With all of the fantastic perks of having a water softener system for your home, it’s almost shocking to learn just how easy they are to maintain. Top off the tank monthly, do an occasional cleaning, and you are good to go. It takes just a few minutes a month to keep your water softener working like clockwork, keeping your home free of the pesky minerals that wreak havoc on your pipes, fixtures, and appliances.

Aside from regular maintenance, there is one common issue with water softener systems that you need to watch out for. Occasionally, you will see the formation of a salt bridge in the brine tank. Luckily, it’s an avoidable problem with a simple fix. You just need to know what to look out for.

What is a Salt Bridge?

A salt bridge occurs when the salt in your brine tank clumps together, forming a bridge over the brine. Typically caused by moisture, this layer of hardened salt holds the salt supply on top of it from falling into the brine, creating a gap between the salt and the water level.

Your water softener relies on salt to operate. In short, your system uses resin beads to conduct the ion exchange that removes the hard minerals from your water. Regular cleaning of these beads is necessary for them to continue to work. The salt creates a brine that cleans the resin beads. When you have a salt bridge in your softener, the salt isn’t getting into the water, the resin beads aren’t getting cleaned, and your entire system is unable to continue softening your water.

How do I Know if I Have a Salt Bridge?

There are some telltale signs that you might be dealing with a salt bridge in your brine tank.

• It doesn’t seem like your water softener is working. You may notice that your water feels hard, you may notice limescale buildup, your hair and skin may feel dry, and your soap may not create as many suds.
• Your salt levels look full when it’s time to refill. If it is time to top off the salt in your tank but it still seems full, this can signal the presence of a salt bridge.
• Your salt feels crusty to the touch. A salt bridge forms when the salt is damp enough to adhere together but not completely submerged. This may cause a crusty texture on the salt in your tank, indicating a bigger problem.

What Causes a Salt Bridge?

There are a variety of reasons a salt bridge can form. It may be because the water level in the tank is too low, the tank needs a good cleaning, or humidity levels are causing the salt to clump together. It can also result from using the wrong type of salt in the water softener, causing it to clump together easily.

While there are various reasons a salt bridge can form, it shouldn’t be a regular issue. If it becomes a recurring problem, consider calling your water professional to take a look and help identify the cause.

How Do I Remove a Salt Bridge?

Removing a salt bridge can be a quick and simple project. If you have a salt bridge, we recommend dealing with it promptly because it is a problem that will only get worse with time. With just a few steps, you will be back in business.

• Remove all of the salt sitting on top of the salt bridge
• After removing the loose salt, break up the salt bridge using a broom or mop handle
• Remove all of the chunks of the bridge that fell down into the tank
• With all the salt out, take the opportunity to clean out your brine tank properly
• Allow the water levels to return to normal, and add the proper level of salt
• You are back up and running

How Can I Prevent a Salt Bridge?

A salt bridge is usually something you only need to address occasionally. However, if it is a repeated problem, there are a few things you can do to help you identify the root cause of the issue.

• Ensure your brine tank gets regular, proper cleanings
• Do what you can to prevent excess levels of humidity
• Make sure you do not overfill the salt in your tank
• Use the correct salt for your system (recommended by your local water softener professional)

While a salt bridge isn’t something you will see often, it’s something you should be aware of and know how to address. The earlier you catch it, the easier it will be to break up.

As always, your best resource when it comes to the care and maintenance of your system is your local Austin water softener expert. A professional understands your specific system, the local environment, and the factors that may cause a salt bridge. A quick service call by your local water softener company will allow you to quickly identify the problem and get your water back to normal.