How to add salt to a water softener

We'll add salt to the brine tank so the softener keeps working.

What you'll need

At a glance

Check the brine tank—the smaller tank next to the mineral tank—and add salt when the level is low.
Use pellets or crystals designed for water softeners; avoid rock salt with high dirt content.
Fill the tank to at least half full—never let it run completely empty.
Do not overfill—leave 4–6 inches of space below the brine well to prevent salt bridging.
If the salt forms a hard bridge, break it up with a broom handle before adding more salt.

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Goal: Keep the brine tank full so the softener regenerates properly.

Open the brine tank lid. Check the salt level.
Good: Salt is above half—add when it drops. Bad: Salt is low or bridged. Proceed to Check for bridging.

Goal: Break any salt bridge before adding more salt.

Goal: Fill the tank with the correct salt type.

Use pellets or crystals for water softeners. Pour until the tank is at least half full. Leave 4–6 inches below the brine well.
Good: Tank is half full or more. Proceed to Verification.
Bad: Wrong salt type—use softener salt; rock salt may clog the system.

Call a plumber or water treatment specialist if:

The softener is not regenerating or you still have hard water after adding salt.
The brine tank has a persistent odor or the water is very dirty.
The softener displays an error code or alarm.

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

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