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Clean Water & Quality Service
Protect Your Equipment & Your Investment
By Reducing Hardness Minerals & Bad Taste
Providing World Class Water Conditioning Services For 50 Years
FAQ's
What is a water softener used for?
A water softener (also called water conditioner) is a system that reduces hardness minerals in the water. Hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) deposits are found in laundry washers, dish machines, coffee equipment, kitchen sprayers, and on other elements where hot water is used. Results can be damaging to these machines and produce a spotty or stained finish.
How does a softener work?
A water softener is a device that treats incoming water, converting it from "hard" to "soft." This process begins with magnesium and calcium rich water entering the water softener, where it encounters beads (resin) that have a negative charge. The positively charged magnesium and calcium ions cling to these beads as the water travels through them. They are then replaced with sodium ions, which "soften" the water. The water is then transferred into the facility.
Once the beads are saturated with high amounts of magnesium and calcium ions, a timer or computer triggers a process called regeneration. In this stage, the softener injects a high concentration of sodium ions (known as brine, generally from standard salt) that, with their positive charge, attach to the negatively charged beads and force the magnesium and calcium ions off. The magnesium and calcium ions are then flushed out of the water softener along with any excess sodium ions.
Will a water softener change the taste of my water?
No, the taste is not affected in any way. Although a water softener uses salt during the regeneration process only, the system is flushed out before the softener is back on line. Traces of salt are so minimal that they cannot be detected by taste, nor do they pose a health threat to persons on a low sodium diet.
My area is restricted from installing water softeners. What are my options?
During softener regeneration, water is flushed and drained through city plumbing. Some areas prohibit this, therefore, do not allow automatic water softener units to be installed. Eversoft provides portable water softener exchange tanks that are available for delivery on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule. The regeneration process occurs at our plant and is in full operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure our commercial and industrial customers are continuously provided with soft water.
*Service available for commercial and industrial only
How do I know if I’m located in a restricted area?
Restricted areas are scattered nationwide, however, you may call your local water department to find out if your area is banned from automatic water softener installation.
How can I determine if the water is hard?
Contact your local water department as ask what the hardness is for your area. Water hardness fluctuates, so you may want to purchase a test kit to monitor this. It is simple to use and is available through Eversoft for purchase.
You may receive a reading in PPM (parts per million). Divide this figure by 17.1 and you will get the GPG (hardness grains per gallon) figure, which is commonly used in the industry. Below is the standard water hardness chart:
Less than 1.0 GPG = Soft
1.0– 3.5 = Slightly Hard
3.5 – 7.0 = Moderately Hard
7.0 – 10.5 = Hard
10.5 and higher = Very Hard
What is a filter?
Filters control the taste and odors in your ice, water, and beverages. They are normally mounted to a wall or can sometimes be installed in a cabinet or under a sink. There are 4 types of filtration commonly used in the industry:
• Sediment – Traps dirt and removes larger particles from the water
• Carbon – Removes foul odors and improves taste
• Siliphos- Protects ice machines from clogging (not recommended for beverages)
• UV – Neutralizes bacteria formation in the water
How often should my filters be changed out?
Industry standards recommend that filters are to be changed out every 6 months. If you are experiencing low water pressure (or clogging) before 6 months, you may need a filter with more capacity or change them out every 3 months.
What is a carbon backwash system/filter?
This system looks and operates similar to the softener, but does not require salt. Rather than placing filters at each beverage station, this system feeds your main potable cold water line to remove foul taste, odors and improves the taste of potable water throughout your operation.
How often should my carbon backwash system be serviced?
Carbon backwash systems, when sized correctly, should be serviced once a year. The carbon media inside the tank should then be discarded and replaced.
Can you recommend a service company in my area?
Eversoft provides service nationwide. Give us a call and we’ll handle all your water quality equipment service needs.
Service Problem Questions
Problem: Spotty dishes
First, make sure your softener is plugged in. If not, plug it in and reset the timer. If you cannot reset your timer, call our service department to request service.Watch video on how to reset a timer
Next, check your brine tank and make sure there is salt in it. If not, pour some in. The softener will regenerate automatically (within 24 hours) and this should fix the problem. If neither applies, then call our service department to request service.
Problem: Hot water pressure is low
Your resin (the filter media inside the softener tank) may need to be replaced. Place the unit into bypass and monitor your water flow. If the water flow resumes, it may be bad resin. Call your local water softening company and place a service call. The Resin may need replacing.
Problem: Low water pressure at water and/or beverage station
Place your filters and/or carbon backwash system into bypass and observe pressure. If it returns normal, it is likely your filter cartridges need to be changed out. Contact your local water softener company for service.
Problem: Leaking equipment
Place your equipment into bypass immediately and call your water softening company. Failure to do so may result in damages that you will be responsible for! Placing the equipment in bypass will stop the leak temporarily until a technician arrives. You will still receive incoming water, however it will be city water only.
Problem: There are gold or black particles in my water
Gold/Brownish
– May be an indication of water softener resin in your lines. Place your softener equipment into bypass immediately and call your water softening company. Failure to do so may result in damages.
Black Particles or Grey Water
– May be found after your filter was just changed out/serviced. It is a possible indication of carbon in the water line. Flush the application until water or beverages run clear. If there are still black particles after a couple of minutes, call (the company who changed your filter) for service.
Problem: My softener/central filtration system keeps running or draining
If the system stops after a while, the timer is off and needs to be reset. (See the instructional video on how to reset your timer.) If it continues to run, this indicates your system is stuck in regeneration mode. Place the unit in bypass and call for service.
Problem: My water tastes salty
Place the water softener in bypass and call for service.
Problem: My beverages have a foul taste or odor
It is industry standard that filters cartridges are changed out every 6 months. Central filtration systems (a tank that sits on the ground rather than mounted to a wall) should be serviced every 12 months. Call your local filtration company to replace your cartridges.
Problem: My filter was just changed out/serviced, and now my water flow has spurts of air coming out
This is normal. Continue to run water or beverages from the application until all air bubbles are gone. This should only take a minute or so.
Cloudy / Milky water
Indication of air in the lines, often noticed after filter service . Draw a glass of water and let it set. If it clears after a minute it is air in the lines, flush lines until clear.
