About the water softener system, Breaking a Salt Bridge

About the water softener system.

Breaking a Salt Bridge

Sometimes, a hard crust or salt bridge forms in the salt storage area. It is usually caused by high humidity or the wrong kind of salt. When the salt bridges, an empty space forms between the water and salt. Then salt will not dissolve in the water to make brine.

If the brine tank is full of salt, it is hard to tell if you have a salt bridge. Salt is loose on top, but the bridge is under it. The following is the best way to check for a salt bridge.

Salt should be loose all the way to the bottom of the tank. Take a broom handle or like tool, and carefully push it down into the salt, working it up and down. If the tool strikes

a hard object (be sure it’s not the bottom or sides of the tank), it’s most likely a salt bridge. Carefully break the bridge with the tool.

Do not pound on the walls of the tank.

If the wrong kind of salt made the bridge, take it out. Then fill the tank with nugget or pellet salt only. In humid areas, it is best to fill with less salt, more often to prevent a salt bridge from forming.

Push tool into salt bridge to break

1″–2″

Pencil mark

	Salt
Broom	Salt
handle	Salt
	bridge
	Water level

Cleaning the Nozzle and Venturi Assembly

A clean nozzle and venturi is needed for the water softening system to work properly. This small unit makes the suction to move brine from the salt storage area to the resin tank during recharge. If it becomes plugged with sand, dirt, etc., the water softening system will not work and you will get hard water.

To get to the nozzle and venturi, remove the water softening system top cover. Be sure the water softening system is in service cycle (no water pressure at nozzle and venturi). Then, while holding the nozzle and venturi housing with one hand, remove the cap. Lift out the screen support and screen, then the nozzle and venturi. Wash and rinse the parts in warm water until clean. If needed, use a small brush to remove iron or dirt. Also check and clean the gasket.

NOTE: Some models have a small flow plug located in the nozzle and venturi, and/or a small cone shaped screen in the housing. Be sure to check and clean these parts,

if your model is so equipped.

Carefully replace all parts in the correct order. Lightly lubricate the o-ring seal with clean silicone grease or petroleum jelly and place in position. Install and tighten the cap, by hand only.