This post may contain affiliate links. Don Vandervort has developed his expertise for more than 30 years, as Building Editor for Sunset Books, Senior Editor at Home Magazine, author of more than 30 home improvement books, and writer of countless magazine articles. Contaminants removed by the water softening (ion . Resin beads in the tank attract and hold onto hard water minerals, removing them from the water… amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {"type":"search","value":"water softener"}; Don has:• Over 30 years’ experience as a remodeler and builder• Written more than 30 home improvement books• Served as Senior Editor at Home Magazine• Appeared as a segment host on HGTV’s “The Fix”• Been a featured expert on MSN.com, US News, and others• Learn more about the trusted HomeTips brand. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Here’s how just one system can dramatically improve your water. A “brine tank” is paired with the mineral tank to help with the regeneration process. For more information see our disclosures, How to Protect Your Home from Rainwater Damage, Salt-Free Water Softeners or Conditioners, How to Buy a Water Softener System | Solve Hard Water Problems, Find a Local Water Treatment Installation Pro. Featured Resource: Find a Local Water Treatment Installation Proeval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hometips_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',605,'0','0'])); Call for free estimates from local water treatment pros now:1-866-342-3263eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hometips_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',606,'0','0'])); amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; During the “brine draw” cycle, salty water (brine) is pumped from the brine tank into the resin tank. An expert explanation and diagram of how a conventional water softener softens hard water. Once excess sodium is rinsed away and the brine tank is refilled, the system returns to the “service cycle,” ready for water softening again. The amount of sodium that gets released into a gallon of softened water is about as much as what you’d find in 2 slices of white bread. Here’s a breakdown of how the water softening process works: Here’s a breakdown of how a water softener works: Hard water enters your home from a main water pipe or well, and travels to the water softener. During a backwash cycle, the flow of water is reversed so that water is forced down the riser tube to the bottom of the tank so that it will flow up through the resin beads in the tank. With over 85% of the United States relying on hard water for their cooking, cleaning, and bathing, water softeners serve a vital purpose. As shown in the diagram below, a typical water softener has a resin (or “mineral”) tank, a brine tank, and some type of control. A standard whole-house water softener works on the principle of ion exchange, called “cation exchange.” It conditions, or “softens,” hard water by substituting sodium chloride (salt) for hard minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. A standard whole-house water softener works on the principle of ion exchange, called “cation exchange.” It conditions, or “softens,” hard water by substituting sodium chloride (salt) for hard minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Because salt is dissolved in the brine tank during the regeneration process (about 3 pounds of salt per gallon), the water softener salt must be replenished periodically. Find the right water softener for your home by using this step by step guide. Here’s a breakdown of how the water softening process works: Here’s a breakdown of how a water softener works: Hard water enters your home from a main water pipe or well, and travels to the water softener. Fast Rinse Backwash is followed by a fast flow of water down through the resin tank. The ion exchange water softening process can remove nearly all calcium and magnesium from source water. Once water hardness is known, you have two options. The water softener system returns to water softening … Here is a video that shows the various components of a water softener, and how they operate together. The ion exchange water softening process can remove nearly all calcium and magnesium from source water. To understand the water softener's regeneration process, you first have to find out what are the different parts and how they work. It also serves to pack in the resin beads. HomeTips.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The unit flushes and expands the resin, washing off the beads and then carrying the minerals out through a drainpipe. As the water flows down through the resin beads, it exchanges sodium with the hard-water ions, regenerating the electrical attraction of the resin beads. Contaminants removed by the water softening (ion . exchange) process. amzn_assoc_default_category = "All"; Don Vandervort writes or edits every article at HomeTips. Water enters the top of the water-softener tank and percolates down through the resin beads. 2:00 am in the morning).. Then the flow direction inside the softener is reversed and water gets pumped into the resin tank from the bottom up. HomeTips articles may contain links to Amazon.com and other partner programs that provide helpful products and services. As an Amazon Associate, HomeTips earns from qualifying purchases which allows us to continue creating helpful DIY content. Softeners may also remove as much as 5-10 ppm (parts per million; ppm is equal to milligrams per liter, or mg/L) of iron and manganese. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "auto"; He appeared for 3 seasons on HGTV’s “The Fix,” and served as MSN’s home expert for several years. Don founded HomeTips in 1996. by Don Vandervort, HomeTips © 1997 to 2020. Then the brine tank is refilled. Join us to get great money-saving tips, cool ideas, and valuable advice from home improvement expert Don Vandervort! The result is a savings in energy, salt, and water. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "widget05-20"; With a conventional cation-exchange water softener, the house water supply pipe is connected to a control valve and timer at the top of the resin tank. On restricted sodium intake diets should account for increased levels of sodium is from! 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