How to Clean a Brine Well in Water Softeners

The brine well, or brine tank, of a water softener is the section that holds the salt of the unit. While the brine well does not usually need cleaning, the salt levels can harden over time or lead to mineral buildup. Debris from the bags of salt can also clog the unit. If this happens, homeowners can clean the brine well themselves with a garden hose.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Wooden spoon
• Broom handle
• Garden hose
• Wrench

Instructions

1. Put the water softener in bypass mode and remove the lid from the brine well unit.

2. Scoop out as much water as you can with a bucket.

3. Locate the float system, which is in the float housing attached to the side of the brine well. Pull the float system up and out of the housing. If it is stuck to the side of the housing because of mineral buildup, break apart the mineral buildup with a wooden spoon or broom handle.

4. Lay the brine well on its side and flush out the float housing and the main chamber of the brine well with a garden hose. Continue hosing it clean until there is no residual salt or mineral buildup left in either section of the brine well.

5. Loosen the nut on the float system, which is under the float cup, with a wrench. Lift the nut up and hose down the rubber tubing underneath to remove debris. Tighten the nut and replace the float system in the housing.

6. Refill the unit with salt according to the manufacturer's specifications.

References

• Deanza Water: Cleaning Brine Tank
• Blue Fountain Water: Water Softener Maintenance