3 Easy Tips For Storing Your Water Softener Salt
Storing water softener salt is fairly straightforward, although, depending on the size of the bags they might be a bit clunky, it usually comes in sealed plastic bags and is virtually imperishable.
However, as it will eventually come in contact with or end up in your drinking water, and salt is a highly corrosive substance, here are some top tips to keep in mind when storing your salt to avoid any issues.
Things To Keep In Mind When Storing Water Softener Salt
If the bags are stored unopened most storage options will do but when bags are left out in the open here are some things to keep in mind to avoid any damage or contamination of your water supply.
Store In Dry Conditions
Salt is hygroscopicA substance that absorbs moisture from the air, therefore if left in humid conditions over time it will soak up all moisture from the air.
As the moisture is soaked up the salt will start clumping together. This can cause difficulties when refilling your brine tank as it can be hard to break apart the clumped-up pieces.
Eventually, this crystallization or clumping together can also cause problems within your water softener system.
As the brine tank fills up with bigger clumped together pieces of salt the surface contact between the salt and water is reduced. This can lead to a lower salt concentration within your brine tank, thereby reducing the effectiveness of your system.
Secondly, the salt can start bridging more easily which could eventually cause your system to completely stop functioning by interrupting the water flow in your brine tank or clogging up your system with salt.
Avoid Contamination By Rodents Or Other Sources
When you use water softener salt in your system part of it will come in direct contact with or even end up in your drinking water. Therefore, you should keep in mind to keep any outside contaminants like rodents away.
If left unopened some rodents might get into a bag to lick your salt and meanwhile might defecate onto your salt storage. Thus, it is best to keep your salt stored in a closed-off location.
This will also protect it from any leakage or spillage from nearby equipment or other sources.
Don't Store Near Bare Metal Surfaces
While salt itself is a pretty stable compound, when mixed with air and water is can have devastating effects on any surrounding metal surfaces.
You might be familiar with salt-induced rust if you live in a coastal area. Chloride ions in the air are detrimental to any untreated metallic surface. So if it's moisty and warm everything that can, will rust.
Don't Store Salt On Top Of Your Water Softener
Be sure not to store your water softener salt on top of your water softener or its brine tank cover, doing so might deform or damage the cover or tank. This could allow for openings starting to form allowing contaminants into your homes' water supply.
Ideas For Storing Your Water Softener Salt
Plastic container - This will keep your salt dry and sealed from contaminants even if you have opened bags because they don't fit in your brine tank in one go.
They are cheap, stackable, easily accessible, and available in any size needed.
De-icing container - Made specifically for storing and dispensing ice melt, which is nothing more than salt. This will keep the salt nicely sealed off from any outside contaminants and also makes refilling your brine tank a piece of cake!
Plastic drum - Can hold large quantities, and are easy to seal off. Can handle rough environments.
Materials To Avoid When Storing Water Softener Salt
If you are thinking about other or solutions or want to create one for yourself most materials will do fine. Although, as mentioned it is best to avoid any untreated metals.
If the area is sealed off from the environment even a concrete floor will do nicely when storing your water softener salt.
Does Water Softener Salt Expire
If stored in dry conditions and sealed off from contaminants, water softener salt will never expire or spoil and last indefinitely.
However, the packaging, often plastic bags, will deteriorate over time due to heat or light exposure. This can be avoided by storing your water softener salt in a cool and dark place.