It is estimated that up to 80% of all homes in the United States have hard water. Essentially, that means that the water contains dissolved rock, most commonly limestone and iron, which leaves a residue on sinks and fixtures, damages water-using appliances, and ruins piping with rust build-up. The only way to combat hard water issues is to install a water softener that will create soft water for your home use.
How Does A Water Softener Work?
The purpose of a water softener is to eliminate dissolved rock from the home water supply.
- Made of two tanks, a salt brine tank and a resin tank, the water is sent into a filtration cycle through a process known as ion exchange. Ion exchange uses resin, debris slightly larger than granules of sand, to filter out the hard water molecules leaving soft water behind.
- A cleaning, called regeneration, is required once the resin is full of hardness. During this process, the home water supply is shut down as the resin tank is flooded with salt brine water in the opposite direction of typical water flow, effectively removing the hardness from the resin.
- After a final rinsing of the resin, soft water production can begin again.
Why Is My Water Softener Making Noise?
Calcium or magnesium buildup on the intake valves, trying to use water during the regeneration cycle, air check mechanism issues, and loose gears can all contribute to a noisy water softener. However, the noise may simply be the sound of the water softener’s motor during the regeneration process and not a mechanical issue at all. The regeneration cycle is most often programmed to occur at night, leading to the sound being perceived as louder and more troubling. While that sound might indicate business as usual, other noises may be the result of a machinery problem. It is also possible that the disturbance is a result of the water heater, dishwasher, or another water-using appliance.
How To Fix Water Softener Noise
Essentially, the only noise that you should regularly hear from your water softener is the back-flush occurring during the regeneration cycle, typically a recurring sound during the middle of the night. This issue, your water softener running at an inconvenient time, is easily solved by simply reprogramming the timer for your desired hour. However, if you don’t have working knowledge of how best to maintain your water softener, a visit from a qualified plumber would be required to repair any malfunctioning equipment. The most common issues requiring maintenance tend to involve the control valve, whether that be a leak or rusty pipes, or the air check mechanism, a floating ball in the brine tank, both of which would require a visit from a professional Las Vegas plumber.
