard water. This essentially gives you the opposite problem of a salty water issue, but salt bridges are common in a lot of households.

Final Thoughts 

In conclusion, if you find that you have salty water in your home, it is most likely because of your water softener. Taking the steps to clean it periodically is the best way to solve this issue. 

The ways you can clean your water softener are actually quite simple. Just follow a few simple steps and you will have it done in no time. 

Call 1-Tom-Plumber 

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing, drain cleaning, or excavation service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. 

We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.

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