How big are resin beads?

What Is Resin? Resin is the ion exchange media used commonly in water softening applications. The most widely used resin in the industry is polystyrene-type gel resin. This resin has a very porous, skeletal structure and each bead ranges in size from 0.3-1.2mm, containing approximately 45% moisture.

What size are water softener lines?

You will need to purchase flexible 1/2″ ID (5/8″ OD) plastic pipe. You can use braided vinyl, polyethylene, or PEX pipe. The plastic piping should have a minimum pressure rating of 75 psi. The same size and type can be used in steps 4 and 8.

How long do water softener resin beads last?

10 to 15 years
If your water softener doesn’t put out any soft water or it regenerates and runs out of soft water quickly (in just a day or so), you probably have a damaged “resin bed.” A water softener resin bed normally lasts 10 to 15 years.

What do water softener resin beads look like?

They look a bit like brown sugar granules. Water softener resin is not toxic, and the beads can’t escape from the water softener cylinder. Each resin is sodium charged, calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to the resin, sodium ions jump off the resin. This is ion exchange.

What is the resin in a water softener?

The Water Softening Process Resin consists of small plastic spheres that are packed in a “bed” inside the water softener tank. The resin beads hold a negative charge that will attract any positively charged ions. The pre-charged resin beads are initially coated with sodium ions, which naturally hold a positive charge.

How do you flush the resin out of a water softener?

Follow these steps to flush the resin beads out of your plumbing system:

1. Close the valves to the water softener and open the bypass valve.
2. Drain and flush your water heater.
3. Remove all screens on your faucet.
4. Open the cold water valves throughout your home.
5. Flush and clean the water supply from the washer.

How far can you run water softener drain line?

Water softener drain line routing: Keep the water softener drain piping as short and low as possible: less than 30 feet in length and no more than 8 feet above the floor level. The drain line must be of adequate diameter to handle the water conditioner’s backwash flow rate.

How far can brine tank be from softener?

20 feet
The brine tank should be located within 20 feet of the water softener. The drain cannot be elevated more than 36 inches or exceed 20 feet in length.

How high should resin be in water softener?

Afterwards, measure the height of the resin tank to give you a near accurate size of the tank. Depending on its size, the amount of resin should be anywhere from 0.64 to 2.00 cubic feet. When you get the amount right, you eliminate one potential source of water softener problem.

How do I calculate softener resin?

The softener capacity is calculated in three simple steps:

1. Convert water hardness from ppm to grains per US gallon. Total Hardness (ppm) = Total Hardness (gpg) Example: 118 ppm TH = 6.9 gpg;
2. Calculate softener capacity in grains.
3. Calculate softener capacity in gallons.
4. Table One: Tank Size and Resin Volume.

Where are the resin beads in a water softener?

Resin Bed
The Resin Bed is a collection of thousands of tiny resin beads inside of the water softener’s tank. When water enters the softener, it flows through the resin bed and comes into contact with the resin beads to generate soft water.

How do you measure softener resin?

How often should you replace resin in water softener?

Replacing your old control valve head can add another 10 or 20 years to your current water softener. On the average well water system, the resins will last 30 – 40 years. The resin tank will last 100 years. On chlorinated “city” water resin replacement is recommended about every 10 years.

Which is water softener resin do you need?

The majority of home water softeners use hi-cap (high capacity) resin. Some units, particularly those in use with well water, use fine-mesh resin for trapping groundwater metals. Replacement of fine-mesh resin is necessary more frequently, as iron often gets trapped within the resin and depletes its ability to soften water.

How do you replace a water softener?

How to Replace a Water Softener Resin Tank Step 1 – Cutting off the water line Step 2 – Open the water softener Step 3 – Separate the resin tank from the softener Step 4 – Putting everything back

Do water softeners wear out?

Like all household appliances, water softeners eventually wear out. If you’re finding that you’re having to call to have your softener serviced often and the repair parts and labor are adding up, it may be time weigh the costs.