The short answer
Check the salt at least once a month and keep the brine tank at least half full. That is the guidance from Diamond Crystal and on Morton's bags. Morton Water Softeners adds that a system needs at least 12 inches of salt to recharge properly.
The monthly check
Diamond Crystal's advice is to check the salt level at least once a month and keep the tank at least half full. Morton prints nearly the same line on its bags: check the salt levels, keeping the tank at least half full.
How often you actually add salt depends on how fast you use it. At Morton's average of about two bags every two months, most homes are topping up roughly monthly. See the usage numbers.
How full is full enough
If the water sits much higher than the salt, or the salt looks full but the water never touches it, look for a salt bridge before adding more. How to spot and fix one.
- Salt: at least half full, per Morton and Diamond Crystal.
- Minimum depth: at least 12 inches of salt, per Morton Water Softeners, for the system to recharge properly.
- Water: Morton Salt says 2 to 5 inches of water at the bottom of the tank is typical.
What happens if it runs out
The softener needs brine to clean its resin. Morton Water Softeners puts it plainly: without the brine, the resin bed does not regenerate and you will have hard water. In a town where the tap runs 19 to 37 grains per gallon, you notice fast.
Topping up without causing problems
- Stick with one shape. Morton Water Softeners recommends pellets or crystals, not a mix, because mixing can raise the risk of bridging. Diamond Crystal says most salts can be mixed, so check your softener's manual.
- Break it up every few weeks. Morton Water Softeners suggests pushing a broom handle or another round-ended tool into a few spots to keep the salt movable.
- Use salt made for softeners. Morton Water Softeners recommends salt that is 99% pure or better and labeled for water softeners.
Or skip the check entirely
With a Simply Salt plan, a smart sensor sits in your brine tank and reads the level day and night. When you run low, our team gets the alert and schedules a refill, and we carry the bags in and pour them into the tank. You do not need to be home as long as the softener is accessible. How the sensor works.
Common questions
At least once a month, according to Diamond Crystal. Keep the tank at least half full, which is also the guidance on Morton's bags.
Morton Salt says 2 to 5 inches of water at the bottom of the salt storage tank is typical.
Morton Water Softeners says a system needs at least 12 inches of salt to recharge properly.
The makers disagree. Morton Water Softeners says to stick with one shape because mixing can raise the risk of a salt bridge. Diamond Crystal says most salts can be mixed. Follow your softener's manual.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below or from Simply Salt's own published plan details.
