QA

Question: How To Adjust Water Softener Dials

How do I adjust the dial on my water softener?

Set the water softener clock: Usually the “clock dial” is adjusted by lifting it up and turning it to the proper position, or turning a dial to line up the correct hour of the day with an indicator arrow (lower right in our photo).

How do I adjust my water softener to use less salt?

Another method for adjusting the salt dose or the amount of salt used during a water conditioner backwash/regeneration cycle [on some water softener models] involves adjusting the float level inside the brine tank. Explanation of this feature has moved to WATER SOFTENER BRINE TANK FLOAT LEVEL ADJUSTMENT.

What do the numbers mean on my water softener?

Once you test your water and get your number, see where your water quality falls using the guide below: 0–3: If your hard water test strip indicates that your water is between 0–3 grains per gallon, your water doesn’t require softening. 3–7: Water between 3–7 gpg is moderately hard, causing spotty dishes and dry skin.

How do I adjust the hardness on my water softener?

Press the UP or DOWN buttons to set your water hardness number. NOTE: If your water supply contains iron, compensate for it by adding to the water hardness number. For example, assume your water is 20 gpg hard and contains 2 ppm iron. Add 5 to the hardness number for each 1 ppm or iron.

How do I know what water softener setting to use?

Use the following formula to calculate the proper size: Multiply the number of people in your family times 70 (gallons of water used per day, national average). Multiply the answer by your water hardness in grains per gallon (to convert mg/l or ppm to grains, divide by 17.1).

What happens if your water softener is set to high?

Soft water provided by a utility does not need additional softening and may cause corrosion issues for your home. Make sure the softener is set to the hardness of your water supply. If the hardness is set too high, the softener will cost more to operate and waste water, costing you extra money.

Can you put too much salt in a water softener?

Adding too much salt to your water quality softener can cause salt “bridging,” or a buildup and solidification of regenerant. This buildup can prevent your system from regenerating properly.

What is a good number for water hardness?

The general rule of thumb is to drink clean water, with hardness being somewhere in the middle of soft and hard, 60 mg/L to 120 mg/L. Some also advise to not go beyond 170 mg/L, which indicates very high levels of calcium and magnesium.

What is a normal water hardness level?

Less than 60 mg/L is considered soft. Between 60 and 120 mg/L is considered medium hard. Between 120 and 180 mg/L is considered hard. More than 180 mg/L is considered very hard.

Is 25 ppm hard water?

You can convert among water hardness measures. Water with hardness of 25 ppm = 25 mg. of hardness-causing minerals per liter of water.

Can softened water be too soft?

Too soft water will be aggressive to your plumbing. Softened water by cation exchange replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium, which reduces lifelong supplemental calcium and magnesium intake with lifelong extra unnecessary sodium intake.

How many gallons should I set my water softener to?

Now Calculate the Daily Softening Requirement Hardness: 10 grains per gallon. Daily Water Use: 4 People X 75 Gallons per day = 300 gallons per day. Daily Softening Requirement = 10 grains per gallon X 300 gallons per day = 3000 grains per day.

What should my salt level be in my water softener?

We recommend keeping your brine tank at least one-quarter full of salt at all times and no more than 4-6 inches from the top in order to maintain optimal performance. Also, make sure that the salt level always remains a few inches above the water level.

What hardness should soft water be?

A water hardness of 0 to 3 gpg is soft water, 3 to 7 gpg is moderately hard and 7 to 11 gpg is considered hard. Anything more than 11 is considered very hard.

How do I know if my water softener is too high?

How To Tell If Your Water Softener Is Working: The Soap Test. Another easy way to check for a malfunctioning water softener is to see if your soap lathers and bubbles. Pure liquid soap (such as Castille) will do this when mixed with soft water. If the water is hard, the same soap won’t function properly.

How do I know if my water is too soft?

How can you tell if water is hard or soft? Feeling a film on your hands after washing them. This is caused by the soap reacting with calcium to form soap scum. Spots. These can appear on glasses and silverware coming out of the dishwasher. Mineral stains. Less water pressure in your home.

How long does a 40 lb bag of water softener salt last?

Your salt consumption will depend on the level of water hardness (minerals in your water) and the amount of water your household consumes. The average family of four with hard water (7-10 grains per gallon hardness level) will use about one 40-lb bag of salt each month.

What if water softener runs out of salt?

Don’t worry if you completely run out of salt. All that will happen is that you’ll have hard water again and you’ll stop noticing the benefits of soft water. As soon as you fill the salt chamber again, your softened water will be back.