This is the easiest part. Pop open the brine tank’s lid. If you see water sitting on top of the salt, don’t freak out—that’s supposed to happen. It’s like a salty hot tub waiting to do its job. Just pour in a new bag of water softener salt (not table salt, for crying out loud—you’re not seasoning a steak).
How much? Usually, keep it about half full. Too little and it stops working, too much and you’ll create a “salt bridge” (a hard crust that blocks everything—think of it as a dried-out science fair volcano). If you see a salt bridge, gently poke it with a broom handle until it crumbles. Yes, this is your new hobby now.
Important: Don’t Be a Salt Snob
There are solar salt, evaporated salt, and rock salt. Honestly? Just grab whatever’s on sale, but avoid “rust remover” salt pellets unless you want your water tasting like pennies. Stick with pure sodium chloride. Your softener isn’t a Michelin-star chef—it’s a workhorse.
How Water Softeners Work Diagram Water Softener: Plumbing Water
