Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Not chevelle related but every chevelle owner should know!

Lost in the 60s · President

Very good logic on the cost savings.
Nice to repair, rather than replace.
Our "new" place need a new softener too. I bought a kit online and assembled it myself. Been working great for 3 years...

John D · 2K+ Club

Amazing how much a little "mechanical horse-sense" & troubleshooting can save you!

This applies to softeners that have the integral salt hopper...
One thing to remember for those who have a softener in their water system is to be aware of a "salt bridge". The pile of salt in the hopper can get wet/moist, and form a domed crust (like an igloo), preventing fresh salt from falling down and replenishing the "brine" in the bottom.
(It's easiest to do this when the salt level is low)
Use a broomstick and carefully probe down through the salt. Don't use too much force, as there's mechanisms & gizmos in the bottom of the tank. The broomstick should go down nearly as deep as the hopper. If it stops more than a few inches up from the bottom, there's probably a "bridge" of salt. Give it a few pokes with the broomstick to break it up, recheck your depth again with the stick.

Jon H · 1K+ Club

John D wrote:
Amazing how much a little "mechanical horse-sense" & troubleshooting can save you!

This applies to softeners that have the integral salt hopper...
One thing to remember for those who have a softener in their water system is to be aware of a "salt bridge". The pile of salt in the hopper can get wet/moist, and form a domed crust (like an igloo), preventing fresh salt from falling down and replenishing the "brine" in the bottom.
(It's easiest to do this when the salt level is low)
Use a broomstick and carefully probe down through the salt. Don't use too much force, as there's mechanisms & gizmos in the bottom of the tank. The broomstick should go down nearly as deep as the hopper. If it stops more than a few inches up from the bottom, there's probably a "bridge" of salt. Give it a few pokes with the broomstick to break it up, recheck your depth again with the stick.

When I started traveling all winter the salt bridging was always an issue. One of the Culligan techs I got to know told me to change from salt "tablets" to salt "crystals" and I would never have an issue. I switched and have not had an issue since.

Lost in the 60s · President

Yep, the crystals dissolve much better than the tablets. Learned that many years ago too I, also, have a self feeding res cleaner on mine. Our softener stopped working at our previous house and was advised by the installer to add one then. It took a few sequential cycles to get the res bed cleaned enough to function again and it got back "like new" in a few months. Have had one ever since.