WaterCare® FAQ

The accuracy of do-it-yourself or at-home water test kits depends on the type of test. Lab test kits are usually more accurate than test strips, but neither is as accurate or comprehensive as professional home water testing performed by a trained technician. When a technician collects the water sample and performs their test for the same material, they are using a more advanced chemical reaction than your average paper test strip. The samples that are sent to the lab will provide a more detailed report. This allows the technician to be able to provide you with the best recommendations for treating your water.

If you want detailed information about WaterCare® water treatment systems, we provide literature and manuals, including brochures, manuals, and product specifications.

Yes. If you put too much salt in your water softener tank it can lead to a salt bridge, which is an empty space created between the water and the salt, or worse, salt mush. Salt mush results in crystallization of dissolved salt in the tank causing a thick, salt layer on the bottom of your brine tank. This will not only halt the regeneration process but could also cause a blockage, rendering your system ineffective.

Yes, all water filtration systems require regular cleaning and filter replacement to ensure your water is clear and tastes good. Neglecting to maintain your water filter system can cause your equipment to malfunction or stop working.

Different water filtration systems have specific maintenance requirements. For example, certain types of filters need to be changed more often than others. Understanding how to maintain your water filter will ensure the highest quality water possible and extend the life of your system. WaterCare makes water filter maintenance easy with annual inspection and service. To schedule your maintenance, contact your local WaterCare dealer.

If you're in the market for a water filtration system, you'll need to consider factors including the type of contaminants, flow rate, and installation requirements. WaterCare dealers make it easy, providing expert water filter installation, maintenance, and service.

WaterCare® dealers offer warranties to ensure system efficiency and performance, including:

Water softeners & filters:

• A limited lifetime warranty on the media tank
• A limited 10-year warranty on the brine tank
• A limited 5-year warranty on the complete valve
• A limited 1-year warranty on all other parts and components

Drinking water systems:

• A limited 5-year warranty on the UltroWater R.O. Drinking Water System and ClearFlo R.O. Drinking Water System (except for the reverse osmosis membrane) from the date of purchase
• A limited 1-year warranty on the reverse osmosis membrane from the date of purchase

The ONE™ cartridge filter:

• A limited 1-year warranty on tank and filter defects in material and workmanship
• A limited 5-year warranty on defects in materials and workmanship on the IN/OUT head assemblies 
• You can read about our warranties and other specifications by reviewing the product manuals

All WaterCare softeners, conditioners and some filters are designed to use salt to regenerate the system. For proper operation of a water softener or conditioner, the brine tank should be at least 1/3 full of salt at all times.

There are many ways that chemicals or bacteria can get into drinking water. The primary reasons for the presence of chemicals or bacteria in drinking water include:

• Naturally occurring substances
• Local land-use practices (Fertilizers, pesticides, livestock, etc.)
• Broken well caps or casings 
• Nearby industrial manufacturing
• Overflow from sewage
• Malfunctioning wastewater treatment facilities

Testing your water is important to determine whether you may be drinking harmful contaminants. While not all contaminants are a health concern, knowing that your water contains a lot of calcium, magnesium, iron, or manganese is the first step to preventing your pipes, water heater, and water-using appliances from breaking down faster or clogging due to their damaging effects. There are do-it-yourself water tests, as well as lab tests performed by trained technicians. WaterCare dealers offer comprehensive home water testing services. Get started by contacting your local WaterCare dealer to schedule a water test today!

These simple precautions will help keep your water treatment system looking like new and help ensure that you experience trouble-free service for many years.

• Use only mild soap and warm water when cleaning the exterior of the system. Never use abrasive, harsh cleaning compounds or any containing acid (such as vinegar) or an oxidizer (such as bleach) or similar products.
• If the system is installed outside or in a pump house, dirt and debris such as cobwebs, insects, etc., may create mechanical issues. Occasionally remove the control valve cover and brush lightly with a very soft, dry brush.
• Should you need troubleshooting or adjustment information not included in this Use and Care guide, please refer to the proper “Installation and Owner’s Manual” for your model. If you do not have this manual, it may be obtained from your local WaterCare dealer or from our product manual library.

A periodic clean out of the brine tank is recommended to keep your system operating at peak efficiency. The following is a step-by-step procedure to properly clean out the brine tank. To reduce cleaning time, it is suggested that you perform this clean out when the salt supply is low.

Following is a list of suggested tools to use:

• Garden hose
• Scoop
• Bucket-size container
• Household scrub brush
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Soft rag

Steps for cleaning the brine tank:

• Remove the brine tank lid and the plastic cap from the well.
• Remove the brine well mechanism and carefully set it aside in an upright position. To do this, disconnect the brine overflow tube and brine line from the safety float mechanism. While holding the nut on the inside of the brine well, unscrew the elbow. Be careful not to lose the nut.
• Should you desire to save any clean, dry salt remaining in the brine tank, remove it and place it in a clean container.
• Use a scoop to dig out and discard as much remaining salt, water and insoluble matter as possible.
• Carefully lay the brine tank on its side, and using the garden hose wash the inside of the tank to rinse out all residue and salt cake affixed to the inside of the tank.
• If a salt grid was installed, remove and clean it using a household scrub brush and mild soapy solution.
• Stand the brine tank upright. Place the brine well in position and reaffix it to the tank with the elbow and nut. Connect the brine line back to the safety float mechanism.
• Reinstall the salt grid and replace the brine well cap.
• Fill the brine tank with 2 to 3 inches of water.
• Fill the tank 2/3 full of salt.
• Replace the brine tank cover.

PLEASE NOTE: Allow about 2 to 3 hours for brine solution to be made before the system regenerates.

If a power loss occurs for less than 24 hours and the time of day flashes, this indicates the battery is depleted. The time of day should be reset and the non-rechargeable battery should be replaced.

The battery is a 3 Volt Lithium Coin Cell type 2032 and is readily available at most stores. To access the battery, remove front cover and extract from it's cradle. Slide in the replacement battery and replace front cover.

Regardless of the type of water filtration system you have, properly maintaining your system requires regular cleaning, filter replacement, and prompt service. Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire a professional, it's important to understand the specific maintenance requirements of your system. Depending on your water usage, contaminants, and type of filtration system, the filter cartridge should be changed every 3 months to 1 year, on average, to ensure the highest water quality and lifespan of the system. If your water treatment system includes a water softener, you might need to clean your filtration system more often. For help with your water filter maintenance, contact your local WaterCare dealer today.

During an on-site water test, your local WaterCare® dealer will provide a consultation to evaluate and address water quality issues and household needs. Here is what to expect:

1. An introductory discussion covers your water needs, the number of people in the household, and preliminary questions to determine your concerns. The technician will also discuss possible symptoms of water quality issues and their causes.
2. The technician will examine the water source and how it enters the home. They will also see the best place to install water treatment equipment and explain what to expect during that process if you choose to purchase equipment.
3. They perform water testing by collecting samples from where water enters the home. They will also look for any foul odors or stains caused by water throughout the home, including rust-colored build-up from iron, blue-green stains caused by acidic water, or white crusty film from hardness.
4. They check the levels of contaminants in your water with a series of tests that tell them how concentrated the issues are—the more contamination, the more capacity your water softener, conditioner, or filter will need. Our tests detect hardness, acidity, iron, total dissolved solids, sulfur, etc.
5. Once the water test and evaluation are complete, they will recommend water treatment equipment or services to meet your needs. However, if they send additional samples to a lab, it can take up to a week for results and feedback on system suggestions. The bottom line is that they will help you understand what is in your water and how to remove contaminants, simplifying the process!

Ideally, you'll want to test water every year for different forms of bacteria, nitrates, pH levels, and more. If you have a new well or recently installed new pipes, you should get it tested as soon as possible as these factors can change your water quality.

The cost of water softener salt will depend on the model and size of your water softener. We recommend a six bag minimum for delivery but there is always the option to customize.

The cost of repair depends on the severity of the problem. The most common water softener problems include salt bridges, power issues, defective timers, clogged or faulty valves, or depletion of resin beads. WaterCare experts are equipped to solve a wide range of water softener problems. To request service or a free repair estimate, contact your local WaterCare dealer today.

Besides regularly adding salt to your water softener and occasionally cleaning the brine tank, it's generally recommended that you have your water softener serviced annually. Contact your local WaterCare dealer if your water feels hard, you notice spots on your dishes, salt remains at the same level each day, or you notice a change in your water quality. These are signs that your water softener may need immediate servicing.

Ideally, you'll want to test water yearly for a complete understanding of what is in your water. Any changes to the outside environment can change what your water picks up along the way and brings inside your house. Regular water testing can help prevent the damaging effects of potential contaminants. Water should also be tested after installing a new well or new plumbing as these situations can impact water quality.

There are many different types of water testing options. First, there are do-it-yourself tests, including strip tests and lab tests. There are also lab tests performed by a trained technician, in which they collect the samples for you and send them to a certified lab for analysis. Water tests can also be used to check for bacteria, measure levels of contaminants, check pH, or analyze the levels of nutrients. DIY water tests usually don't provide enough detailed information to help you decide what type of water treatment equipment is necessary or the size of the system needed. WaterCare dealers offer comprehensive home water testing and they can recommend the right water treatment solution for your home.

During an on-site water test, your local WaterCare® dealer will provide a consultation to evaluate and address water quality issues and household needs. Here is what to expect:

1. An introductory discussion covers your water needs, the number of people in the household, and preliminary questions to determine your concerns. The technician will also discuss possible symptoms of water quality issues and their causes.
2. The technician will examine the water source and how it enters the home. They will also see the best place to install water treatment equipment and explain what to expect during that process if you choose to purchase equipment.
3. They perform water testing by collecting samples from where water enters the home. They will also look for any foul odors or stains caused by water throughout the home, including rust-colored build-up from iron, blue-green stains caused by acidic water, or white crusty film from hardness.
4. They check the levels of contaminants in your water with a series of tests that tell them how concentrated the issues are—the more contamination, the more capacity your water softener, conditioner, or filter will need. Our tests detect hardness, acidity, iron, total dissolved solids, sulfur, etc.
5. Once the water test and evaluation are complete, they will recommend water treatment equipment or services to meet your needs. However, if they send additional samples to a lab, it can take up to a week for results and feedback on system suggestions. The bottom line is that they will help you understand what is in your water and how to remove contaminants, simplifying the process!

If your water softener runs out of salt, hard water and unwanted minerals will return. You'll also notice the quality of your water will go down. With our salt delivery services, this can easily be prevented with scheduled, on-time delivery.

If you put the wrong salt in your system, it could result in a "salt bridge." A salt bridge is when an empty space forms between the water and the salt, making the creation of brine ineffective. This will then create the resin to not properly recharge, resulting in hard water in the process.

Adding too much salt to your water softener system can cause it to not regenerate properly. Meaning, your water softener will not be able to properly filter out the mineral it needs to to create softer water.

Your unit is equipped with a battery backup system. In the event of a power outage for less than 24 hours, the control valve will remember all settings and time of day. For an outage over 24 hours, the only item that needs to be reset is the time of day, which will flash when a reset is required. All other settings are permanently stored in the nonvolatile memory.

FOR TOTALCARE SERIES CONDITIONERS:

Time of day will not need to be reset. The system will recognize resumption of power and will switch back.

All salt, regardless of its source, may contain insoluble matter, which accumulates at the bottom of the brine tank and requires periodic cleaning. If pellet or rock salt is used, you should clean out your brine tank at least once a year. If solar salt is used, the brine tank will require less frequent cleaning. However, you should periodically check for salt bridging*.

For CareSoft Series Softeners:

We recommend the use of solar salt for best results. Water softeners and conditioners manufactured by WaterCare can support the use of potassium chloride (KCI) as a regenerant in lieu of sodium chloride.

For TotalCare Series Conditioners:

WARNING: Do not use salt containing mineral bed cleaners. Salts that claim any iron cleaners, rust savers, or additional cleaning agents should not be used as they can harm the Crystal-Right media. Only “plain” solar salt, rock salt or block salts should be used. Contact your dealer for more information.

At no time do we recommend the use of resin or media cleaners in the brine tank without first contacting your authorized WaterCare dealer. Some cleaners require not only proper handling but can be detrimental to the tank’s media bed.

*Salt bridging occurs when a gap is formed between the salt and the water preventing the salt from dissolving in the water and making brine. The effects of high humidity as well as the use of some brands of purified salt products may cause bridging.

All salt, regardless of its source, may contain insoluble matter, which accumulates at the bottom of the brine tank and requires periodic cleaning. If pellet or rock salt is used, you should clean out your brine tank at least once a year. If solar salt is used, the brine tank will require less frequent cleaning. However, you should periodically check for salt bridging*.

For CareSoft Series Softeners:

We recommend the use of solar salt for best results. Water softeners and conditioners manufactured by WaterCare can support the use of potassium chloride (KCI) as a regenerant in lieu of sodium chloride.

For TotalCare Series Conditioners:

WARNING: Do not use salt containing mineral bed cleaners. Salts that claim any iron cleaners, rust savers, or additional cleaning agents should not be used as they can harm the Crystal-Right media. Only “plain” solar salt, rock salt or block salts should be used. Contact your dealer for more information.

At no time do we recommend the use of resin or media cleaners in the brine tank without first contacting your authorized WaterCare dealer. Some cleaners require not only proper handling but can be detrimental to the tank’s media bed.

*Salt bridging occurs when a gap is formed between the salt and the water preventing the salt from dissolving in the water and making brine. The effects of high humidity as well as the use of some brands of purified salt products may cause bridging.

A quick way to check and eliminate this problem is to press your knee against the side of the brine tank and listen for the salt to readjust inside the tank. You can also take a broom handle and make a mark about 30 inches from the end and carefully begin to probe down through the salt with the handle. If an obstruction is found before the mark on the broom handle reaches the rim of the brine tank, a bridge has probably developed. Continue probing to break up the bridge.

WaterCare® dealers offer a variety of water treatment systems to address all possible water quality issues, including hard water, sulfur, high/low pH, and more. These systems come with patented features and are professionally installed by our local dealers with ongoing support, maintenance, repairs, and salt delivery services.  

Our water treatment systems include:

• Water softeners
• Water filters
• Drinking water systems
• Commercial water treatment systems

If you are ready for cleaner, more enjoyable water from a local WaterCare® professional, follow these three easy steps:

1. Find your local dealer: Use the "Find a Dealer" feature to locate your local water treatment company. You can scroll to the top of the page and enter your zip code to be paired with a dealer instantly, or you can select your state from the Find a Dealer page.
2. Contact the dealer: Once you have been paired with your local WaterCare® dealer, you can review their profile for more information about their company, including their bio and services! From there, you can contact them online by filling out the free estimate form or call the number listed to schedule an on-site water test and consultation.
3. Schedule an on-site water test and consultation: When you schedule an on-site water test and consultation, your WaterCare® technician will show up on time to carefully evaluate your water, review the test results, go over your questions and concerns, recommend the best system for your needs, explain the installation process, and provide a free estimate!

It can be concerning when you notice a change in water quality or system performance. But there is no reason to worry — WaterCare® can help you troubleshoot common issues and provide routine maintenance, repairs, and other services! If you suspect issues with your water treatment equipment, here are some instructions on identifying and possibly fixing those concerns:

• Check to see if the system is connected to the power source. You should also see if the circuit breaker was not tripped.
• Evaluate the equipment to check for leaks, pooling water around the system, clogged pipes or filters, and valves to ensure they are positioned correctly and open.
• See if the filters are clogged, damaged, or worn. If this is the case, this will cause issues with system efficiency but may be fixed by cleaning or replacing filters, if necessary.
• Check to see if caps are tightly fit on the brine tank and well. You can see if salt readjusts by pressing your knee on the side of the tank and listening. If you hear an obstruction, you can use a broom handle to break it up.
• Check if there is salt build-up on the brine line float inside the tank. Do this by flushing the line and seeing if the tank fills with water during regeneration.
• See if the drain line is bent or clogged by checking if there is a high level of water in the salt tank.
• Check if the flow meter is clogged or damaged. If it is, it cannot properly detect the water flow.
• See whether there is an issue with the regeneration cycle by checking if the timer settings are correct and working.

If you have trouble inspecting the system or cannot solve the problem, contact your local WaterCare® dealer for assistance, maintenance, repairs, or other services. Also, remember that regular inspections, service appointments, and repairs will prevent issues and ensure safe, clean water in the long run!

Testing your water is important in order to know if there is anything harmful that you may be drinking. If someone in the home is pregnant, elderly, or a newborn they become especially at high risk for contaminants. Also, it prevents your pipes, water heater, appliances and more from breaking down at a faster rate or clogging.