5 Types of Salt for Your Water Softener System

Does your skin feel dry after taking a shower? Does your water heater make loud rumbling sounds throughout the day? These signs indicate a common plumbing problem: hard water.

Minerals like calcium and magnesium change the taste of your water and cause dry skin and the inability to lather soap consistently. Hard water sediment deposits can even build up inside your water heater and lead to damage. 

With a whole-home water softener, water from all your faucets will be mineral-free with no scaly buildup. This appliance works with different types of salt for water softeners to rejuvenate your water supply.

For the longevity of your indoor plumbing and the health of those around you, take note of these five types of salt for your water softener system, and put the adverse effects of hard water out to dry for good.

As Bozeman's water softener installation experts, our experienced plumbers install water softeners that eliminate minerals such as calcium and magnesium that cause hard water. At Premier Systems, we can maintain your system with salt, or sodium chloride. Contact us at 406-300-4258 to schedule a plumbing inspection and water softener maintenance.

1. Evaporated Salt

Evaporated salt contains the highest purity rate of all types of salt for water softeners. Through the process of evaporating water and steam, evaporated salt becomes crystallized, and manufacturers sell it in pellet or cube forms for use in water softening systems.

Because of its high purity rate, evaporated salt dissolves efficiently in water. The solubility of evaporated salt prevents clogs in your water tank caused by salt bridges, or the formation of crust that develops in your brine tank due to excessive salt buildup. 

You only need to use evaporated salt when you have very hard water. This includes water containing calcium carbonate levels of 61-120 mg/L or higher, typically found in water in Texas, California, New Mexico, Kansas, and Arizona.

Premier Systems recommends evaporated salt for the maintenance and longevity of your system. Due to its efficiency, evaporated salt is one of the most expensive form of water softener salt available on the market.   

2. Rock Salt

Extracted from underground deposits known as domes or salt mines, rock salt remains one of the most affordable types of salt for water softeners. Rock salt requires very little processing and comes in small rocks or pebble-like shapes.

Because of its underground source, rock salt often contains contaminants from other natural deposits, such as calcium sulfite. Calcium sulfite does not dissolve easily and can cause frequent buildup and clogs in your water tank that may result in costly repairs and maintenance issues over time. This makes rock salt far less effective than other types of salt for water softeners. 

Though rock salt is a highly economical choice, Premier Systems does not always recommend using it for your water softener. Use rock salt if you have moderately hard water or can invest in frequent cleaning of your water softener.

3. Solar Salt

Like the name suggests, solar salt uses renewable energy sources such as solar power to evaporate seawater using the sun, leaving salt crystals. Solar salt has a high solubility rate that works best as a softener for moderately hard water. This eco-friendly salt has many benefits for water softening systems, such as reducing clumping and salt bridges to make cleaning your water tank easier.

While bio-friendly thanks to its straightforward processing method, solar salt still might contain contaminants from other natural deposits that can cause issues with your system. Most solar salt purity rates reach as high as 99.6%, making solar salt readily dissolvable. However, the 0.03% insolubility found in solar salt leaves it the potential to accumulate buildup over time. As far as price vs. performance, solar salt still can’t outcompete evaporated salt.

4. Block Salt 

Block salt in your brine tank can process your water to soften it. This type of salt for water softeners pack a whopping 99.8% salt content of pure water solubility. That means fewer clogs and mush to gum up your water tank. Using block salt prevents buildup and the need for repairs on your system over time.

This salt comes in easy-to-handle blocks at highly affordable prices but requires a more complex initial setup. You must completely submerge block salt in water in order for it to dissolve. This requires raising your brine tank level, so installation costs can vary. For an economic, highly efficient salt for water softeners, block salt may be right for you.   

5. Potassium Chloride 

Not all water softeners need salt to do their job. Potassium chloride makes a safe alternative to sodium chloride, especially if you have a salt sensitivity or are trying to consume less sodium.

99.9% sodium-free, potassium chloride boasts a number of health benefits and remains highly effective for softening any level of hard water. Your system may require adjustments with salt dosage program settings when using potassium chloride, but it softens hard water to reduce scaly buildup, mineral deposits, and dry, itchy skin.

The main drawback of potassium chloride is price: It can be up to five times more expensive than other types of salt for water softeners.

Water softener systems also require more potassium chloride to process the same amount of water as sodium chloride. A bag of potassium chloride pellets is not as affordable as other types of salt for water softeners available on the market.

Contact Us for Hard Water Services

Now that you have an idea of how water softeners work and the types of salt for water softeners, turn to the specialists who can help choose the right water softener system for you. Premier Systems offers proven experience installing and repairing water softener systems for homes and businesses. We provide 24/7 emergency services as well as maintenance plans to keep your system running efficiently and free of hard water, all year round. 

Is hard water affecting your indoor plumbing system? For free estimates and quality water softener service in Bozeman, MT, call Premier Systems at 406-300-4258 today.