5 Minutes a Month
Salt Is the Main Cost
Annual Service £60–£120
Three things to stay on top of. None of them take more than 5 minutes.
Check salt levels once a month. Block salt: slide in a new pair when the old ones are mostly dissolved. Tablet salt: pour in half a bag when the tank drops below half. Takes under 2 minutes.
A professional checks the resin, cleans the brine system, tests water hardness output, and inspects all connections. Typically £60–£120. Most installers offer service plans at the time of fitting.
Limescale returning on taps, higher-than-usual salt consumption, or error lights on the display panel. Any of these mean it’s time to call your installer for a check.
Want a softener with a service plan included? Many of our installers bundle annual servicing into the quote.
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Common questions about upkeep and servicing.
An annual service check is recommended. This includes inspecting the resin bed, cleaning the brine tank (if applicable), checking the bypass valve, and testing the output water hardness. Most installers offer annual service plans for £60-£120.
The main thing is keeping the salt topped up. Check monthly and add salt when levels drop below half. Occasionally wipe down the exterior and check for any drips around the connections. Everything else should be left to a professional.
Every 4-8 weeks for a typical household. Block salt users slide in a new pair of blocks; tablet salt users pour in a bag. Your softener will have a low-salt indicator light or display. Set a monthly reminder until you learn your household rhythm.
The ion-exchange resin typically lasts 10-15 years. Signs it needs replacing: water starts feeling hard again despite regular salt top-ups, or the softener is using noticeably more salt than usual. Your service engineer can test the resin condition.
The softener continues to pass water through but without softening it. No damage to the unit or your plumbing. Simply add salt and trigger a manual regeneration cycle. Soft water returns within a few hours.
Compare installers who bundle servicing, salt delivery, and warranty support into one price.