Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - 1st time water softener user...help!

Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.



PDA
Scotte
02-12-05, 08:52 AM
:confused: I recently purchased a home with a water softener. It is a Hytek LE-844(?).
There are 2 tanks (one looks an oxygen tank with a timer mechanism on top. The other is a reservoir type tank which contains, what appears to be, styrofoam pellets(?). Do I need to add salt to this type of system? If so, do I just pour it in over the foam pellets?....any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
Scotte

Gary Slusser
02-12-05, 11:52 AM
"foam pellets".... I think you're seeing salt pellets; taste one to see if it's salty.

Click the link below to see how a softener works.
http://www.kenmorewater.com/animations/animations.html

Gary
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Company Name Removed Only
Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2
Scotte
02-12-05, 03:06 PM
Okay...I'm a moron...it is "salt pellets"...so, how often should I add salt?

Gary Slusser
02-14-05, 10:09 AM
You had the pellet part right so go easy on yourself. :)

Keep dry salt up out of the water and you're fine or, keep the salt about 18" deep. I am not a fan of filling a salt tank and only checking it when 'she' says "there must be something wrong with the softener honey...". Running a softener out of salt is not good for the resin.

Gary
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Company Name Removed Only
Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2
Scotte
02-14-05, 06:09 PM
The salt pellets seem to have "caked up" thus making quite a hard barrier
in the reservoir. Should I break up the existing salt, remove it, and refill with new pellets?
Gary Slusser
02-14-05, 09:04 PM
Break it up and get the pieces down in the water, they should dissolve. Use them up and then change to solar crystal salt and you won't have this problem again. :)

Gary
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Company Name Removed Only
Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2
Scotte
02-15-05, 06:57 PM
Than :) ks...we'll do! I appreciate all of your help!