Tips to winterize your water softener

The leaves have changed and some have fallen, and the air now has a brisk bite. You’re preparing to say goodbye for now to a good friend, the summer house, but you must get it ready for the long cold winter Michigan is known for. You’ve done all the necessary preparations to keep it safe from intruders and animals, but have you thought about how to protect your home from itself during the season? Returning to your beloved summer getaway to find a pipe had broken can put a damper on your relaxing vacation. Follow these preventative measures when winterizing your home to keep it dry in the winter and ready for fun when summer rolls back around.

Water Softener Winterization

Northern Michigan and Traverse City is popular summer destination for local Michiganders and outsiders alike. However, when the warm summer days are shoved aside by the fall and winter months, the freezing temperatures drive families away leaving cottages and vacation homes vacant. Winterizing your water softener and getting it ready for the off-season will take time and effort, but it will be well worth it when the warmth returns. To maintain and protect your vacation home during the off-season, winterization of your residential water treatment system is a must. Follow these steps to ensure your water softener is protected and the risk of freezing is avoided.

• Turn off the water to the water softener by locating the main shut-off valve coming into the house.
• In order to vent the water pressure, open the kitchen sink and bathroom faucets.
• For water softeners with a single by-pass valve, move the stem to the by-pass position. If you have a 3-valve bypass system, you’ll need to close the inlet and outlet valve. If you’re unsure of the type of water softener system you have, feel free to contact us for help.
• Unplug the transformer from the wall outlet.
• Remove the large holding clips very carefully at the softener inlet and outlet and separate the softener from the adaptors or by-pass valve.
• Remove the brine well cover and disconnect the brine valve tubing at the nozzle. Lift the brine valve out of the well, then tip it upside down for draining.
• We suggest laying two thick wood strips down on both sides of the drain. Shut off the main water valve, then turn off the water pump and the water heater. Slowly lay the softener down so the rim is securely on the wood strip and the inlet and outlet are over the drain.
• Gently lift the tank from the bottom, allowing it to drain completely.
• Leave it on its side until the season has passed and you’re ready to use it again. Also, be sure to plug the inlet and outlet to prevent rodents, dirt and other foreign objects from getting in.

Take a moment to congratulate yourself on a job well done! Preparing your home for the winter months by taking the necessary steps to winterize your water softener can be a time-consuming task, but you’ll be glad you did once the weather begins to warm up again. If you run into any issues or need any assistance with your water softener winterization, be sure to contact Kinetico Northern Michigan. Winterize your home now to fully enjoy it when you return in a few months’ time.