Here are some of the most popular types of water softener resins used in residential and small commercial water softeners:
- 8% cation resin – This is the most commonly used resin. It is an 8% cross-linked cation gel, in sodium form.
- Fine resin – This is a small diameter bead that has a greater surface area (on a volume basis). It is marketed as having a higher capacity than conventional resin.
How do you replace resin in a water softener?
- Turn off water
- Disconnect plumbing
- Unscrew control head
- Lay softener tank on side, or over trash can
- Insert garden hose
- Allow water to rinse the old resin out.
- Discard old resin
- Save old gravel
- Stand tank upright
- Place tape over the opening in the product tube
What is the best water softener to get?
Best of the Best. Whirlpool. WHESFC Pro Series Hybrid Water Softener. Check Price. Household Filtration. Bottom Line. This professional-grade water softener installs directly into the water supply to remove harsh contaminates and toxic materials. Pros. Prevents hard water buildup and softens drinking water all in 1 tank.
What is the best water softner brand?
⭐ Reviews – Best Water Softener 2022
- Best Overall & Salt-Free: SpringWell Futuresoft Salt-free Water Softener. ...
- Best Salt-Based: SpringWell Salt Based Water Softener System. ...
- Runner Up Salt-Based: SoftPro Elite. ...
- Runner Up Salt-Free: Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener Alternative System. ...
- Budget Choice: Fleck 5600SXT. ...
- Best Electronic: Yarna Capacitive Electronic Water Descaler. ...
What are the benefits of water softener?
Benefits of Water Softeners:
- Nourished skin: Hard water, when interacts with soap, reduces its efficiency. ...
- Smooth and silky hair: Your hair needs more shampoo for a wash if the water is hard. ...
- No need for bottled water: The hard water in taps is not drinking safe anymore. ...
Do all water softeners use the same resin?
Not all water softener resin is the same. WaterBoss uses “fine mesh” resin, which is much smaller, so more beads are tightly packed into the bed compared to ordinary resins.
Which resin is best for softener?
Best Water Softener ResinsDuraWater C-100E Purolite Cation Resin. ... Aquatrol Water Softener Resin. ... Oceanic Water Systems Water Softening Resin. ... ABC Waters SOFRES1 Water Replacement Softener Resin. ... LiquaGen Water Softening Ion Exchange Resin. ... iFilters Water Softener Resin. ... A-Plus Waters.
Where does water softener resin come from?
What are Water Softener Resin Beads Made Out Of? There are two primary materials that make up most resin beads: polystyrene, which is a variety of plastic common in a lot of consumer applications from K-Cups to styrofoam, and divinylbenzene, or DVB. DVB works to bond the polystyrene.
Is water softener resin hazardous?
One of the biggest questions that arise from this phenomenon,” is water softener resin toxic?” Well, you'll be happy to know that they are not. However, they do eventually clog up small appliances and fixture passages.
How often should you change the resin in a water softener?
Water softener resin will usually need to be replaced every 10 years. Resin that's exposed to high levels of chlorine, iron, or water hardness will only last around 5 years.
What is the cost of resin for a water softener?
around $200 to $400Over time, these beads become oversaturated with the minerals they're filtering and need to be replaced. It typically costs around $200 to $400 to replace resin beads.
Does vinegar clean water softener resin?
Can I put vinegar in my water softener? Yes; follow the same instructions for cleaning the tank with bleach. You can also mix the vinegar with water if you'd rather just scrub the brine tank instead of running a full cycle.
What is the life of water softener resin?
10 to 15 yearsIf your water softener doesn't put out any soft water or it regenerates and runs out of soft water quickly (in just a day or so), you probably have a damaged “resin bed.” A water softener resin bed normally lasts 10 to 15 years.
Does water softener resin break down?
Depending on these conditions, standard 8% resin will breakdown 2-10% each year. Besides removing chlorine or iron, you can also improve resin life by increasing the crosslink %. Studies show, a 10% crosslink bead will last 2x longer than an 8% bead (20 years vs. 10years).
Can water softeners cause health problems?
The calcium, iron, and magnesium removed by softening are not harmful and may be beneficial sources of essential elements needed by the body.
Can resin cause health issues?
The chemicals in epoxy resin systems can affect your health when they come in contact with your skin, or if they evaporate or form a mist or dust in the air you breathe. The main effects of overexposure are irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, skin allergies, and asthma.
Is resin toxic to humans?
Poisonous Ingredient Epoxy and resin can be poisonous if they are swallowed or their fumes are breathed in.
What resin shrinks the most?
Polyester resins have short curing time and high shrinkage that causes stress, micro cracking of resin, and imprecise adherence of resin to fibers (micro pores).
What is the best resin brand to use?
Plus, some of the top-performing epoxy resins are listed below.BEST OVERALL: NAKED FUSION Epoxy Resin Art Crystal Clear Formula.BEST BUDGET: Nicpro 16 Ounce Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit.BEST FOR RIVER TABLES: FGCI Deep Pour Epoxy Resin Kit.BEST FOR WOOD FURNITURE: TotalBoat Table Top Epoxy Resin Kit – Crystal Clear.More items...•
What is the difference in water softener resins?
Fine Mesh vs Standard Mesh Mesh size refers to the dimensions of the individual resin beads. The finer the mesh size, the smaller the beads. Smaller beads can pack together more tightly so, for a given volume of resin, fine mesh will offer more ion-exchange surface area and will do more softening.
What is softener resin made of?
Water softener resin beads are made of a food grade synthetic plastic similar to polystyrene. They look a bit like brown sugar granules. Water softener resin is not toxic, and the beads can't escape from the water softener cylinder.
What is water softener resin, and why is it important to your water softener?
If you have been researching water softeners, you may have heard about something called resin. Resin is the material used in water softeners to facilitate the process of ion exchange that collects the hard water minerals from your water. The proper functioning of a water softener depends on the effective use of its resin.
Why do you need brine in water softener?
The brine serves to replenish the sodium ions back onto the resin beads. The positive charge of the resin is strong enough to break apart the sodium chloride compound coming in from the salt water, so they are ready to begin the ion exchange process again. There are misconceptions about the level of sodium in softened water because water softeners ...
What is channeling in water softener?
The conventional approach to water softener design typically leads to an issue called channeling or tunneling within the resin. This occurs when the hard water creates a path or channel through the resin that become oversaturated with mineral ions.
Why is Hague water softener used?
Hague water softeners are engineered to assure that the water is distributed more evenly through the resin bed, thereby maximizing the use of all of the resin. Since the sodium ions attach to the surface of the resin, the more resin beads that come into contact with the water, the more effective and efficient the cycle becomes.
What is the charge of precharged resin beads?
The pre-charged resin beads are initially coated with sodium ions, which naturally hold a positive charge . Ion exchange occurs when the calcium and magnesium ions in the supply water, which are hardness minerals that naturally are positively charged, knock the sodium off their spot and instead attach to the resin beads.
Does softened water have sodium?
There are misconceptions about the level of sodium in softened water because water softeners require the use of salt. In reality, the trace amounts of sodium in softened water are virtually unnoticeable. On the plus side, the absence of mineral ions that cause hard water problems is pleasantly noticeable in many ways.
Do water softeners need salt?
Most people who are shopping for water softeners are aware that softeners use salt. What it boils down to is that the resin is needed for it to function properly. Examining the role of resin in water softening is helpful for understanding how a water softener works and why it needs salt.
How long does a water softener resin last?
There are chances that resin replacement is on your to-do list if you have been using your softener for a long time. Even if you recently purchased the softener, you will need to replace your softener in the future. So have an idea of how long resin can last.
What is fine mesh resin?
Fine mesh resin has small-sized beads that are capable of removing as much iron as possible. Sometimes fine mesh resin blends with activated carbon. Fine mesh is best suited for water that contains high amounts of iron. This will help to make the water taste better.
How Much Resin Do I Need?
When your resin begins to fail, the next logical thing to think of is how to re-bed the softener. If this is what you are considering doing, you need to know how many resin beads you need to buy. It is also important to know whether you are having too many resin beads in the water softener. If you have too much resin, water flow will not be good. So you need to know the right amount of resin bead you need. You will need to measure the circumference of the resin tank and divide it by pi (3.14) to know how much resin you need. That gives you the diameter of the resin bead tank. Now, measure the size of the tank to determine the size of your tank. Depending on the size of your tank, get the right amount of resin to reduce water softener problems. It is important to allow some room for the resin to expand. Do not fill the resin to the brim as this will cause problems.
What ions are attracted to resin beads?
Calcium and magnesium ions get attracted to the resin bead the moment they come into contact. When this happens, sodium ions jump from the resin and into the water. So sodium ions attract magnesium and calcium ions as they pass through the resin beads. The minerals stick around the beads as sodium ions free.
Why do resin beads stop working?
The other thing that can cause resin beads to stop working is an increase in generation cycles. The more regeneration you do, the more your beads wear off. Choose a water softener that can meet your water requirements for several days or weeks. It ensures that you don’t have to regenerate more often.
What is a resin bead?
So you should not have any worries about your water becoming toxic. Each resin bead is a type of synthetic plastic that resembles polystyrene. Divinylbenzene (DVB) works to bond the polystyrene.
Why do resin beads break down?
Continual exposure to high amounts of chloramines/chlorine reduce s the lifespan of resin. If the incoming water contains chlorine, the resin beads can break down with time. You will notice that the cylindrical beads are breaking down to look like mush.
What happens when you use 10% resin?
The 10% resin has more bonds that hold the beads together so that they will last longer. Over time, resin beads will fracture and break down into a mush-like paste. When this eventually happens, either the resin or the entire softener system need to be replaced.
What is ion exchange resin?
The ion exchange resin is the media that actually softens your water and so the quality of the resin inside your softener will in large part determine the life expectancy of the softener. So, what type of resin should you choose?
What is 10% cross link resin?
Lately, we have had a number of homeowners wondering if they need the 10% versus the 8% cross link. The “cross link” refers to the bonds inside the resin bead. The 10% resin has more bonds that hold the beads together so that they will last longer. Over time, resin beads will fracture and break down into a mush-like paste. When this eventually happens, either the resin or the entire softener system need to be replaced. In our opinion, the additional links in the 10% resin are not worth the dramatic increase in cost. You may pay up to 30-50% more for this slightly higher grade resin, but the added value you will get may only be a couple of years.
How long does 8% cross link resin last?
In our experience at Peterson Salt, this type of resin will last for about 20-25 years on city water that is not pre-softened. If you live in Eden Prairie, St. Paul, Minneapolis or other another city that pre-softens the water, the life expectancy of your resin will be longer because the resin bed isn’t being exhausted as often. In most city water situations, the 8% Cross Link Resin is going to work the best.
Does 8% cross link resin work?
In most city water situations, the 8% Cross Link Resin is going to work the best.
What is the best resin for water softener?
What makes the Purolite C 100E SST-60 one of the best water softener resins is that you’ll be able to save money on salt. That’s because this water softening ion exchange resin helps to ensure a more efficient system operation, prolonging running time from one automatic regeneration to the next. This, in turn, will help you to save water waste, because fewer regenerations will be needed on a weekly basis.
How long does a water softener last?
A good water softener can offer a quality performance for up to 20 years – but not without proper care and attention. While some water softener resins can last throughout the entire lifespan of the water softener, others will need changing after around 10 years, depending on the quality.
Is water softener resin the only thing I’ll need to replace in my softener?
No. If you’re using a salt-based softener, you’ll need to replace the salt in your system frequently – far more frequently than you’ll need replace the resin. Most softener systems require salt top-ups every three months or so.
How to tell if water softener is working?
If you’re unsure how long you’ve used your original water softener resin bed, the best thing to do is a hard water test. It goes without saying that if you’re using a salt-based water softener, whether it uses a standard ion exchange resin or a fine mesh resin, your water should be soft when it comes out of your faucets. If you have relatively hard water, that’s the most obvious sign you’ll get that your water softener resin isn’t working as it should anymore, and it’s time to replace it.
Why do water softener beads last longer?
Because these beads are more strongly bound together, they should last for a longer period of time, reducing the frequency of resin changes required. If your water supply has high levels of chlorine or iron as well as hard minerals, you’ll be best off choosing a 10% crosslink water softener resin like the LiquaGen.
Why is my water softener going bad?
These mostly relate to the quality of your home’s water source, which will determine how much wear and tear your water softener is subjected to on a daily basis.
Why do resin beads not work?
If you’re using a standard ion exchange resin and your water source contains high levels of iron , your resin beads will most likely work less effectively. That’s because the dissolved iron ions will clog up the softener resin and take up all the space, preventing hard water ions from being able to stick to the resin bed.
What is resin used for?
Resin is the ion exchange media used commonly in water softening applications. The most widely used resin in the industry is polystyrene-type gel resin. This resin has a very porous, skeletal structure and each bead ranges in size from 0.3-1.2mm, containing approximately 45% moisture. The building blocks of this type of resin are Polystyrene and Divinylbenzene (DVB). To better understand the function of the resin bead and the failure mechanisms associated with it, consider the following analogy where the spherical sponge represents polystyrene and the elastic bands represent DVB.
What is the best way to clean resin?
Chemical Cleaning: In heavily fouled systems, resin can be cleaned using a low pH solution such as Citric Acid. In chemical cleanings, uniform exposure and contact time is critical.
What is crosslinking resin?
Several elastic bands are wrapped around the sponge that is compressed more and more with each elastic band that’s added. The “bead” becomes stronger and more compact with this process known as “crosslinking”. Crosslinking varies from 2-20% DVB content, but the most commonly used in softening applications are 8% and 10%. The 10% crosslinked resin offers up to 50% longer life and 10% additional capacity than the 8% crosslinked resin. A higher degree of crosslinking leads to a decreased bead size and therefore a greater number of beads allowed per cubic foot of resin. More beads per cubic foot effectively allows for more functional groups to attract hardness ions, resulting in a greater capacity.
How does a water softener work?
Water softening is a process in which water flows through a bed of resin to exchange the hardness ions, calcium and magnesium, for sodium ions. When the resin has reached its capacity for holding hardness ions, the water softener initiates a regeneration cycle. During this cycle, a sodium chloride brine solution flows through the resin and effectively reverses the process by exchanging sodium ions for hardness ions, and flushing the hardness ions down the drain.
Why do resin beads slam?
The sudden interruption of high pressure water flow causes the resin beads to “slam” against the side of the tank and will lead to cracked and/or broken beads. Avoiding fast acting solenoid valves in the system design is advisable to minimize this risk.
Why does resin drop pressure?
An increased pressure drop across the resin bed can often be attributed to a high percentage of cracked and/or broken beads. Broken bead particles tighten the bed surface by filling the void spaces with bead particulate. “Fines” will eventually leave the system in the backwash stage of regeneration and a reduced capacity in the softener will be observed due to the decrease in exchange sites.
What is resin testing?
Resin Testing: Core samples can be obtained from the resin bed and analyzed for total capacity, moisture content, percent broken and more.
