Salt bridging can occur in any water softener "salt tank". A salt bridge occurs when a hard crust of salt develops across the salt tank when the salt wicks up moisture. The salt does not fall down in the salt tank in between regenerations and a "bridge" occurs. It may look like the salt tank is full but there will be a hollow area at the bottom of the salt tank and not enough salt to develop the proper brine for regeneration of softener. This generally happens when the salt tank is a least 1/2 full of salt. If the system has a separate salt tank, shaking the tank will break the bridge usually. Gently poking a stick at the bridge can break it up also but can damage the salt grid if you poke the stick too far down in the salt tank. Certain salts, such as pellet salt are highly prone to this problem. Using Dura Cube, Hardi Cube or Solar salt will greatly reduce the chance of bridging. Any time a salt bridge occurs it will take 3 regenerations of the water softener (in 24 hrs), after fixing it, to regain the reserve capacity and totally soft water.
RJ
Here's a diagram for RJ H2O's excellent solution:
SOURCE: No salt leaving Culligan softener during regen
It sounds like your salt in your salt compartment is stuck. Poor about a couple of gallons of hot water on top of your salt and see if that will break it up and fall down to the bottom of your salt container. Then regenerate your softener after about 3 hours have gone by. You should be back in business.
1,351 views
Usually answered in minutes!
×