Just like a car needs oil changes to keep running smoothly, your water softener also benefits from routine maintenance. By following our helpful general maintenance tips below, you can help your unit perform better and last longer. Keep your soft water system in top shape!
Adding Salt
We recommend filling the salt tank anywhere between levels 2 to 5 on the brinewell (black tubing inside the unit with the numbers 1-8 on it.) So about 1/4 to 1/2 full with a water softening salt. You'll want to make sure you monitor the salt in your unit. You always want to have it between levels 2 and 5. To learn more, visit our Adding Salt to the Tank article.
Prevent Salt Bridging
This is something that occurs most often in high-moisture environments, or from overfilling the salt tank. It can also occur if the softener is not used often between recharges. You'll want to routinely check for bridging by pushing a rounded-end tool (a broom or something similar) into the salt in several spots, making sure the salt is loose and is able to move around. To learn more, visit our Salt Bridge / Block article.
Clean the Venturi and Drain Hose
You'll want to clean both the venturi and drain hose every year to reduce the risk of any clogging from debris that may happen. For a video demo and written steps on how to do this, visit our Cleaning the Venturi and Cleaning the Drain Hose articles.
Use Rheem Water Softener Cleanser
We recommend using water softener cleanser in your system every 4 months. This will help your system work at peak performance. The liquid solution is designed to maximize your softener's efficiency by reducing contaminants, iron, and scale buildup inside your system. For directions on use, visit our Rheem Water Softener Cleanser article.
Ensure Your Water Softener is Working
It's important to make sure your water softener is performing correctly. There are a few simple checks you can do. These include properly programming the softener as well as routinely checking water flow, salt, and water levels in the tank. Check out our article How Do I Know If My Softener Is Working?