Taking care of your water softener is key to getting it to last for many years. But eventually, there will come a day when you need to dispose of it. What’s the best way to go about this?
When it comes to materials inside the softener, such as resin and salt, these can be emptied directly into your trash. Resin is made from acrylic and polystyrene and cannot be recycled.
The next step is disposing of the device itself – which usually consists of plastic parts. Depending on your local jurisdiction, you may be able to recycle some of them or you may need to throw out these components in the trash can.
How Long Should Your Water Softener Last?
Before jumping into the details of how to get rid of your water softener, let’s take a look at just how long it should last. Generally speaking, you can expect your water softener to stick around for about 10 years before needing replacement. Some might go to 15 and others could reach 20 – it all depends on usage and maintenance.
If you use a lot of water in your home, then that will put more strain on the internal components, leading to a shorter lifespan than if you used less. To ensure peak performance from your unit, regular regeneration is necessary, so be sure to keep up with this task as much as possible for optimal longevity!
When shopping around for new units, we always read reviews carefully; some are made using higher quality materials which can drastically improve their life expectancy when compared to cheaper models like those found elsewhere. For instance, DROP provides top-notch options that are designed for satisfaction and reliability over time!
Waste Disposal: How Do You Dispose of Your Water Softener?
Once your water softener has run its course, it’s time to properly dispose of it. Before you turn it off and start tossing the unit into the garbage can, be sure to check with local guidelines from your county as some may have different regulations for disposing of a water softener. It’s important not to include any resin or salt when discarding – these materials might be hazardous in certain areas and should always be removed beforehand.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly route, you can recycle most parts of a water softener, including plastics, after removing all traces of resin and salt. If unsure about what is permitted in terms of recycling, don’t hesitate to reach out directly to your local government authorities for clarification on their rules and regulations before moving forward with disposal plans. Most locations accept major appliances.
Once everything is cleared up by following proper protocol, there shouldn’t remain anything hazardous that requires special care. Always consider other options municipal recycling day, and remember that you can take the softener to the center yourself on specified recycling drop off days by your county.
What About the Water Softener Resin?
If you’ve decided it’s time for your water softener to go and it doesn’t make sense to replace the resin, there is one important step in the disposal process: getting rid of the ion exchange resin. To ensure that everything goes smoothly and according to plan, make sure you read up on how best to empty out your resin tank from the manual that came with your water softener.
It will be helpful if you take into account that most tanks come in a narrow neck design. Emptying can easily be done by tipping over your tank and pouring its contents into a sturdy container such as a bucket or bag. Keep in mind though – this stuff can get heavy, so make sure whatever vessel you choose has enough strength! You may want extra protection against any potential rupturing of the trash bag, so double-bagging might be smart.
You should avoid mixing resin beads together with regular household waste; they could tear through garbage bags which would cause an enormous mess all over the floor.
Please note that resin cannot actually be recycled since it’s made from acrylic and polystyrene combined – tossing them directly into recycling bins won’t work! The only option left is to dispose of these beads via general waste collection services.
What About Water Softener Salt From the Brine Tank?
You might be asking yourself what to do with the water softener salt. Well, it’s quite simple – just like your water softener resin, you can get rid of it by bagging up the salt and throwing it in with the rest of your household trash. Unfortunately, these bags are not recyclable, so they must go into the bin instead!
But if you want to make a more conscious effort towards sustainability, then there are other ways that you can utilize this kind of salt as well. For instance, why not dissolve some in your bathwater and let it run down the drain afterward? Or throw it out on an icy sidewalk, then you’ll no longer have to worry about pesky snow or ice build-up when shoveling.
Plus, if those weeds start appearing again in your garden, don’t forget that sprinkling a bit of salt around them should take care of them (just be sure not to kill off any trees though!).
How Do You Choose a New Water Softener?
Choosing a new water softener can seem like an intimidating task, but with the right research and consideration, it doesn’t have to be. Here are some key factors that should help you find the ideal water softener for your home:
The Size
The size of your water softener is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a new one. Take into account both how much water it can handle at once and what kind of volume your house uses daily, so that you don’t end up with something too small or too large.
If you purchase one that’s not powerful enough, it could lead to more frequent maintenance needs. If your water softener is bigger than necessary, however, you may have spent too much money unnecessarily. Take our quick quiz to find out what size you need.
The Maintenance Required
Along with taking size into consideration when selecting a new system, make sure to look at what kind of maintenance is required in order to ensure optimal performance over time. Reviews from other users will provide insight on whether certain models require more upkeep than others – this information could prove useful in helping narrow down which systems might work best for you.
The Durability
The durability of potential systems shouldn’t go unnoticed either. Although price tags often catch our eye first – thinking about how long each unit would last can help you save money by extending the life of the water softener itself. DROP offers high-quality filters and water softeners designed specifically with longevity in mind – making them great options worth researching thoroughly before deciding which softener to buy!
Find the Best Water Softeners at DROP
If you want your water softener to keep running efficiently for as long as possible, invest in a high-quality unit from DROP. Our selection of top-notch water softeners and filters can help meet all of your needs. Check out our inventory today!
