Harveys softener question

[Murdoch]

We've had our softener nearly 7 years - over the last year or so it looking like this:

My question is why is the salt appearing like this?

Thanjs

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I’m guessing it could be overflowing and small amounts of water is passing through the seems

 

[Murdoch]

We've never noticed any moisture in the bottom of the cupboard ------------- yet!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Have you tried giving it a decent clean eg removing it and washing it out ?

 

[Murdoch]

Have you tried giving it a decent clean eg removing it and washing it out ?

no. Is that something easy to do?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

When was the last time you added salt to it

You should have an instruction manual telling you what / how to clean it out

 

[Murdoch]

We add 2 new blocks every 3 weeks or so

ill probably have to google for the manual

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Harvey are a great company to deal / speak to if you get no wear with cleaning it

 

[Frelon]

Yes, this is called Efflorescence and occurs naturally when water, with the salt (brine) now held in solution, migrates to the surface, then evaporates, leaving a coating of the salt.

You just need to clean the salt from around the salt block access. If it is possible (easy access) leave this cleaning until just before you replace the salt blocks. I usually remove my Harvey's softener every two/three years and give it a good clean, especially around the inside of the bottom of the softener. Harvey's will probably do it, for a fee

 

[Murdoch]

Yes, this is called Efflorescence and occurs naturally when water, with the salt (brine) now held in solution, migrates to the surface, then evaporates, leaving a coating of the salt.

You just need to clean the salt from around the salt block access. If it is possible (easy access) leave this cleaning until just before you replace the salt blocks. I usually remove my Harvey's softener every two/three years and give it a good clean, especially around the inside of the bottom of the softener. Harvey's will probably do it, for a fee

Top man - thanks for that - excellent advice - I'll update the thread when I have time to try this.

 

[Frelon]

My brother was a Permutit engineer 50 years ago, so the knowledge rubbed off over the years with my 4-5 different softeners (Harvey's now). Be careful with the salt when cleaning it can be quite corrosive, especially on exposed copper work

 

[GerryB]

Our Kinetico does the same, especially during humid weather.
It's not faulty, just lightly scrape or rub it off and put the salt back into the machine where the blocks go.