Home water softeners
 

Our house is 20yrs old. We live in the country and have a well. We have a water softening system in the basement that consists of two black cylinders about 10" in diameter and 48" or so tall and a plastic 'bin' for salt tablets.

How long do these systems last before needing replacement?

They are very simple systems. The black cylinders are usually full of a plastic resin beads. The water runs through the beads and the minerals stick to the beads, filtering the water. The softener is recycled, filling the beads with salt water to clean the beads of minerals. This brine is flushed down the drain with the minerals and the softener is returned to service.

Over time the resin can become clogged with minerals that the brine doesn't clean. You can buy a powder that is added to the salt that will restore/clean the resin. Sears used to sell it, as does Culligan (expensive). I believe Iron Out (available in the laundry isle at the grocery) is the same stuff. If you have heavy iron in your water, you can add it in layers in the salt tank to provide continuous cleaning. There are directions on the container.

Also, the seals in the softener valve body can wear out. Search online for a refresh kit and do the rebuild DIY. You can save big $.

The softener in my summer cottage is 22 years old. It only gets used in the summer, but the water is very hard. The softener in my house is 15yrs old. I just rebuild the valve body last year and it works like new.

Thanks Evan. Will see who the manufacturer is/was and see what I can find out about parts/maintenance. Good tip on adding the the iron out to the salt.

I occasionally hear it regenerating, but suspect it could use a little TLC.