SaltMateHow to check the salt level in your water softener
It takes a minute: lift the lid of the salt tank and look. Here is what a healthy level looks like, how often to check, and the signs that you have left it too long.
Check it in six steps
- Find the salt tank. It is the shorter, wider tank beside the softener, also called the brine tank. On a cabinet-style softener it is the compartment under the lid.
- Lift the lid.
- Look for salt above the water. You should see dry salt. If you can see water covering the salt, it is time to add more.
- Judge how full it is. Refill when the tank drops below about half. Try not to let it fall under a quarter.
- Don’t fill it to the brim. Stop about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) below the top. Overfilling makes the salt more likely to clump.
- Press on the salt. Push a broom handle into it. If it is a hard crust with a hollow space underneath, you have a salt bridge, and the softener is not getting any salt.
How often to check
About once a month suits most homes. Check more often when the softener is new, when more people are staying, or after you change its settings, until you know how fast your home goes through salt. Most households add salt every four to eight weeks.
Signs the salt has run out
- Soap and shampoo don’t lather the way they did.
- Spots or a cloudy film on glasses and dishes.
- White scale on taps, shower heads and in the kettle.
- Laundry feels stiff.
The softener itself usually gives no sign. Many models keep running and regenerating on schedule with an empty tank.
What happens if it runs out
Nothing breaks. The softener can’t recharge its resin without salt, so hard water passes straight through until you refill. Add salt, then start a manual regeneration so soft water comes back sooner. Your softener’s manual shows how.
Common questions
How much salt should be in a water softener?
Keep the salt tank between about half full and 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) below the top. Refill when it drops below half, and try not to let it fall under a quarter.
Should there be water in the salt tank?
Yes. Some water at the bottom of the brine tank is normal, because the softener dissolves salt in it to make brine. The salt should sit above the water. If the water is above the salt, add salt.
How often should I add salt to my water softener?
Most households add salt every four to eight weeks. It depends on how hard your water is, how much water you use and how your softener is set up.