How To Replace a Water Softener Salt Tank

If you’re dealing with a malfunctioning water softener, you might wonder whether replacing the salt tank is the solution — but in most cases, the answer is more complex.

In general, it’s difficult to diagnose water softener problems, including those that involve the brine tank, without the necessary expertise. For this reason, it’s best to consult your provider for help finding and addressing underlying issues.

If you did need to replace a water softener salt tank, the best option would be to call an expert who can empty and disconnect the existing tank and reconnect, seal and test the new one. This process is uncommon because salt tank replacement is unlikely to solve most system performance issues. Rather than simply getting a new salt tank, you more likely would need to replace the water softener system instead.

Read on to learn more about water softener salt tank replacement and the more effective alternatives.

How Experts Replace a Water Softener Salt Tank

According to Culligan Problem Water Specialist Gary Falkengren, the process of replacing a salt tank can be challenging. For example, depending on the size and model of your softener, the brine tank could contain hundreds of pounds of salt and several gallons of water. “You have to bail out all of that,” says Falkengren. “It’s not a fun project.”

Aside from being complicated, this process may be unnecessary. “In many cases, replacing the salt tank won’t likely solve the problem,” Falkengren explains. “There may be other issues to investigate.” However, because it’s difficult to track common water softener problems to their source, he recommends starting with a professional opinion.

If you work with Culligan, your local water expert will help determine both the cause of the issue and the best solution. This may include repairs and maintenance, but it can sometimes require replacing the entire water softener system. In this case, your local Culligan experts help you choose a replacement based on your water typically will remove the old one for you — even if it’s not a Culligan softener.

Why Replace Your Water Softener Salt Tank?

You might need to replace your water softener’s salt tank in a few specific cases, including cracks or punctures in the plastic molding, improper installation and salt solidification issues.

What causes these problems? “If you try to move a softener tank when it’s full of salt, that can stress the plastic and create cracks where it was molded,” says Falkengren. “But you can also see problems if someone installed it without sweeping the floor, or placed it on an irregular surface that could create punctures.” There’s also a potential that the float mechanism, which prevents brine from overflowing, could be defective.

In other cases, the problem might look more like a salt clog. “The salt can solidify to the point that it’s one big block,” Falkengren explains, “and it’s almost impossible to get out.”

While professional installation solves many of these problems, it’s also important to properly maintain your water softener system. This helps prevent salt bridges and salt mushing, which can both potentially lead to lasting brine tank issues. Fortunately, Falkengren says significant problems are uncommon. “In most cases, nothing goes wrong with the salt tank,” he explains. “Sometimes it can even have a longer lifespan than the softener itself.”

Falkengren adds that salt tank replacement should be on an as-needed basis. Signs that replacement might be necessary include leaking and visible damage.

Salt Tank vs. Softener Replacement

It’s difficult to determine on your own whether common water softener problems are related to the salt tank or the system itself. For example, if you notice that the water softening process doesn’t seem as effective or hard water symptoms have returned, there could be many causes besides the salt tank — including the system’s age.

Your water softener’s lifespan could range from 10 to 15 years. As systems age, they can develop performance issues that you might mistake for a salt tank issue. Older models may also be less efficient and effective; in this case, the outdated design might be more problematic than the brine tank itself.

Ultimately, your local water expert can help you determine whether to replace the whole softening system or just the salt tank.

Water Softener Salt Tanks: FAQs

Learn more about water softener salt tanks and how they help create a virtually limitless supply of soft water throughout your home:

How Is a Salt Tank Supposed To Work?

A salt tank works by providing the brine solution that enables water softening. The brine is used for regeneration, a process that rinses hardness-causing calcium and magnesium from the resin beads that pull them out of your home’s water.

According to Falkengren, softeners use negatively charged resin beads that come with a sodium coating. The sodium ions are positively charged, so they stick to the beads. Hard water minerals are also positively charged — but they have a stronger attraction to the resin, so they stick and the sodium is released in their place. When the beads are essentially covered in calcium and magnesium, they must be rinsed before they can attract any more. This requires regeneration.

In the regeneration cycle, the softener draws from the brine tank, which contains salt and water that make a brine solution. This solution washes over the resin, making it capable of performing effective water softening again.

When the salt tank works properly, regeneration happens at regular intervals depending on the softener’s design. However, salt tank problems can cause inefficient or irregular regeneration that, in turn, impacts the system’s ability to provide softened water.

How Do You Maintain a Water Softener Salt Tank?

To maintain a salt tank, you need to add the right kind and amount of salt at the proper intervals. Managing the salt level is one of the most important parts of water softener maintenance overall.

The best type of water softener salt depends on your system. Consult your owner’s manual for help choosing between kinds like rock salt, solar salt and evaporated salt.

To determine how much salt to add and at what intervals, you’ll need to think about your salt usage, which depends on regeneration. The more frequently your softener regenerates, the more salt it uses. However, regeneration frequency depends on many factors, including your water’s hardness levels and the system’s treatment capacities. For support, check your owner’s manual and talk to your provider.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Water Softener Tank?

The cost of water softener salt tank replacement depends on a number of factors, including parts costs, installation fees and the size and type of tank.

Keep in mind that, despite the cost, salt tank replacement may not address the core of your problem. In some cases, you may be able to fix a salt bridging or salt mushing issue that will address your concerns. In other cases, your provider may be able to provide a repair instead of a replacement. Alternatively, you may need a new softener.

How Often Do Water Softener Tanks Need To Be Replaced?

Water softener tanks should be replaced on an as-needed basis, not regularly.

However, the salt inside these tanks does need to be refilled on a regular basis. The exact interval depends on how frequently your softener regenerates.

Softeners typically need replacement every 10 to 15 years. Over time, softener performance can degrade and you may notice hard water problems returning. Additionally, newer softeners have better technology and efficiency, so there may be multiple reasons to upgrade.

How Long Do Salt Tanks Last?

Salt tanks can potentially last more than 15 years in some cases. They sometimes last longer than the softener system itself. This is one reason a suspected brine tank problem could actually be related to the softener’s age.

Learn More About Water Softeners

Salt tank replacement isn’t a common requirement and doesn’t generally address most water softener problems. When necessary, it’s best left to the professionals because of its difficulty and technical complexity. However, it’s more likely that your local water expert will recommend maintenance, repairs or a water softener replacement.

If you have problems that are impacting your softened water, your local Culligan provider can help diagnose the issue and recommend next steps. Schedule a service call today.