FAQs

One of the easiest ways to tell if your water softener is working is by paying attention to how your soap reacts. Soft water creates a rich, smooth lather with very little product. If you suddenly notice that your body wash or shampoo takes more effort to foam, you may be dealing with hard water again.

A working water softener removes calcium and magnesium—the minerals that prevent soap from lathering. When those minerals creep back into your water supply, it’s a sign your softener may need attention.

Before your softener was installed, you probably saw white or chalky spots on faucets, shower doors, sinks, and dishes. These marks are caused by hard-water minerals sticking to surfaces. When your water softener is working correctly, those stains should be minimal or completely gone.

If you notice these spots returning—especially quickly—it suggests that your softener may not be softening all the water in your home. This can happen for a few reasons: the system may need salt, the resin bed may be exhausted, or the softener might need a service appointment.

Soft water feels smooth, almost silky. Some people describe it as slippery because soap rinses off more easily. Hard water, on the other hand, leaves your skin feeling tight or dry.

If you feel that familiar dryness coming back, or your laundry feels stiff again, it could mean your softener isn’t doing its job. This is one of the most noticeable signs you’ll experience day-to-day.

A quick water hardness test is one of the most reliable ways to check if your system is functioning. You can test your water in two ways:

At-home test strips

These are simple test strips that change color when dipped into water. Test the water from a softened tap first, then test water from an outside spigot (which usually bypasses the softener). If the readings are similar, the softener may not be softening.

Professional water test

Guardian Soft Water or another trusted water professional can provide a hardness test with precise results. This not only tells you if the softener is working—it can also reveal whether your system is the right size for your home and whether your resin is still performing the way it should.

Low salt is one of the most common reasons a softener stops working. Your brine tank should never be completely empty. The salt helps recharge the resin that removes minerals from your water. When there isn’t enough salt, the system can’t complete the regeneration cycle.

Signs your tank may need attention :

• The salt level is low or completely gone
• You see hardened salt forming a "cave" or crust at the top
• Water is sitting above the salt level

If any of these issues show up, you may simply need to refill the salt—or you may need a cleaning to fix salt bridging.

It might seem like good news if your system stops consuming salt—but it may actually be a sign that it has stopped working. When a softener is operating properly, it uses salt regularly during regeneration. A sudden drop in salt use is worth investigating.

Hard water is rough on water-using appliances. Over time, mineral scale can build up inside water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing their efficiency and lifespan.

If you notice:

• Cloudy glassware
• Soap residue in the dishwasher
• Reduced water pressure in faucets
• Higher energy bills

It may be a sign your softener isn’t fully removing minerals.

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve checked the salt, looked for buildup, tested the water, and still aren’t sure, it’s completely reasonable to bring in help. At Guardian Soft Water, customers often call with sincere questions about whether their system is doing what it should. Sometimes it’s something simple like the wrong resin for local water conditions. Other times, the unit might need service or replacement.

A professional can :

• Test your water accurately
• Inspect your resin bed
• Check the control valve and settings
• Confirm you have the right system for your home
• Recommend solutions for drinking water concerns, including reverse osmosis systems