Parts of a Water Softener System

Gary Monks • September 2, 2022

Guide to Understanding Your Water Softener

If you have hard water, you may have begun researching your options for resolving this issue. A water softener is a great way to help soften your water and make it more palatable along with other various benefits. However, you may be wondering how this technology works before you make the decision to purchase it.

Components of a Water Softener

When it comes to salt-based water softeners, they are simple machines. They consist of three main parts, including:

Brine Tank

This is a shorter tank that stores salt for the system. This tank holds up to 300lbs of salt or more. This tank is used to create a highly concentrated saltwater solution called brine which is used for regeneration.

Resin Tank

This is a taller tank where the water softening takes place. This tank contains a bed of resin that is covered in sodium ions.

Head Valve

The head valve, also called the control valve, is located on top of the resin tank. This is the part of the softener that operates the system and puts it through the various cycles. It also controls the water flow direction and the rate of water flow.

Other crucial parts of a water softener include:

Valve Motor

This motor is used to rotate the rotor valve so that it can perform different operation modes like regeneration and softening.

Built-in Bypass

This bypass turns off the water supply to the softener to allow for regeneration, repair, and maintenance. This is not available for every water softener model.

Softening Resin Media

Resin media is a natural or synthetic material similar to sand. It is typically a polystyrene compound.

Salt

Salt is mixed with water to create a highly concentrated solution of sodium chloride.

Flowmeter

This component is used to measure the amount of water that passes through the softener and is not available for all models.

Riser Tube

Also called the distribution tube, the riser tube is located in the center of the resin tank and works to channel water out of the resin tank and to the head valve. This tub has a basket at the bottom that prevents the resin from leaving the tank.

Fill Tube

This tube is used to connect the brine tank to the head valve, drawing brine during regeneration and also drawing brine to refill the brine tank.

Brine Float Assembly

This component safely shuts off the water supply at a certain level to prevent overfilling.

Brine Injector

This injector works by sucking brine into the resin tank and uses mesh or a type of screen to trap any dirt.

Pre-Filter

This is another optional feature that traps particles such as silt or sand to help extend the life of the water softener. This is a crucial part if the water is coming from a well.

Grid Plate

The grid plate is placed inside the brine tank. The salt grid sets the volume of the water in the brine tank, which allows for a measured quantity of saturated salt brine, which contains a fixed amount of dissolved salt per gallon of water.

How Does A Water Softener Work?

Now that you understand the various components that make up a water softener, we can move on to how they all work together to soften the water.

Hard water is distributed to your home containing hardness minerals such as magnesium and calcium as well as manganese and iron. When you utilize a water softener, the water comes in from your main supply line, which then passes the bypass and enters the head valve. From this point, the water is directed to the resin tank and then down to the distribution tube.

As it travels to the tube, the water comes in contact with the resin beads that have been saturated with sodium ions or, in some cases, potassium. These beads remove the hard minerals from the water through ion exchange. This is a process where the positively charged hardness ions attach to the negatively charged ion beads, which then replace the hardness minerals with sodium.

Once the minerals are removed, the water comes up the riser, flows into the head valve, and is distributed through the home.

Water Softener Installation Services in Butler

At Aqua Solutions, we can help you determine the best water softening solution for your home. Call today to speak with our expert team!

< Older Post Newer Post >

Author: Gary Monks

Gary Monks has led Aqua Solutions since 1997, earning recognition as a water treatment expert with 25 years of experience. Renowned in Butler, he has won the Best Water Treatment award for three years and actively supports the community, including local sports and radio engagements.

How Water Filtration Provides Clean Water & Healthy Homes

How Water Filtration Provides Clean Water, Thriving Plants, and Healthy Homes

By Gary Monks • March 10, 2025

Improve your home’s water quality! Learn how water filtration ensures clean drinking water, supports plant growth, and promotes a healthier living environment.

How Water Quality Impacts the Taste of Your Food and Drinks

January 31, 2025

If you love hot drinks like tea or coffee or enjoy cooking, you're likely always looking to improve the quality and health of the daily foods and beverages you and your family consume. Why Water Filtration is Important for Your Home Water quality is crucial in many ways. High-quality water can elevate the tastes and textures of your favorite foods and beverages, making them safer and healthier for your family. By installing a water filtration system, you can: Keep Your Family Safe and Healthy The most important benefit of home water filtration installation is that it helps you achieve clean, contaminant-free water. Water filtration enables you to reduce your risk of waterborne illness, giving you peace of mind that your food and drinks are healthy and safe. Enhance The Taste of Food and Drinks In addition to increasing the safety of your food and drinks, high-quality water makes your favorite beverages and foods' natural flavors shine. Poor-quality water can introduce unwanted flavors, such as metallic tastes or chlorine, that can ruin the taste and quality of your foods and drinks. Impure water can also smell bad, making the aroma of food or drinks unpleasant. Additionally, water high in chemicals or impurities can make your taste buds less sensitive, reducing the flavor you experience in food and beverages. Get Better Cooking and Baking Results Water is an essential ingredient in many recipes. Higher-quality water can improve cooking and baking results. Water that is free from impurities and chemicals can help you achieve better texture and consistency, properly hydrate other ingredients, and achieve a better rise or fluffiness in your baked goods. How Water Filtration Works and Options for Your Home Water filtration removes contaminants, impurities, and unwanted elements from your water supply, ensuring that the water you and your family use is clean, safe, and better-tasting. Filtration systems achieve this through various processes, such as physical filtration to block particles, chemical treatment to neutralize harmful substances, and biological filtration to remove bacteria and microorganisms. The result is water that meets health standards and improves overall quality of life. When it comes to home water filtration, there are several options to suit your specific needs that we specialize in here at Aqua Solutions: UV Filtration Ultraviolet (UV) light filtration is a highly effective and chemical-free method for disinfecting drinking water. It exposes microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa to a germicidal wavelength of UV light. This exposure damages their DNA, rendering them inactive and unable to reproduce. UV filtration is an excellent solution for homeowners who want to ensure their water is free from harmful pathogens. It provides peace of mind and safer drinking water for your household. Reverse Osmosis Reverse osmosis (RO) is a powerful water filtration system that delivers exceptionally pure water by removing a wide range of contaminants. This system typically includes a small retaining tank, often installed in the basement, to store purified water for easy access. RO systems use a combination of sediment filters and advanced filter technologies, including carbon filters, to improve the taste and smell of water. These systems effectively eliminate heavy metals, pesticides, and dissolved solids, making them a top choice for homeowners seeking high-quality drinking water. Standard Filters Standard filters are a versatile and commonly used option for improving water quality. They come in two primary designs: cartridge devices and loose media tank-style systems. Sediment filters, a type of standard filter, are specifically designed to remove grit, particulates, and debris from the water. Additionally, standard filters can address unpleasant odors, discoloration, bad taste, and iron content. They provide a simple, affordable way to enhance your water's clarity and quality. Water Softeners Water softeners are designed to combat the challenges of hard water, which is caused by high levels of minerals like magnesium and calcium. These systems use a mineral tank filled with resonated media, such as resin or plastic beads, to filter out these hard particles. The media has a negative electrical charge, which attracts the positively charged minerals in the water. Water softeners are available in two main types: ion exchange systems, which replace hard minerals with sodium ions, and dual-tank systems, which feature two resin tanks for continuous operation. By softening the water, these systems prevent scale buildup, improve appliance efficiency, and enhance the feel of water for daily use. Ready to Enhance Your Home's Water? Call Aqua Solutions Today! Aqua Solutions is your top choice for home water filtration installation in Butler and beyond. Call today to learn which water filtration system works best for your home and get cleaner, healthier water!