Sometimes, your softener's salt can stick together and form a salt block or bridge. If this happens to you, don't worry - there are some simple steps you can take to remove and prevent salt bridges. Keep reading or watch our video below to learn more!
Locate Your Serial Number
Find the Serial Number printed on the inside rim of the tank, under the salt lid hinges.
Click on your model below to expand directions:
First seven digits of your serial number.
Instructional Video Demo
Cause
Salt bridges are usually caused by high humidity or by using the wrong type of salt. They can also happen if the tank is very full, or if the softener goes a long time between recharges.
Two ways to check for a salt block/bridge:
1. Push a room handle or other round-ended tool straight down into the salt in a few different places.
2. Lightly knock on the side of the tank with your knuckles. Start at the salt line and work your way down to the bottom of the tank. If you get towards the bottom and it sounds solid, you most likely have a salt block. If you get to the bottom and have a hollow sound, it's most likely a salt bridge.
Solution
1. First, you'll want to remove as much salt as you can from the tank. Grab a cup or something similar and scoop out as much as you can.
2. Remove the top cover. Click here for detailed instruction on how.
3. Next, you'll pour 2-3 gallons of hot tap water into the softener's brinewell (the black cylinder with numbers on it).
4. Wait 45-60 minutes to let the warm water dissolve the hardened salt.
5. Start a recharge cycle by holding the Recharge button until you hear the motor start turning. The recharge will take about 2 ½ hours.
6. When the recharge is over, use a broom handle or similar round-ended tool to break up any remaining chunks of salt.
7. Repeat this process as needed until the hardened salt is gone.
Prevention
Here are a few tips to help prevent salt bridges in the future:
- Use pellets, nuggets, or coarse solar salt with less than 1% impurities.
- Keep the salt between levels 2 and 4 on the brinewell number scale.
- Periodically stir the salt with a broom handle or other blunt tool.
- Consider setting a maximum number of days between recharges.
Please let us know if this article was helpful by voting below.
Cause
Salt bridges are usually caused by high humidity or by using the wrong type of salt. They can also happen if the tank is very full, or if the softener goes a long time between recharges.
Two ways to check for a salt block/bridge:
1. Push a room handle or other round-ended tool straight down into the salt in a few different places.
2. Lightly knock on the side of the tank with your knuckles. Start at the salt line and work your way down to the bottom of the tank. If you get towards the bottom and it sounds solid, you most likely have a salt block. If you get to the bottom and have a hollow sound, it's most likely a salt bridge.
Solution
1. First, you'll want to remove as much salt as you can from the tank. Grab a cup or something similar and scoop out as much as you can.
2. Remove the top cover. Click here for detailed instruction on how.
3. Take the top cover off the brinewell (the black cylinder with numbers on it). Now, pour 2-3 gallons of hot tap water into the softener's brinewell.
4. Wait 45-60 minutes to let the warm water dissolve the hardened salt.
5. Start a recharge cycle by holding the Recharge button until you hear the motor start turning. The recharge will take about 2 ½ hours.
6. When the recharge is over, use a broom handle or similar round-ended tool to break up any remaining chunks of salt.
7. Repeat this process as needed until the hardened salt is gone.
Prevention
Here are a few tips to help prevent salt bridges in the future:
- Use pellets, nuggets, or coarse solar salt with less than 1% impurities.
- Keep the salt between levels 2 and 4 on the brinewell number scale.
- Periodically stir the salt with a broom handle or other blunt tool.
- Consider setting a maximum number of days between recharges.
Please let us know if this article was helpful by voting below.