A brine tank is a plain container, but it collects sludge and debris over time, and a dirty tank can throw off how much salt the softener uses and how well it draws brine. Cleaning it is one of the few softener jobs many homeowners can do themselves. Whether you should depends on your comfort with the steps, the safety limits, and what you might miss that a technician would catch.
What the job involves
Cleaning the brine tank usually means stopping the unit's cycle as the manual directs, removing the salt and rinsing out the sludge that has settled at the bottom, clearing the brine well or float area, and checking that the brine valve and float move freely. Each manufacturer has its own steps, and the owner's manual is the first authority. Plan for the work to take longer than you expect, since the old salt has to go somewhere and the tank must be fully rinsed before it is refilled.
Safety limits to respect
Keep electrical connections dry and handle the power cord with care. Shut off power to the unit if the manual says to, and follow its instructions for isolating the water supply before you disconnect anything. Do not use household chemicals or bleach in the brine tank unless the manufacturer specifically allows them. If the job requires opening a connection in the plumbing rather than the tank itself, the work has moved toward a technician's territory.
What you can check while the tank is empty
With the tank empty, look at the float, the brine valve, the grid or well screen if one is present, and any hardened salt crust. Note whether the water level settles where the manual says it should. Photograph the tank and its parts before and after you work, so you have a record if a question comes up later.
What a technician adds
A technician can test the unit's settings against your water, check for worn parts that are not visible from the tank, confirm the regeneration schedule still fits the household, and test the water afterward. Ask whether the visit includes a hardness check and a written summary of what was found. Ask also what the company charges if the visit finds nothing wrong, and whether a standard cleaning is quoted separately from repairs.
Deciding between the two
Do it yourself if you have the manual, can shut off power and water safely, have the right tools, and are comfortable putting every part back exactly where it came from. Hire it out if the manual is unclear, the unit is hard to reach, the plumbing needs work, or you want the whole system checked while the tank is open. If you are unsure whether opening the tank affects your warranty, ask the manufacturer or the installer before you start, and get the answer in writing.
Questions for a company that offers the service
- Does the price include disposal of the old salt and a refill?
- Does the visit include checks of the brine valve and float?
- Will you test the water after the cleaning?
- Does the cleaning affect the warranty on the unit?
If you are choosing a company for the work, the company list on Best Water Softener Companies in St. Louis is a place to start your comparison.