Great question! Yes. After a while, the beads are covered in calcium and magnesium. They’re exhausted. They can’t swap anymore.
This is where the regeneration cycle kicks in. It’s the softener’s nap time. The system flushes a strong brine solution (super salty water) over the beads.
The salt is so strong that it strips the minerals off the beads. The minerals get washed down the drain. The beads are recharged. Ready to work again. Like a rechargeable battery for your water.
