In our post, we will answer the most frequently asked question by salt-based water softener owners: how much does it cost to replace resin in water softener? The process won’t be tough as compared to a clean whole water softener.
Besides, there is no fixed amount of resin replacement. However, you can replace the resin bed at home and prevent the professional cost of $150. Read on to have an estimate about the replacement of the resin bed for your water softener.
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Resin In Water Softener System?
The resin bed needs to be replaced after 10 to 15 years. To ensure the correct amount of resin replacement, you have to measure the circumference of the tank by dividing it by 3.14. Therefore, the size of the tank will depend on the number of resins. The number of resins will depend from 0.64 to 2.00 Cubic feet.
Resin Bed Replacement
The resin bed replacement can take three to four hours. You will have professional fees of up to $150. Besides, the resin bed replacement will be the first thing that you need to check before buying a water softener. Also, you have to check the quality of the resin. The salt-based water softeners often require replacement.
You can also rotate the position of the bypass valve. You will have a dial that you can use how to ensure the positioning of the dial. Apart from that, the water softener can easily be disconnected from the electrical or plumbing system.
More than that, you have to check the resin and gravel that need to be dumped out often. Further, you need to ensure the same height positioning, and it will let you insert the resins easily. There won’t be any flow in the water if the positioning varies a lot in the height.
Additionally, you can easily refill the water softener with the new resin. You have to reinstall the valve head. It should be an in-service position. The water softener will be secure to work if there aren’t any issue of leaks.
Additionally, you can ensure that the functioning and setup of the water softener with the help of a professional.
Water Softener Guide For Solutions
To start the troubleshooting, you have to check out the problem with your house’s water softener.
- You have to check that the system should be turned on and the control panel is not blank.
- Now you have to ensure that the manual and settings are correct.
- Ensure that there is enough salt in the brine tank, and the cycle length is perfect as well.
- You have to check that the bypass valve is in the right position.
- Now you have to start the manual regeneration cycle and check the hardness levels in the water as well.
Full of Water / Not Draining
A water softening system that is full of water should have an entry valve, and it should not be too high. The valves that are located too high will cause water not to drain. The pressure of water flow will be decreased in the whole house as well.
You need to check the float valve controls. Ensure that the valves are straight and there is no interruption. Moreover, you have to ensure that the valves are not broken or having disconnection from anywhere. Also, guarantee that the pressure of water meets the requirements of the water softener. Also, you should clean the control valve, drain tubing, and brine injector.
For instance, the high water flow will reduce the brine tank to work completely. In fact, you have to check if the water softener is operating perfectly or not. The brine tank should not be higher than 10 to 12 inches.
Keeps Running Constantly
The water will constantly be running, and it should not be stuck in the regeneration mode. You have to check if the cycling system is working perfectly or not. On the other side, you will have clogged lines in the valve and another injector that can cause constant running flow.
Apart from that, the low water pressure in the house can also be caused by the regeneration mode. You have to check the circuit as well. The broken circuit could be the major cause of this issue.
No Water / Not Enough Water
The water will be functioning in the brine tank only if the resin beads are not filled till the top. You have to check out the water flow and make sure that the water softener is working efficiently. Also, you need to clean all the components, and you will be able to prevent the no water issue if the valves are unclogged.
Discoloured or Brown Water
The discolouration or brown water occurs in the tank when there is a lot of build-up on the magnesium. Plus, you will have the foul resin, and it will be causing the discolouration of the water. In fact, you have to choose a water softener that is not prone to rust. Apart from that, you will have sediment build up in the brine tank, and it will cause yellowish water. It will be disgusting!
Therefore, you have to clean and sterilize the brine tank and ensure that none of the dirt stays inside the tank.
Leaking
The leaking problem often occurs when the brine tank is too old or not so durable. Moreover, you will have a worn rotor that can cause leaking. On the other side, you will have the leaking issue with the improper installation. Plus, you need to fix the cracks to prevent any kind of leaking issue.
Salt Bridge
Salt brightness is one of the common issues that can stop the water softener from working. Also, you will have this issue present in most of the salt-based water softeners.
Additionally, the water softeners come with brine tanks that are filled with salt. But if the water softener is having salt stuck on the bottom, it will stop working. Furthermore, you will have the stoppage if the salt bridge is present in the brine tank. You will not have the brine tank working, and as a result, there won’t be any softening effect in the water.
The salt bridge can be removed by using a broom handle to the bottom of the salt tank. You will have the handle hitting the crust hardly, and you have to prevent the regeneration cycle from stopping. Most of the time, when the salt is broken, regeneration will occur again.
Moreover, you can replace the salt often, and it will provide better functioning as well. For instance, you will have a valve motor display or timer to check how much resin the water softener uses.
Salt Mushing
Salt mushing is another common problem that causes a thick layer on the bottom of the brine tank. The mushing will stop the water flow by going inside the valve. Plus, you will have a stoppage in the water flow. Most importantly, the salt mushing will let the hard water flow through the pipes.
To correct this issue, you have to empty the brine tank. For instance, you have to break up the mush and clear up the valve completely. Also, you have to replace the mush with the new salt instantly after cleaning it.
Water Tastes Too Salty / Using A Lot of Salt
Suppose the water tastes too salty, then you have to check what’s wrong. The water taste will be too salty if the water is frequently regenerating.
- You have to prevent the clogging from the drain hose and replace the hose as well.
- You might need to replace the leaking seals. The replacing won’t be direct.
For instance, you have to check why it is causing the salty output and use any method to resolve it from here.
Causing Low Water Pressure
A water softener will cause low pressure due to the following reasons; check them out!
- Resin beds can be clogged, damaged, or contaminated. You will have a loss in pressure also because of the mushy gel built up due to the contact of chlorine with the resin beads.
- Clogging of resins, build-up of algae, bacteria, and sediment can reduce the water flow as well.
- The high level of iron and other sediments can cause low water pressure. Also, you have to check if the pre-sediment filter doesn’t have any clogging issues because it can stop the water pressure as well.
- Incorrect size of the system can stop the water flow. When the pressure is high, you have to choose a water softener that meets the capacity of the flow. Therefore, choose the appropriate size of the water softener.
- The improper condition of the control valve can cause clogging in the control valve, and you will have a loss in pressure. So you have to replace the control valve as soon as possible to have the right pressure of water.
Thanks For Reading!
Born in the Philippines, Joseph Solis Moved to Canada at age 6. He attended Simon Fraser University and received his Masters’s in Chemistry. His research domains include water filtration, water softening, and overall water treatment.
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