Regenerating Your Water Softener

Introduction
This article looks in detail at using and maintaining a water softener for use with a commercial dishwasher or glasswasher. We will discuss why it is essential that every ware washer is used in conjunction with a softener and why you also should regenerate yours regularly to ensure it is in tip-top condition and functioning as it should be. We will then also look briefly at how you go about regenerating the salt in yours.

water softener systems

Why Use a Water Softener
It is essential that you use a water softener with every ware washer, glass washer, commercial dishwasher or even ice machine (Whilst those fitted to ice machines are actually "water filters" rather than softeners, they operate in a very similar way). In most cases, manufacturers of warewashers won't actually validate the warranty on their machines in circumstances where you live in a hard water area and one is not used.

WATER SOFTENER

Essentially it works through a chemical reaction, removing the lime scale from mains water in hard water areas. Lime scale will and can build up on elements, moving parts, pipe work and pumps and over time will render your machine useless. Even before the damage is done, you will see the inside of your machine turning white around elements and wash arms etc and wash results begin to drop. In extreme cases, where lime scale has built up glasses will also begin to come out stained and white and beer head retention will be incredibly poor.

You must use a softener if you live in a hard water area to ensure that your machine lasts as long as it should, that your machine washes as it should and ultimately your glasses come out clean and you don't have to pay out for an engineer.

Why Do I need To Regenerate My Water Softener?
You need to regenerate your softener because of the way that they work. Water with lime scale in it that comes straight from the mains is run through the salt in the softener which dissolves and removes the lime scale. With time the build up of scale on the salt becomes so great that it can no longer remove any more and lime scale will find its way back into your machine.

Depending on how hard the water in your area is, you should change your salt up to every week. A good judge of how often is when you start to see the elements in the machine turning white or the inside of the cabinet starts to have lime scale build up. Be careful with this, you don't want too much scale build up before you act otherwise the damage can already be done!

How Do I Regenerate My Water Softener?
It's easy and very cheap to regenerate the salt in your softener. Although each and every softener out there is slightly different, generally you can unscrew the top and top up with fresh salt which can be bought from any reputable catering and janitorial supplies outlet and commercial dishwasher & glass washer emporium.

For more information on how to regenerate your particular model, do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer or supplier. If you cannot find this, contact the manufacturer or supplier of your machine. In the interest of keeping their machine working and washing properly they will always be happy to help.

Regenerating Your Water Softener

WATER SOFTENER