Symptoms
- Salt level appears high but never seems to lower
- Tapping the outside of the tank sounds hollow partway down
- Water is hard despite plenty of visible salt
- Salt looks solid or cemented together
Likely causes
- CommonHumidity and temperature fluctuationsMoisture in the tank causes salt near the top to dissolve slightly and re-harden into a crust.
- CommonUsing the wrong type of saltLow-purity or fine salt tends to bridge more easily than pellet or evaporated salt made for softeners.
- PossibleTank kept too full for too longSalt sitting undisturbed for a long time is more likely to bond into a solid mass.
What to do
- Turn off or bypass the softener before working inside the brine tank.
- Use a broom handle, plastic pole, or similar tool to carefully break up the crust, pushing down along the inside edge of the tank.
- Avoid using a sharp metal tool that could puncture the plastic tank.
- Once broken up, stir gently to help the salt settle and dissolve normally.
- Run a manual regeneration cycle to flush the system and confirm normal operation.
- Keep the salt level between one-quarter and one-half full going forward, and use a softener-specific pellet salt to reduce future bridging.
Tools and parts
- Broom handle or plastic dowel
Water softener pellet saltSearch: “water softener salt pellets”
When to call a pro
A technician isn't usually needed for a salt bridge, but call one if breaking it up doesn't restore normal softening.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.